ASEAN Championship
Yotsakon Burapha struck in the 12th minute to pull Thailand back into the tie after losing 2-0 in the first leg in Bangkok but an own goal by Chatchai Bootprom saw Vietnam level in the 52nd minute, three minutes after Thailand’s Kakana Khamyol had fired a penalty over the bar.
Wanchai Jarunongkran gave Thailand late hope when he netted in the 84th minute, only to put the ball in his own net with virtually the last kick of the game to hand Vietnam a draw that completed their title defence.
Trailing by two goals from the first leg, Anthony Hudson’s side needed to find a way back into the tie and, by the 12th minute, the visitors had halved the overall deficit.
Waris Choolthong delivered the ball from the right into Seksa Ratree and his first-time layoff was thumped low and hard past Patrk Le Giang, beating the Vietnam goalkeeper low and to his right.
The Thais continued to dominate throughout the first period despite seeing Nguyen Xuan Son hit the post with a header as Seksan volleyed over the bar and Kakana hit the side-netting as a second appeared inevitable for the War Elephants.
Four minutes into the second half the Thais were given the opportunity to pull level on aggregate when Kakana was hauled down in the penalty area by Pham Xuan Manh only for the Port FC midfielder to thump the resulting spot-kick high over the bar.
The visitors were to pay a heavy price for that miss three minutes later. Phan Tuan Tai bent his cross from the left into the unmarked Do Hoang Hen and, while his first-time shot hit the post, the rebound crossed the line via the heel of the unfortunate Chatchai.
Nguyen Hai Long hit the post as Vietnam sought to exploit Thailand’s increasing desperation to score again but, with six minutes left, Wanchai powered his low strike cross Patrik and into the bottom corner and give the Thais hope.
But it was to count for little as the substitute then crashed the ball into his own net deep into stoppage time for Vietnam to claim the title for a fourth time.
Photos: Vietnam Football Federation/Supakit/Changsuek
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