It was joy and despair for Nguyen Xuan Son on Sunday after Vietnam’s star striker was named the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 Most Valuable Player while also claiming the Top Goal Scorer award.
Vietnam’s 3-2 victory in the second leg saw them defeat Thailand 5-3 on aggregate as the Golden Star Warriors were crowned kings of ASEAN for the third time to add to the titles they won in 2008 and 2018.
Xuan Son played a huge part in the success, netting a whopping seven goals in four games prior to Sunday’s match – including both in the first leg – after making his Vietnam debut in the 5-0 win group stage win over Myanmar.
The 27-year-old went into the second leg as the biggest threat to ending the two-time defending champions’ grip on the regional crown, but his night was cruelly cut short following a freak injury in the 32nd minute.
With the score at 1-1, he burst down the right before falling awkwardly as he crossed into the box. After a lengthy delay, the Brazil-born striker was stretchered off and rushed to hospital.
But his teammates were able to finish the job of for him – Nguyen Hai Long’s goal deep into stoppage time at the end of the game wrapping up a 5-3 aggregate win after a thrilling two-legged affair.
While Xuan Son was cruelly robbed of taking part in the title celebrations, as well as being presented with his two richly deserved individual prizes – collected in his absence by Do Duy Manh and Nguyen Quang Hai – his contribution to his side’s success will live long in the memory.
Vietnam were still aiming to secure a place in the semi-finals when Xuan Son made his debut in his country’s fourth and final group stage match against Myanmar. Two goals in a 5-0 rout was a sign of what was to follow as the Golden Star Warriors clinched top spot.
Having won the penalty that put Vietnam a goal up deep into stoppage time of the semi-final first leg against Singapore, Xuan Son added his third of the campaign to wrap up a 2-0 win before netting two more in the second leg in Viet Tri as Kim Sang-sik’s team advanced 4-1 on aggregate.
And things got even better in the final when, back at Viet Tri Stadium for the first leg, Xuan Son first headed Vietnam in front shortly before the hour and then added a brilliant individual goal with a little under 20 minutes to play in a 2-1 victory.
While the MVP and top scorer was robbed of his chance to celebrate with his teammates and the huge travelling support, his place in Vietnam’s footballing history has been firmly secured and the whole country will be desperate for their new star to make a speedy recovery.
Share now
