History of confrontations between Thailand and Vietnam: We hold the advantage.
The match between Thailand and Vietnam in the AFF Cup final is always the focal point of Southeast Asian football.
With a history of intense rivalry and top form, the return match on January 5, 2025, at Rajamangala Stadium promises to write a new chapter in the dramatic story between the two teams.
History of confrontations: The balance tips in favor of Vietnam.
In the last five head-to-head matches, Thailand won two, Vietnam won one, and the remaining two ended in a draw. However, recent results are increasingly favoring Vietnam.
In particular, the 2-1 victory on January 2nd, 2025, proved that the Vietnamese coach and his team were not intimidated by the team considered the "king" of Southeast Asia. The first-leg victory was not only a turning point in terms of the score but also provided a huge morale boost for Coach Kim Sang Sik and his team.
| Day | Match | Result |
| 26/12/21 | Thailand - Vietnam | 0-0 |
| 13/01/23 | Vietnam - Thailand | 2-2 |
| 16/01/23 | Thailand - Vietnam | 1-0 |
| 10/09/24 | Vietnam - Thailand | 1-2 |
| 02/01/25 | Vietnam - Thailand | 2-1 |
Performance in the last 5 matches
Thailand
| Day | Match | Result |
| 17/12/24 | Singapore - Thailand | 2-4 |
| 20/12/24 | Thailand - Cambodia | 3-2 |
| 27/12/24 | Philippines - Thailand | 2-1 |
| 30/12/24 | Thailand - Philippines | 3-1 |
| 02/01/25 | Vietnam - Thailand | 2-1 |
Vietnam
| Day | Match | Result |
| 18/12/24 | Philippines - Vietnam | 1-1 |
| 21/12/24 | Vietnam - Myanmar | 5-0 |
| 26/12/24 | Singapore - Vietnam | 0-2 |
| 29/12/24 | Vietnam - Singapore | 3-1 |
| 02/01/25 | Vietnam - Thailand | 2-1 |
Vietnam currently boasts an impressive 80% win rate in their last 5 matches, including dominant victories against Myanmar (5-0) and Singapore (3-1, 2-0). The team has demonstrated effectiveness in implementing a counter-attacking defensive style of play, with Xuân Sơn leading the scoring charts in the tournament with 7 goals.
The clash between Thailand and Vietnam is not just a battle for honor, but also carries strategic significance in asserting their position in Southeast Asia. While Thailand remains a strong opponent, Vietnam, with its high form and fighting spirit, is becoming a real challenge.
The recent victory not only helped Vietnam narrow the gap in head-to-head records but also strengthened the fans' confidence. This could be a stepping stone for the team to go further in international tournaments.
Force information
Before the second leg, Vietnam suffered a setback as both Van Toan and Ho Tan Tai were unable to play due to injury. However, the team still had Xuan Son – who was expected to continue making a difference with his high performance.
Meanwhile, Thailand boasts its strongest squad with the return of stars like Suphanat and Suphachok. Coach Mano Polking's team will play offensively to equalize the score, while Vietnam is expected to stick to a defensive counter-attacking strategy – a style that proved highly effective in the first leg.
Predicted lineup and score prediction
Thailand: Khammai; Hemviboon, Mickelson, Bureerat, Aukkee; Panya, Weidersjoe, Davis, Pumwiset; Ratree, Gustavsson.
Vietnam: Dinh Trieu; Tien Anh, Tien Dung, Thanh Chung, Duy Manh, Xuan Manh; Hoang Duc, Ngoc Tan, Hai Long; Vi Hao, Xuan Son.
Vietnam has won the AFF Cup twice (2008, 2018), and they now have a great opportunity to win their third title in history. The second leg of the final at Rajamangala Stadium will certainly be difficult, but with their lead and sound tactics, coach Kim Sang Sik's team can absolutely make history.
Predicted result: 1-1
A draw would be enough for Vietnam to win the AFF Cup 2024, bringing immense pride to fans after a 27-year wait for an away victory against Thailand.
