The first leg of the 2024 AFF Cup semifinal, Singapore vs Vietnam, Thursday (26/12), has the potential to present a surprise.
This match will take place at Jalan Besar Stadium, Kallang. Appearing on synthetic grass, Vietnam could have difficulty facing the host’s strength.
Apart from the grass factor, Singapore has an appearance that cannot be taken lightly. One indicator is that Thailand had difficulties in the group stage. Initially, Singapore had a 2-0 lead in the first half, before being crushed 4-2 in the second half.
The performance of The Lions, Singapore’s nickname, is also improving. The resilience and collectivity of the team coached by Tsutomu Ogura is getting better when seen in its last match.
The match in question was against Malaysia. This match ended 0-0, but Hariss Harun and his friends were able to reduce Harimau Malaya’s aggressiveness.
However, Vietnam’s performance is also getting sharper. In their last match, hosting Myanmar, The Golden Stars won with a convincing score of five goals without conceding.
The composition of Vietnam’s squad is indeed the most promising in the 2024 AFF Cup. Vietnam is filled with the best players, unlike other teams which are combined.
Coach Kim Sang Sik also received an injection of new energy because of the presence of Rafaelson alias Nguyen Xuan Son, a naturalized player who showed sharpness in his debut match against Myanmar.
Playing against Singapore in the semifinals could give Vietnam an advantage in this tournament. The Golden Star Warriors have a sweet history when they faced The Lions in the semifinals of the AFF Cup.
In the 2008 AFF Cup, Vietnam clashed with Singapore in the semifinals. After a 0-0 draw at My Dinh Stadium, Vietnam narrowly won 1-0 over Singapore in the second leg at the National Stadium. Nguyen Quang Hai’s goal gave Vietnam victory in the second leg.
History also records that Vietnam is more powerful. Of the 20 meetings, Vietnam won seven times, nine times and the rest were draws. Vietnam last lost in 1998.
