History of confrontations between Vietnam and Thailand: Vietnam has not won since 2021.

Let's take a look back at the head-to-head history, recent form, and key information ahead of the first leg of the 2024 AFF Cup final.

Head-to-head history: Vietnam has yet to surpass Thailand.

Since 2021, in their last five encounters, Vietnam has never won against Thailand. Specifically, the Vietnamese team drew two matches and lost three against their Thai opponents. Most recently, on September 10, 2024, Vietnam lost 1-2 at home to Thailand, further extending their winless streak in direct confrontations.

History shows that Thailand has always been a formidable opponent, even considered a "nemesis" of Vietnamese football. In recent AFF Cup tournaments, Thailand defeated Vietnam in both the 2020 AFF Cup semi-final and the 2022 AFF Cup final, leaving Vietnamese fans with a sense of regret.

Head-to-head records show Thailand's dominance over Vietnam. Despite the Vietnamese team's significant progress over the past decade, Thailand has maintained stability and composure in crucial matches. This partly explains why Thailand consistently wins in direct encounters.

Thailand is not only strong physically and technically, but also excels in controlling the game. This allows them to maintain an advantage even when playing away from home. Conversely, the Vietnamese team, despite having home advantage in many matches, has yet to break through, partly due to psychological pressure and partly because their playing style lacks variety.

Form in the last 5 matches

Vietnam national team

Thailand national team

Team news ahead of the first leg of the final.

Vietnam: The team suffered a major setback as defenders Ho Tan Tai and Vu Van Thanh are unable to play due to injuries. However, with the home advantage, coach Kim Sang Sik's team still aims for a victory to gain an advantage before the return match.

Thailand: The team from the Land of Smiles has its strongest squad. Coach Masatada Ishii expressed confidence, asserting that his team would win in Vietnam.

Analysis and score prediction

Although the head-to-head history favors Thailand, the first leg of the final at home in Viet Tri presents an opportunity for the Vietnamese team to change the course of the game. Coach Kim Sang Sik's squad is in high form, having convincingly defeated Singapore 3-1 in the second leg of the semi-final. However, Vietnam also faces significant personnel losses as Ho Tan Tai and Vu Van Thanh are unavailable due to injuries.

To gain an advantage going into the second leg, Vietnam needs to maximize their home advantage and exploit Thailand's weaknesses, especially their fatigue after the tense semi-final match against the Philippines. The players need to maintain their morale, seize opportunities, and stay focused to seek a historic victory.

Based on their current form and home advantage, many experts predict Vietnam can win at least 2-1 in the first leg of the final. However, to overcome their "nemesis" Thailand and lift the championship trophy, the Vietnamese players need more than just a good performance – they need perseverance, composure, and a sound strategy.

The history of the Vietnam-Thailand rivalry is an emotional journey, where each match is not just a battle on the field but also a source of pride for both nations. Can the Vietnamese team change history this time? The answer will be revealed after 90 minutes at Viet Tri Stadium!

Football match preview: Vietnam vs Thailand in the AFF Cup 2024, taking place at 8:00 PM on January 2nd. Nghe An Newspaper analyzes form, predicted lineups, and forecasts the score.