Ho Tan Tai wins Hong Duy bet
In the 55th minute, midfielder Phan Van Duc crossed from the left wing, the ball grazed the head of central defender Nguyen Thanh Chung and then went to the position of Ho Tan Tai. In a comfortable position, the 25-year-old defender cushioned the ball to raise the score to 3-0 for Vietnam. Excited with the goal, Tan Tai ran to the technical area to celebrate with Hong Duy - the substitute for this match. Assistant coach Lee Young-jin was also excited and happy with the two students.
Tan Tai revealed before the match that he challenged Hong Duy to bet that he would score this match. "I was very lucky, had the opportunity to score, so I ran out to celebrate with Hong Duy," Tan Tai shared after the match at the Lao National Stadium. "Actually, I'm just too happy, and the message of the goal is that I want to give it to my grandmother who just passed away."
Grandmother Ho Tan Tai died on 12/12, right in the last round of team gathering. Tan Tai was then allowed by Coach Park Hang-seo to return to his hometown of Binh Dinh to mourn, and returned to the army on the evening of December 13. Therefore, he did not participate in the friendly match against the Philippines 1-0, but was still an important factor on the right wing of the national team.
With Tan Tai personally, he has scored four goals in 15 matches for the national team – an impressive number for defenders. Besides, the 6-0 victory over Laos helped Vietnamese players remove some of the pressure. Tan Tai shared: "Having goals helps us to clear our mind and move on to the next matches."
Meanwhile, Van Toan scored for the first time at the AFF Cup playground. The HAGL striker shared: "All the players entered the first game with difficulty, fortunately I scored even though I was not very confident in the first opportunities."
Van Toan also affirmed that Vietnam always respects all opponents, does not hold back whether it is Laos or any other opponent. "We always give our best, try each match and respect each opponent," Van Toan said.
The bold victory over Laos is a good start for the teachers and coaches of Park Hang-seo, except for the injury of midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai. This morning, December 22, the 25-year-old star was taken to a hospital in Laos by the team doctor.
The team will be light before leaving for home on the evening of December 22, and have four days to prepare for the match against Malaysia at My Dinh on December 27. "Tigers" have just had their opening match against Myanmar 1-0.
