My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi, Vietnam, Sunday, December 28, 2008 – Vietnam equalised in the last seconds of the game against Thailand to win the ASEAN Football Championship (AFF Suzuki Cup) in dramatic fashion.

Until Le Cong Vinh’s heart-stopping headed goal, Thailand’s earlier goal by Teerasil Dangda from a header had levelled the game at 2-2 after the first leg final had finished 2-1 in Vietnam’s favour in Bangkok.

With extra-time looming, Vietnam were awarded a free kick after Suree Sukha had brought down Le Cong Vinh on the left edge of the box. Vietnamese skipper Phan Tan Vai Em took the free kick and Cong Vinh, Vietnam’s most expensive player, glanced it in past a static Thai keeper.

The goal gave Vietnam an overall 3-2 victory over the two-legged final.

This is Vietnam’s second final appearance in the ASEAN football showpiece. They went down 0-1 to Singapore ten years ago in front of their own fans and this win will erase bitter memories of that loss.

Singapore made the semi-finals of this championship but were knocked out by Vietnam after losing 0-1 at home two Sundays ago. The teams had drawn the first leg 0-0 in Hanoi.