Van Duc opened the scoring, and Vietnam won the international friendly tournament.

Phan Văn Đức's joy after scoring the opening goal of the match. Photo: Như Đạt

The match between Vietnam and India is considered the final of the tournament because, after the first round, both teams remained undefeated against opponents from Southeast Asia. Specifically, Igor Stimac's team drew 1-1 against Singapore, while host nation Vietnam easily defeated the team from the island nation with a score of 4-0. With that result, Coach Park's players only needed to avoid defeat to win the Hung Thinh Cup International Friendly Tournament.

In the past, Vietnam was defeated by India with a score of 3-0. However, coach Park Hang-seo's players have made significant progress and are considered by experts to be a clash between two teams of equal caliber.

Quang Hai was included in the starting lineup for the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Nhu Dat

What Vietnamese fans were waiting for in this match was the return of Quang Hai to the national team, after the former Hanoi FC midfielder moved to Paul FC. In addition, key players such as Van Duc, Cong Phuong, Tien Linh, and Que Ngoc Hai were also in the starting lineup.

Cong Phuong didn't score but played quite actively in this match. Photo: Nhu Dat

Despite having a host of talented players, Vietnam wasn't the team that took the initiative when the ball was in play. It was India who played quite smoothly and launched diverse attacks. However, Igor Stimac's team couldn't maintain that advantage for long. Thanks to the mobility of Van Duc, Cong Phuong, and Quang Hai, Vietnam created many varied and dynamic attacking combinations.

In the 11th minute of the match, from a tricky corner kick by Cong Phuong, the Indian defender had to clear the ball, which landed at the feet of Van Duc. The Song Lam Nghe An midfielder struck a powerful volley, beating goalkeeper Singh Sandhu and opening the scoring for Vietnam.

Van Duc played brilliantly, creating a dominant game for the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Nhu Dat

In this match, Van Duc played more centrally than before. This style of play showcased the sharp ball control and creative abilities of the Song Lam Nghe An midfielder. In many situations, the Vietnamese number 20 confidently dribbled the ball through the center, then threaded a pass into the space between the opposing center-back and wing-back for Cong Phuong. However, in the final moments, the Hoang Anh Gia Lai striker was unable to convert these opportunities into goals.

The Vietnamese team displayed an increasingly fluid and composed style of play, only accelerating at crucial moments. This style of play demonstrates the remarkable maturity of Coach Park's players after participating in major tournaments.

Que Ngoc Hai remains the leader in the Vietnamese national team's defense. Photo: Nhu Dat

Before the first 45 minutes ended, with a bit more luck, Tan Tai could have doubled Vietnam's lead. The Binh Dinh defender unleashed a diagonal shot, but the ball went wide of goalkeeper Singh Sandhu's goal.

In the second half, Vietnam maintained their dominance over their opponents. Van Toan was the first player substituted into the game. The striker from the mountain town club made several speedy runs to threaten the opponent's goal. After creating several dangerous situations for India, in the 50th minute, Van Toan doubled Vietnam's lead. From a pass from the home team's players, defender Anwar Ali failed to clear the ball properly, allowing Van Toan to sprint forward and finish, beating goalkeeper Singh Sandhu.

Van Toan scored to increase Vietnam's lead to 2-0. Photo: Nhu Dat

After taking a two-goal lead, coach Park Hang-seo decided to rest his key players and continue experimenting with reserve players. Specifically, Van Quyet replaced Van Duc, and Tuan Anh replaced Tan Tai.

Van Quyet sealed the 3-0 victory for the Vietnamese national team. Photo: Nhu Dat

Coming on as a substitute, Van Quyet proved his class by increasing Vietnam's lead to 3-0. The Hanoi FC captain received a cross from a teammate on the right wing, controlled the ball well, bypassed the opposing defense, and then unleashed a powerful shot that beat Singh Sandhu.

In the final minutes of the match, Vietnam deliberately slowed down the pace of the game and no longer maintained the same pressure on the opponent's half as before. Therefore, the final result was a resounding 3-0 victory for Vietnam against India, securing the championship title at the Hung Thinh Cup International Friendly Tournament.