ASEAN Championship
Substitute Hai Long broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute with a coolly finish before Quang Hai doubled his side’s advantage with a clinical volley on the run after Do Hoang Hen’s curling cross from the right.
The teams will face off again in Hanoi on Wednesday with the Vietnamese attempting to win back-to-back titles for the first time and a fourth title in total. Thailand have won the competition a record seven times.
After a tentative opening, Nguyen Dinh Bac squandered a gilt-edged opportunity to put Vietnam in front in the 33rd minute, the 21-year-old scuffing his shot from inside the area when found unmarked by Do Hoang Hen’s cutback.
Patrik Le Giang kept the scores level at the other end with an acrobatic save to prevent Yotsakon Burapha’s shot from finding the top corner while the Chonburi FC forward should have done better in the final minute of the half.
Thailand hit the Vietnamese on the counterattack with Teerasak Poeiphimai finding Yotsakon unmarked on the left only for the youngster to rush his shot and thump left-footed over the bar.
The hosts were to rue those misses 17 minutes into the second half when Vietnam went in front. Doan Van Hau thumped the ball long to Dinh Bac and, after holding off the Thai defence, back-heeled the ball into Hai Long’s path and he slotted in.
Seven minutes later the Vietnamese had added a second, Hoang Hen spotting Quang Hai arriving unmarked on the far side and sending a cross towards the far side that the Cong An Ha Noi midfielder gratefully volley home, beating Kampon Phatomakkakul at his near post.
Photos: Vietnam Football Federation
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