The "bests" of the Vietnamese national team at the AFF Cup

Join Nghe An Newspaper in discovering the "bests" of the Vietnamese national team in Singapore, the host country of the tournament.

1. Most appearances

Nguyen Hoang Duc (number 14) just had a rather impressive AFF Cup campaign. Photo: VNN

Central midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc was the player with the most appearances at the 2020 AFF Cup.Vietnam national teamAccording to statistics, the player currently under contract with Viettel has appeared in all 6 matches of the Vietnamese National Team at this year's AFF Cup, totaling 498 minutes. In those 498 minutes on the field, Nguyen Hoang Duc scored 1 goal and provided 2 assists.

2. Top scorer

Nguyen Quang Hai (number 19) scored 2 goals at the 2020 AFF Cup. Photo: Leo Shengwei

The attacking trio of Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Cong Phuong, and Nguyen Tien Linh each scored two goals at the 2020 AFF Cup. Unfortunately, in the two semi-final matches against Thailand, all three strikers were goalless. Nguyen Quang Hai, in particular, left fans disappointed with two shots hitting the post and crossbar of the Thai goal (first leg of the semi-final).

3. Most constructed

Right-back Ho Tan Tai (number 13) also provided two assists. Photo: AFP

This "title" was shared equally among four players: Ho Tan Tai, Nguyen Tuan Anh, Nguyen Hoang Duc, and Nguyen Quang Hai, all with two successful assists (the remaining assist belonged to Nguyen Phong Hong Duy). Thus, Nguyen Quang Hai was the player with the most contributions to Vietnam's goals, scoring two goals and providing two assists.

4. Only one penalty kick was awarded.

Vu Van Thanh was the player who missed the only penalty for the Vietnamese national team at the 2020 AFF Cup. Photo: Dung Phuong

In the 75th minute of the match between the Vietnam national team and the Laos national team in the group stage, Vu Van Thanh was entrusted with taking a penalty kick for his team. Despite not being under much pressure, the defender, currently playing for HAGL, took a weak shot, allowing the Laos goalkeeper to easily save it. That was also the only time in the 2020 AFF Cup that the Vietnam national team was awarded a penalty kick.

5. Only one penalty was awarded.

Tran Nguyen Manh successfully saved Chanathip Songkrasin's penalty kick. (Photo: Archival image)

Not only did the Vietnamese national team have a modest number of penalties awarded, but they were also one of the teams that conceded the fewest penalties at the 2020 AFF Cup. The only situation where goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh faced an opposing player from the penalty spot was in the first leg of the semi-final against Thailand. And the goalkeeper, currently playing for Viettel, was the one who won.

6. Lost only 1 match.

Coach Park Hang-seo and his team exited the AFF Cup 2020 with only one defeat, against Thailand in the first leg of the semi-final. Photo: VNN

The 0-2 defeat against Thailand in the first leg of the semi-final was Vietnam's only loss in the tournament currently taking place in Singapore. Furthermore, it is also the only loss to date for Coach Park Hang-seo's team against any Southeast Asian team. This is a very proud achievement for Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates.