Vietnam at the ASEAN Championship

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Vietnam at the ASEAN Championship
Hanoi people took to the streets to celebrate Vietnam's second AFF Championship win in December 15, 2018.
Basic information
CompetitionASEAN Championship
Country Vietnam
SportAssociation football
Team levelNational team
Competition process
Medal
W RU 3rd Total
3 2 7 12
First season1996
Total season15
Game played84
Record (W–D–L)45–23–16
Goals for182
Goals against82
Nortable matches2008 Final
2018 Final
2024 Final
Team record
Best resultChampions (2008, 2018, 2024)
Worst resultGroup stage (2004, 2012)
Other record
  • x4 MVP Award (1998, 2008, 2018, 2024)
  • x1 Top scorer (2022)
  • x1 Fair Play Award (2014)

The Vietnam national football team, representing a unified Vietnam since 1975, participated in the ASEAN Championship for the first time in 1996 AFF Championship, the very first edition of the tournament held in Singapore. Since then, Vietnam has become one of the most successful and consistent teams in Southeast Asia's biggest football tournament.

Having gone through many stages of development, from the hesitant first steps under foreign coaches like Karl-Heinz Weigang, to the glorious golden age under Henrique Calisto and Park Hang-seo, Vietnam has affirmed its position as a leading force. With its versatile playing style, courageous fighting spirit, and enthusiastic support from fans, the "Golden Star Warriors" have created numerous shocks and moments of overwhelming emotion in stadiums across the region. Vietnam currently boasts an impressive record with three championships in 2008, 2018, and 2024, along with many appearances in the semi-finals and finals, maintaining its position as one of the strongest teams in ASEAN football.

In the inaugural tournament in 1996, Vietnam surprisingly won the bronze medal after defeating Indonesia.[1] However, the most memorable moment during this period was the 1998 tournament held on home soil. Under the guidance of coach Alfred Riedl, the "Golden Generation," featuring players like Hong Son and Huynh Duc, defeated Thailand 3-0 in the semi-finals. Despite this, Vietnam suffered a heartbreaking 0-1 defeat to Singapore in the final due to a goal by Sasi Kumar's shoulder, missing out on their first championship title. In the 2000, 2002, and 2004 tournaments, the team maintained consistent performance but often stopped at the semi-finals or group stage.

2008 marked a historic milestone when Vietnam won the Southeast Asian Championship for the first time. After a difficult start in the group stage, coach Henrique Calisto's team played brilliantly, overcoming Singapore in the semi-finals before defeating Thailand with a 3-2 aggregate score over two legs in the final. Le Cong Vinh's header in the final minute of injury time at My Dinh Stadium became a classic moment in Vietnamese football.[2] However, for almost a decade afterward (2010–2016), the team fell into a crisis and repeatedly lost in the semi-finals against Malaysia and Indonesia.

The arrival of South Korean manager Park Hang-seo at the end of 2017 completely changed the team's standing. At the 2018 AFF Championship, Vietnam demonstrated absolute dominance with a pragmatic and disciplined playing style. The team won their second championship after defeating Malaysia in the second leg of the final in Hanoi thanks to a single goal from Nguyễn Anh Đức. This was the tournament where Vietnam set a record for the longest clean sheet and affirmed their number one position in the region on the FIFA rankings.[3]

At the 2020 tournament (held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast Asia), Vietnam officially lost to Thailand in the semi-finals with a total score of 0–2. In 2022 – the final tournament under coach Park Hang-seo – the team reached the final but once again suffered a defeat against Thailand with a total score of 2–3, finishing as runners-up. After a turbulent transition period under coach Philippe Troussier, Vietnamese football entered a new era under the leadership of strategist Kim Sang-sik.

The historical turning point occurred at the 2024 ASEAN Championship. With cohesive play and high determination, the Vietnamese team displayed convincing form from the group stage. After overcoming their long-standing rivals in the semi-finals, Vietnam advanced to the final and defeated Thailand to win their third Southeast Asian championship title. This victory not only helps Vietnam regain its balance with regional rivals but also marks the strong return of domestic football to the international football map after many years of waiting.

Overview

Outstanding season

References

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