Super-Sub Xuan Son Propels Vietnam into ASEAN Championship Final

Naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son scored a second-half brace to guide Vietnam to a 2-0 victory over Malaysia in the second leg of the ASEAN Football Championship semifinals at the My Dinh National Stadium on Wednesday night.

The clinical victory secured a commanding 4-0 aggregate win for the Golden Star Warriors, following their identical 2-0 triumph in the first leg in Kuala Lumpur.

After a tense, goalless first half, Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik introduced Xuan Son, a tactical move that completely reshaped the match. The prolific forward broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, showing sharp predatory instincts to smash home a loose ball after Truong Tien Anh’s initial shot was blocked by the Malaysian defense.

Malaysia pushed forward in search of a lifeline but struggled to breach Vietnam's resolute backline. Xuan Son then put the tie to bed in the 89th minute, using his sheer power to burst down the left flank before sliding a precise finish through the legs of Malaysian goalkeeper Azri Ghani.

Vietnam will now face regional powerhouse Thailand in a highly anticipated two-legged final scheduled for August 22 and 26.