8 things learned after Vietnam destroyed Laos at AFF Cup 2024

Here are the highlights of the match:

1. Difficult first half, explosive second half

Vietnam controlled the game with 70% possession in the first half but were unable to convert their chances into goals. In the second half, coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical changes paid off, helping the visitors score four goals in a row.

2. Hai Long and Van Vi shine

Hai Long and Van Vi, two rookies participating in the AFF Cup for the first time, scored important goals in the second half. Hai Long opened the scoring with a beautiful volley in the 58th minute, while Van Vi scored the fourth goal with a powerful long-range shot in the 82nd minute, affirming the contributions of the new faces.

3. Van Toan breaks the scoring streak

After nearly a year without scoring, Van Toan scored an important goal, helping the Vietnamese team lead 3-0. This was his first goal since November 2023, marking an impressive return.

4. Tien Linh continues to show stable performance

Tien Linh, the main striker of the Vietnamese team, continued to leave his mark when he scored to increase the score to 2-0. His cool finish after Quang Hai's assist showed his sharpness and experience in important matches.

5. Coach Kim Sang-sik's tactical flexibility

Coach Kim effectively used versatile players like Hai Long and Van Vi, helping the team flexibly switch between 3-4-3, 3-5-2 and 4-3-3 formations. This was an important factor that brought about a breakthrough in the second half.

6. Weaknesses from new faces

Besides the shining rookies, there are still names that have not met expectations. Dinh Trieu made a mistake that led to Laos' penalty, and Ngoc Tan has not shown his role as a "sweeper" in the midfield. Both need more time to adapt.

7. For the first time in 26 years, Vietnam let Laos score.

Bounphachan Bounkong's successful penalty kick in the 90+5 minute marked the first time since 1998 that Vietnam conceded a goal to Laos in an official match. This is something to note to improve the defense.

8. Vietnam rises to the top of Group B

The 4-1 victory over Laos helped Vietnam temporarily top Group B thanks to a superior goal difference. With an impressive performance, the "Golden Star Warriors" are sending a strong message about their ambition to conquer the championship this year.

The victory over Laos not only means a favorable start but also shows the harmonious combination of old and new elements in the Vietnamese squad. This promises to be the premise for the next explosive matches at the AFF Cup 2024.