Highlights of the Vietnam - Thailand match

1. Hong Duy's mistake

Hong Duy (number 7) made a mistake that led to Chanathip Songkrasin's opening goal. Photo: Doc Lap

From a pass from Thanawat Suengchitthawon after a quick counter-attack, the player wearing the number 7 jersey of the Vietnam National Team slipped, allowing Chanathip Songkrasin to face goalkeeper Nguyen Manh. Unfortunately, the clearance from the Nghe An goalkeeper in a passive situation hit the "Thai Messi" and made the home team's net explode. The disastrous slip of the left-back, who is currently playing for HAGL, in the 14th minute was considered the turning point of the match.

2. The class of "Thai Messi"

Striker Chanathip Songkrasin (number 18) had a great match. Photo: The Vu

Despite missing a penalty (blocked by Nguyen Manh), Chanathip Songkrasin still deserved to be the best player of the match. With two goals and dancing with the ball to torment the defense of the Vietnam team, the player wearing the number 18 shirt has proven his class as a star playing in the J.League. To successfully reverse the situation in the second leg of the semi-final, the defenders of the Vietnam team must neutralize Chanathip Songkrasin.

3. Quang Hai is too "unlucky"

Quang Hai (number 19) was the "unluckiest" player in the first leg of the semi-final against the Thai team. Photo: Leo Shengwei

In contrast to Chanathip Songkrasin of the Thai team, Quang Hai had an unlucky match. First was a beautiful free kick that bounced the ball into the post, leaving goalkeeper Chatchai Burprom helpless (minute 34). Next was a powerful and tricky shot that bounced the ball into the crossbar of the opposing team's goal (minute 67). If only 1 of those 2 shots had scored against the Thai team, the chances for the Vietnamese team in the second leg of the semi-finals would have been much higher.

4. Serious mistake of the referee team

The Qatari referee team was one of the reasons why Coach Park Hang-seo's team had to accept defeat in the last match. If referee Saoud Ali Al-Adba had handled the matter more accurately and fairly, he would have given two red cards to left-back Theerathon Bunmathan (for hitting Quang Hai) and goalkeeper Chatchai Burprom (for fouling Van Toan). In addition, this referee also ignored the situation where a defender from the Thai team fouled Quang Hai in the 16m50 area (minute 90 + 2).

5. Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh clings to hope

Goalkeeper Nguyen Manh (yellow shirt) catches the ball right in front of Supachok Sarachat's shoe. Photo: Getty

The goalkeeper from Nghe An successfully blocked Chanathip Songkrasin's penalty kick, not only causing the Thai team to "lose" the goal to increase the score to 3 - 0, but also giving coach Park Hang-seo and his team more hope in the second leg of the semi-finals, taking place on December 26. It would not be an exaggeration to say that goalkeeper Nguyen Manh's save was worth the equivalent of a goal. Objectively speaking, the goalkeeper currently playing for Viettel Club has completed the assigned task quite excellently.

Thus, the first leg of the semi-final between the Vietnamese team and the Thai team ended in disappointment for Coach Park Hang-seo and his team, especially due to the inaccurate and unfair decisions of the "black shirts". However, Nguyen Manh and his teammates still have the second leg of the semi-final to create a miraculous comeback.