Vietnam broke the winning streak in the AFF Cup
Coach Park Hang-seo changed eight positions in the starting lineup, when he put many pillars on the bench compared to the victory over Malaysia on December 27. Only goalkeeper Dang Van Lam, central defender Que Ngoc Hai and captain Do Hung Dung are allowed to keep the main kick. Despite bringing a series of pillars such as Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Hoang Duc or Nguyen Tien Linh into the field in the second half, Vietnam still could not penetrate the Singapore defense, accepting to share points with the host.
Vietnam still holds the top of Group B after the fourth round, and is almost certain to continue. The only case that will make Park's teachers and students eliminated is Singapore drawing Malaysia, and Vietnam losing to Myanmar by six goals or more in the last round. And if they want to keep the top of the table, Vietnam needs to win Myanmar on January 3, 2023.
The Singapore draw also helps Vietnam have more opportunities to choose an opponent in the semi-finals. The final round of Group A will take place on January 2, 2023, when Thailand, Indonesia and Cambodia compete for the next two places. Vietnam can decide for themselves the first or second place in Group B in the last round. If they draw or lose to Myanmar with a difference of less than six goals, Vietnam is likely to be second in the group.
That shows that the draw in Kallang is not a bad scenario, and so Coach Park boldly gave the opportunity to the substitute to start. The match took place in a one-way position, when Vietnam invaded but did not create too many dangerous situations until the second half of the second half. Only when the pillars enter the field, will the away team create a real storm.
The most dangerous opportunity came to Vietnam in the 84th minute, when Hoang Duc shot from a distance of about 25 meters, sending the ball to sink diagonally, bouncing off the vertical column. Just two minutes later, it was Tien Linh's turn to receive the ball in the open penalty area, from Nguyen Phong Hong Duy's cross. Seemingly startled, Tien Linh slipped and hit the Singapore player.
The scenario of Vietnam this period is almost the same as in 2018, when the team also won the host Laos in the opening match, defeated the away team Malaysia in the second round, and then drew 0-0 away in the third match. That year, Park's teachers and students topped Group A, then defeated the Philippines and Malaysia in the semi-finals and final to win.
Singapore: Hassan - Shakir (Syahin 90), Ryhan, Irfan, Van Huizen (Nazari 67) - Anumanthan (Arifin 67), Shahdan, Hariss, Shah - Faris (Song 46), Ilhan (Anuar 46).
Vietnam: Van Lam - Van Thanh (Tan Tai 82), Thanh Binh, Ngoc Hai, Tien Dung, Hong Duy - Ngoc Quang (Quang Hai 46), Tuan Anh (Hoang Duc 58), Hung Dung (Van Duc 46) - Van Quyet, Tuan Hai (Tien Linh 58).
