Vietnam 2-0 Laos: Penalty in the 68th minute and hopes for the Asian Cup.
Xuan Son's penalty in the 68th minute broke the deadlock, and Tuan Hai sealed the 2-0 victory in injury time after coach Kim Sang-sik made four substitutions. Indonesian and Malaysian newspapers praised Laos and pointed out Vietnam's wasteful finishing.
A cool penalty kick from Xuan Son in the 68th minute pulled Vietnam out of a deadlock in Vientiane, before Tuan Hai sealed a 2-0 victory in injury time. The three points helped Vietnam maintain their pursuit in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, but the performance left many questions about its attacking prowess.
The crucial moment: the penalty that changed the course of the game.
Vietnam controlled most of the game but were thwarted by Laos's deep, disciplined defense. Two clear scoring opportunities slipped through Tien Linh's fingers, and the first half ended in frustration. After the break, coach Kim Sang-sik made four consecutive substitutions to increase the pace and pressure, including the naturalized striker Xuan Son.
The turning point came when the ball struck Phetdavanh Somsanid's hand inside the penalty area. From the penalty spot in the 68th minute, Xuan Son accurately converted to open the scoring. As Laos pushed forward in search of an equalizer, space appeared and Tuan Hai punished them in injury time, sealing a tense evening with a 2-0 victory.
Developments and tactical highlights
Vietnam's challenge was to break down the low defensive block. Proactive control didn't automatically translate into quality chances when the final passing combinations lacked decisiveness. The decision to increase firepower after halftime boosted the attacking tempo, and the advantage only came from a set piece – a penalty – before the late gap opened up for the decisive goal.
Key moments
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 68 | Xuan Son scored the penalty after the ball hit Phetdavanh Somsanid's hand. |
| After the break | Coach Kim Sang-sik made four substitutions, strengthening the attack. |
| Injury time | Tuan Hai sealed the 2-0 victory. |
How does the regional media perceive this?
- Merah Putih (Indonesia):They called this victory a "keeps Asian Cup hopes alive," while also highlighting the wasteful finishing of the Vietnamese attack.
- Bola Sport:It was noted that Vietnam faced "many difficulties in breaking through Laos' defense" and only relieved the pressure thanks to a penalty kick.
- TV News One:They emphasized Xuan Son's return, viewing him as a major threat to Malaysia in the final match.
- Manka Bola (Malaysia):He called the penalty "the turning point that decided the match," praised Laos' fighting spirit, and argued that Vietnam missed an early opportunity to seal the victory in the first half before receiving a "gift" from the handball.
Impact on the standings in Group F
After 5 matches, Vietnam is second in Group F with 12 points, 3 points behind Malaysia. The final match in March 2025 will be decisive: Vietnam must win convincingly to secure their Asian Cup qualification, while still awaiting a ruling from the AFC regarding Malaysia's matches.
Overall perspective
The victory in Vientiane showed that Vietnam can escape a difficult situation through personnel adjustments and a precise penalty kick. But to overcome the final hurdle against Malaysia, the issue of finishing efficiency – which has been highlighted by regional media – remains the most rigorous measure.
