Vietnam clinch SEA Games football gold with comeback win over Thailand

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Thailands Yotsakorn Burapha battles with Vietnams Nguyen Phi Hoang for the ball in the SEA Games football final.

REUTERS

BANGKOK – Thailand were runners-up at the SEA Games football competition for the past two editions, and on Dec 18 they were determined to claim the gold on home soil against Vietnam.

But it was not to be their day as they eventually fell to a 3-2 extra-time defeat at the Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok after leading by two goals.

Vietnam were thrilled with the manner of their victory, with the Vietnam Football Federation posting a video of the team’s celebrations on its Facebook page with a caption that loosely translates to: “Vietnam staged a spectacular comeback, bringing joy to millions of hearts.”

It did not take long for hosts Thailand to get on the scoresheet, as their brightest star Yotsakorn Burapha made it 1-0 with a free kick in the 20th minute. It was his seventh goal in the tournament.

Thai captain Seksan Ratree scored the second goal in the 31st minute.

The forward sprinted down the right flank, cut in and went past two defenders before unleashing a shot from outside the box which beat the opposing goalkeeper.

Vietnam, however, came out of the break looking like a different team.

Skipper Nguyen Dinh Bac scored from the spot in the 48th minute, converting the penalty he earned when he dribbled into the Thailand box and was fouled by goalkeeper Sorawat Phosaman.

Building on that momentum, the visitors equalised on the hour mark when Waris Choolthong scored an