2008 AFF Championship final

2008 AFF Championship final 305px 2008 AFF Championship Vietnam players lining up before the second leg on 28 December 2008 Thailand THA 30px 2 Vietnam VIE 30px 3 on aggregate First leg 1 2 2008 12 24 y Rajamangala Stadium Bangkok Nguyễn Vũ Phong (Vietnam) Ramachandran Krishnan (Malaysia) 50,000 Clear sky Second leg 1 1 2008 12 28 y Mỹ Đình National Stadium Hanoi Nguyễn Minh Phương (Vietnam) Abdul Malik (Singapore) 40,000 Cold 2007 2010 The 2008 AFF Championship final was the final match of the 2008 AFF Championship organised by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). The match was played over two legs between Vietnam and Thailand. The first leg was held at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on 24 December, while the second leg was held at the Mỹ Đình National Stadium in Hanoi on 28 December 2008. Vietnam won the final with a total score of 3–2 after both matches to become the AFF Cup champion for the first time in history, since the tournament was renamed in 2007. This victory of the Vietnamese team was ranked by the website Goal.com as one of the top 10 outstanding Asian football events of 2008, 31 December 2008 Việt Nam lọt vào top 10 sự kiện bóng đá châu Á https://vnexpress.net/viet-nam-lot-vao-top-10-su-kien-bong-da-chau-a-1100210.html Vietnam in top 10 Asian football events VNExpress Hanoi Ngọc Tuấn live https://web.archive.org/web/20090213055115/http://vnexpress.net/GL/The-thao/2008/12/3BA0A03A/ 13 February 2009 8 July 2025 as well as voted by Vietnamnet readers as one of the top 10 outstanding events of Vietnam in the year. 31 December 2008 Cùng VietNamNet bình chọn 10 sự kiện của năm https://vnn.vietnamnet.vn/chinhtri/2008/12/820650/ Join VietNamNet to vote for the 10 events of the year Vietnamnet vi 8 July 2025 This victory marked the first time Vietnam won a regional tournament, and the first time in 10 years since Vietnam lost in the final of the 1998 Tiger Cup. Background Vietnam Ahead of the 2008 AFF Championship, Vietnam entered the tournament with high expectations but also a lot of pressure. A year earlier, the team had made a big splash when, for the first time in history, they advanced past the group stage of an AFC Asian Cup and reached the quarter-finals after an impressive 2–0 victory over the United Arab Emirates. The achievement at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup was considered an important milestone, helping Vietnamese football affirm its new position in the continental arena and receive great attention from the regional media.8 July 2007 Vietnam shock Gulf champs UAE https://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-07-09/vietnam-shock-gulf-champs-uae/93410 28 November 2021 Abc.net.au However, at that time, Vietnamese football was still in the process of recovery and reconstruction after the match-fixing scandal involving a number of players of the U-23 team at the 2005 SEA Games. This incident severely affected the image of the team, forcing the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) to carry out a series of reforms in organization, management and player training. 30 November 2006 Học viện bóng đá JMG Hoàng Anh Gia lai: Sẽ ra đời đầu năm 2007 https://tuoitre.vn/hoc-vien-bong-da-jmg-hoang-anh-gia-lai-se-ra-di-dau-nam-2007-844629.htm Hoang Anh Gia Lai - Arsenal JMG Football Academy: Will be established in early 2007 Tuổi Trẻ vi Sỹ Huyền 8 July 2025 In that context, many youth football academies were established to systematically develop the next generation of human resources, notably the Hoang Anh Gia Lai - Arsenal JMG Academy established in 2007. Despite never having won the AFF Cup before, the Vietnamese team entered the tournament with great confidence from domestic fans, based on their improved performance from the Asian Cup and their determination to assert their position after a long period of internal pressure. That context created a strong motivation for the team to aim for the highest goal in this tournament. Thailand Before the 2008 AFF Cup, the Thai team entered the tournament as co-hosts, planning to hold the group stage matches in Bangkok. However, the unstable political situation in the capital forced the Organizing Committee to move all these matches to Phuket on November 29, 2008.https://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-asiathailand&prov=reuters&type=lgns Thailand shifts Suzuki Cup out of troubled Bangkok 29 November 2008 Yahoo! Sports 29 November 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081215093828/http://sports.yahoo.com/sow/news?slug=reu-asiathailand&prov=reuters&type=lgns 15 December 2008 dead Organizing the tournament manually like that further increased the professional pressure on the Thai team. In terms of force, after being unable to advance deep in the World Cup qualifiers (losing in the third group stage), coach Charnwit Polcheewin officially resigned on June 25, 2008. 18 July 2008 Cựu HLV câu lạc bộ Sunderland làm huấn luyện viên trưởng đội tuyển Thái Lan từ ngày 1/9 https://tienphong.vn/cuu-hlv-sunderland-dan-dat-thai-lan-tu-19-post130461.tpo Former Sunderland coach becomes head coach of Thailand national team from September 1, 2008 Tiền Phong vi Huy Anh 3 July 2025 Peter Reid—former England manager—was then appointed on 23 July, set to take up the role on 1 September, also taking charge of the U20 team. The 2008 AFF Cup campaign was an opportunity for Thailand to win the championship for the 8th time in history, following the previous 7 championships. Route to the final 2008 AFF Championship knockout stage Note: In all results below, the finalist's score is given first. (H: Home, A: Away) THARoundVIEOpponentScoreGroup stageOpponentScoreVIE2–0Match 1THA0–2LAO6–0Match 2MAS3–2MAS3–0Match 3LAO4–0First in Group B main WDL 200 Group B y THA VIE MAS LAO AFF complete 3 0 0 11 0 H 2 0 1 7 4 1 0 2 5 6 0 0 3 0 13 THA VIE MAS LAO QF QF green1Final standingsSecond in Group B main WDL 200 Group B y THA VIE MAS LAO AFF complete 3 0 0 11 0 H 2 0 1 7 4 1 0 2 5 6 0 0 3 0 13 THA VIE MAS LAO QF QF green1OpponentAGG Aggregate1st leg2nd legKnockout stageOpponentAGG Aggregate1st leg2nd legIDN3–11–0 (A)2–1 (H)Semi-finalSGP1–00–0 (H)1–0 (A) Thailand Thailand were drawn into Group B along with Vietnam, Malaysia and Laos. The group stage of Group B was originally scheduled to be held in Bangkok, however due to the unstable political situation, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) moved all matches to Phuket province. Under the guidance of coach Peter Reid, the Thai team showed superior performance compared to the opponents in the same group. In the opening match, Thailand defeated Vietnam 2–0, thereby creating a big advantage in the race for a ticket to the next round. 6 December 2008 AFF Suzuki Cup 2008, bảng B, ĐT Việt Nam-ĐT Thái Lan: 0-2 https://vff.org.vn/aff-suzuki-cup-2008-bang-b-dt-viet-nam-dt-thai-lan-0-2/ AFF Suzuki Cup 2008, Group B, Vietnam-Thailand: 0-2 Vietnam Football Federation (official website, news report) vi 4 July 2025 Next, the team beat Laos 6–0 in the second match, before ending the group stage with a 3–0 victory over Malaysia. After 3 matches, Thailand won 9 absolute points, scored 11 goals and conceded none, thereby topping Group B with an outstanding goal difference. In the semi-finals, Thailand met Indonesia – the runner-up in Group A. In the first leg in Jakarta, the away team won 1–0 thanks to the ability to control the game and make good use of set pieces. In the second leg at home, Thailand continued to show their superiority and won 2–1. With a total score of 3-1 after two matches, Thailand has appeared in an AFF Cup final for the seventh time. Vietnam Vietnam were also in Group B, and opened the tournament with a match against Thailand, a rival with many ties in the region. Despite starting the match with determination, Vietnam lost 0–2 in this match. However, coach Henrique Calisto’s team did not let the initial defeat affect the overall spirit of the team. In the second match, Vietnam faced Malaysia and won a thrilling 3-2 victory, opening up great hope for a ticket to the semi-finals. In the final match, the team played convincingly and defeated Laos 4–0, closing the group stage with 6 points. With this achievement, Vietnam ranked second in Group B, after Thailand, and won the right to continue. 11 December 2008 Việt Nam vào bán kết AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 https://vov.vn/the-thao/viet-nam-vao-ban-ket-aff-suzuki-cup-2008-100798.vov Vietnam entered the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 Voice of Vietnam vi Hanoi 5 July 2025 In the semi-finals, Vietnam faced Singapore, the defending champion and host of Group A. The first leg at My Dinh Stadium ended with a score of 0–0 in a tight and calculating match. In the second leg at the Singapore National Stadium, Vietnam surprisingly won 1–0 thanks to the decisive goal of striker Nguyen Quang Hai. With this result, Vietnam entered the AFF Cup final for the second time in history. 21 December 2008 Thắng Singapore 1-0, Việt Nam vào chung kết AFF Cup 2008 https://tuoitre.vn/thang-singapore-1-0-viet-nam-vao-chung-ket-aff-cup-2008-293814.htm Beating Singapore 1-0, Vietnam entered the final of AFF Cup 2008 Tuổi Trẻ vi Reporters 24 April 2025 Matches First leg 2008 12 24 y 19:30 7 THA 1 VIE 2 https://web.archive.org/web/20081227085306/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/news/index.asp?aid=52478&cid=1461&amth=12&ayr=2008 Dương Hồng Sơn 75 o.g. Nguyễn Vũ Phong 40Lê Công Vinh 42 Rajamangala Stadium Bangkok 50,000 Ramachandran Krishnan (Malaysia) _THA H 0810 _THAh0810 FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 Thailand _vietnam06a _vietnam06a _vietnam06a FFFFFF FF0000 FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Vietnam GK 18 Kosin Hathairattanakool RB 2 Suree Sukha CB 4 Chonlatit Jantakam CB 6 Nattaporn Phanrit LB 12 Natthaphong Samana CM 15 Surat Sukha 63 CM 19 Pichitphong Choeichiu RW 14 Teeratep Winothai 75 AM 7 Datsakorn Thonglao (c) LW 17 Sutee Suksomkit CF 10 Teerasil DangdaSubstitutes: GK 1 Kittisak Rawangpa DF 3 Patiparn Phetphun DF 5 Niweat Siriwong MF 16 Arthit Sunthornpit 80 MF 21 Salahudin Arware MF 22 Rangsan Viwatchaichok FW 9 Ronnachai Rangsiyo 75 FW 11 Tana Chanabut FW 13 Anon SangsanoiManager:ENG Peter Reid GK 1 Dương Hồng Sơn RB 16 Huỳnh Quang Thanh CB 4 Lê Phước Tứ CB 7 Vũ Như Thành LB 2 Đoàn Việt Cường CM 22 Phan Văn Tài Em (c) CM 5 Nguyễn Minh Châu CM 14 Lê Tấn Tài 3 AM 17 Nguyễn Vũ Phong CF 21 Nguyễn Việt Thắng 66 CF 9 Lê Công Vinh Substitutes: GK 20 Trần Đức Cường DF 3 Nguyễn Minh Đức MF 10 Trần Trường Giang MF 12 Nguyễn Minh Phương FW 8 Thạch Bảo Khanh FW 13 Nguyễn Quang Hải 66 FW 18 Phan Thanh Bình FW 19 Phạm Thành LươngManager:POR Henrique Calisto Player of the Match: Nguyễn Vũ Phong (Vietnam) Second leg 2008 12 28 y 19:30 7 VIE 1 THA 1 https://web.archive.org/web/20110927160931/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/_webapp_640581/Cong_Vinh_delivers_first_AFF_Suzuki_Cup_crown_to_Vietnam Lê Công Vinh 90+4 Teerasil 21 Mỹ Đình National Stadium Hanoi 40,000 Abdul Malik (Singapore) _vietnam06a _vietnam06a _vietnam06a FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF FFFFFF Vietnam _THA H 0810 _THAh0810 FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 FFFF00 Thailand GK 1 Dương Hồng Sơn RB 16 Huỳnh Quang Thanh CB 4 Lê Phước Tứ CB 7 Vũ Như Thành LB 2 Đoàn Việt Cường 90 CM 22 Phan Văn Tài Em (c) 8 CM 5 Nguyễn Minh Châu 60 CM 14 Lê Tấn Tài AM 17 Nguyễn Vũ Phong CF 21 Nguyễn Việt Thắng CF 9 Lê Công Vinh Substitutes: GK 20 Trần Đức Cường DF 3 Nguyễn Minh Đức DF 11 Lê Quang Cường 90 MF 10 Trần Trường Giang MF 12 Nguyễn Minh Phương 60 FW 8 Thạch Bảo Khanh FW 13 Nguyễn Quang Hải FW 18 Phan Thanh Bình FW 19 Phạm Thành LươngManager:POR Henrique Calisto GK 18 Kosin Hathairattanakool RB 2 Suree Sukha CB 4 Chonlatit Jantakam CB 6 Nattaporn Phanrit LB 12 Natthaphong Samana CM 15 Surat Sukha 58 CM 8 Suchao Nuchnum RW 14 Teeratep Winothai 68 AM 7 Datsakorn Thonglao (c) LW 17 Sutee Suksomkit CF 10 Teerasil DangdaSubstitutes: GK 1 Kittisak Rawangpa DF 3 Patiparn Phetphun DF 5 Niweat Siriwong MF 16 Arthit Sunthornpit MF 19 Pichitphong Choeichiu MF 21 Salahudin Arware MF 22 Rangsan Viwatchaichok FW 9 Ronnachai Rangsiyo 68 FW 13 Anon SangsanoiManager:ENG Peter Reid Player of the match: Nguyễn Minh Phương (Vietnam) Vietnam won 3–2 on aggregate. Post-match 320px|right|thumb|Hanoi people took to the streets to celebrate after Vietnam won the championship. After a 1–1 draw in the second leg at My Dinh Stadium, with a total score of 3–2, the Vietnamese team officially won their first 2008 AFF Championship. 15 December 2018 Ký ức chung kết AFF Cup 2008: Vỡ òa với 'bàn thắng vàng' của Công Vinh https://tienphong.vn/ky-uc-chung-ket-aff-cup-2008-vo-oa-voi-ban-thang-vang-cua-cong-vinh-post1078670.tpo Memories of the 2008 AFF Cup final: Bursting with Cong Vinh's 'golden goal' Tiền Phong A Phi 8 July 2025 The goal by Lê Công Vinh from a free kick by Minh Phương was named as the "golden goal" by the media and became associated with Công Vinh. Công Vinh also scored in the first leg, helping Vietnam win 2-1 in Thailand. 28 December 2008 Bàn thắng phút chót giúp VN lần đầu vô địch Đông Nam Á https://vnexpress.net/ban-thang-phut-chot-giup-vn-lan-dau-vo-dich-dong-nam-a-901458.html Last minute goal helps Vietnam win Southeast Asian championship for the first time VNExpress vi Hanoi 23 June 2024 After the match ended, Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng personally presented the championship trophy to captain Phan Văn Tài Em. During the award ceremony, goalkeeper Dương Hồng Sơn was honored as the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. 28 December 2008 Nổ tung trời đêm mừng chiến thắng của tuyển bóng đá Việt Nam https://tuoitre.vn/no-tung-troi-dem-mung-chien-thang-cua-tuyen-bong-da-vn-294967.htm Exploding night sky to celebrate the victory of Vietnam football team Tuổi Trẻ vi Hanoi Reporters 8 July 2025 37% left "My Dinh Stadium exploded, I took off my shirt and ran crazily to the sidelines, in the happiest moment of my life. I would never trade that feeling for anything else. Bursting, relieved, happy, satisfied, all rolled into one. I only scored two goals in the entire tournament, and those were in the two finals. How could I ever fully express my gratitude to the wonderful teacher who was by my side, my teammates who fought side by side in the life-and-death matches, and those passionate fans? They were the most difficult people, but also the most lovable. I just kept running, letting my feet take me wherever they wanted. It took me a while to regain my composure and return to the pitch so the match could start again. I frantically searched for my shirt that had accidentally fallen somewhere. A teammate gave me a spare shirt, but that was no longer important. Before I could put it on, the referee blew the whistle to end the match. I have never heard a whistle so... lovely." – "Minute 89" (autobiography), Le Cong Vinh, published in 2018. Following the victory, public celebrations were reported across Vietnam, with large crowds gathering in major cities and provincial areas such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Similar celebrations were also reported in cities including Huế, Quảng Ngãi, Hội An, Nha Trang, and Cần Thơ. Domestic and international media quickly called this a “miracle”, as this was the first time Vietnam had won a regional tournament. The press evaluated Cong Vinh’s “last minute” header as a symbol of Vietnam’s hope, determination and bravery. 8 November 2018 Công Vinh nhớ về bàn thắng ‘vàng’ đem lại chức vô địch AFF Cup 2008 https://znews.vn/cong-vinh-nho-ve-ban-thang-vang-dem-lai-chuc-vo-dich-aff-cup-2008-post890453.html Cong Vinh remembers the "golden goal" that brought the 2008 AFF Cup championship ZNews vi 18 June 2025 References Newspaper caption Books Lê Công Vinh (2018). Minute 89. Hanoi: World Publishing House See also 2008 AFF Championship Lê Công Vinh Category:2008 AFF Championship Category:ASEAN Championship finals Category:Vietnam national football team matches Category:Thailand national football team matches Category:2008 in Vietnamese football Category:2008 in Thai football Category:Sport in Hanoi Category:Thailand–Vietnam football rivalry