Goalkeeper Dang Van Lam said the AFF Cup final first leg, where Vietnam earned a 2-2 draw against Thailand, was an “amazing game” and that he is confident of a victory in the second leg.
“The game today was amazing,” Lam said after the match in Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium Friday night.
“Looking at it from an optimistic point of view, I think 2-2 draw is a good result.”
According to the away goal rule, Thailand now have the advantage. Vietnam will need to win or earn a draw of at least 3-3 in the second leg to win the championship, while Thailand will only need a goalless or 1-1 draw.
Lam said he believes in a triumphant result for Vietnam.
“Together we will certainly win the second leg,” Lam said. “I and everyone else are confident.”
The 2-2 draw on Friday ended Lam’s streak of six straight clean matches at AFF Cup 2022.
The 30-year-old successfully blocked all scoring attempts from Laos, Malaysia, Singapore, and Myanmar in the group stage, and Indonesia in the semifinals.
Vietnam opened the scoring on Friday night after center-back Que Ngoc Hai in an attack down the right flank crossed a great ball for Nguyen Tien Linh, who headed it in.
But early into the second half, Theerathon Bunmathan made a long pass for Poramet Aejwirai, who got past Ngoc Hai before finishing powerfully to equalize for Thailand.
Bunmathan contributed again to Thailand’s second goal 17 minutes later with a through ball for Sarach Yooyen, who finished cleanly to complete the comeback.
Vu Van Thanh equalized for Vietnam with a thunderous strike, four minutes after coming on as a substitution in the 88th minute.
Vietnam will leave for Thailand Saturday afternoon to prepare for the final’s second leg, which will be hosted on Thammasat Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Monday.
source: vnexpress