Vietnam Edges Thailand 2-1 in ASEAN Final

Vietnam has taken a narrow 2-1 lead over Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Championship final, thanks to two goals from Brazil-born striker Nguyen Xuan Son, also known as Rafaelson. After a scoreless first half, Xuan Son opened the scoring in the 59th minute and doubled the lead in the 73rd minute before Chalermsak Aukkee pulled one back for Thailand with a header in the 83rd minute. Xuan Son's performance has been particularly notable, as he has now scored seven goals in four matches since gaining Vietnamese citizenship last month. The second leg will be held at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on January 5, 2025, with Thailand aiming to defend their title. Vietnam seeks to secure their third championship title, having previously won in 2008 and 2018. The match is a rematch of the 2022 final, where Thailand triumphed over Vietnam.