This is Vietnam’s first victory over a powerful world team in a long time, this victory has encouraged coach Diego Giustozzi and his plan to win an unprecedented local championship in history.
HANOI – Vietnam surprisingly won 3-2 against championship candidate Thailand in the final match of the Southeast Asian Futsal Championship held on November 7 in Korat.
This is Vietnam’s first victory over a powerful world team in a long time, this victory has encouraged coach Diego Giustozzi and his plan to win an unprecedented regional championship in history.
“This is the first time we have crushed the Thai futsal team. I am really happy, I feel great after this victory,” the Argentine master shared.
“I am satisfied with the team’s performance. We played well in the first half and the whole team put in a lot more effort in the last half and every player was very enthusiastic.
“We tried to change our style of play against Thailand and we considered playing hard against them and the goals came from these efforts. My players did not waste their chances,” he said.
Vietnam maintained a stalemate to keep the two teams level until the end of the first half, after Nguyen Thinh Phat’s own goal in the fifth minute was equalised by Pham Duc Hoa seven minutes later.
Although Thailand overcame Tanachot Sosawaeng in the 31st minute, two quick goals from Dinh Cong Vien in the 35th and 36th minutes proved crucial in giving Vietnam a resounding victory in Korat.
This helped Vietnam complete their goal of becoming Gathering A champions with an ideal record of four wins, pushing hosts Thailand into second place.
Thailand advisor Miguel Rodrigo praised Vietnam but said the defeat was important for Thailand as it would help them recognise and address their shortcomings.
Rodrigo, who coached Vietnam from 2017-19, was pleased with the performance of the youngsters as they fought hard until the very end.
Vietnam will play fellow Gathering B team Australia in the semi-finals on November 8.
Australia reached the semi-finals after a resounding 9-2 win over Cambodia on November 7.
In the semi-finals, multiple champions Thailand will face Indonesia, the winners of the 2010 edition.