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FIFA's playful post about Tien Linh after Vietnam’s semifinal victory. Screenshot

In a match held on the evening of December 26 in Singapore, Vietnam overcame their rivals in a convincing yet challenging game.

Naturalized striker Xuan Son, after having a brilliant goal disallowed by VAR, shone during injury time. He earned a crucial penalty and graciously handed the chance to teammate Tien Linh, who confidently converted the spot-kick. Moments later, Tien Linh sealed the 2-0 victory with another goal, securing a major advantage for Vietnam.

FIFA's playful reaction

 
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FIFA humorously references Xuan Son with lyrics from a popular Vietnamese song. Screenshot

The FIFA World Cup fanpage joined in the celebration with a humorous nod to Tien Linh and Xuan Son.

The page posted a picture of Tien Linh with the caption, “Sports never stop‍,” a playful reference to one of Tien Linh’s past social media posts.

Underneath the post, FIFA added a witty comment directed at Xuan Son: “Hearing Xuan Son fills my heart with emotion,” a lighthearted take on the opening lyrics of Doan Xuan Ca, a well-known Vietnamese song often played during Lunar New Year celebrations.

This amusing gesture by FIFA not only delighted Vietnamese fans but also served as an encouraging message for the players as they advance in the tournament.

With this 2-0 away win, Vietnam’s "Golden Star Warriors" are in a strong position heading into the second leg.

The team, led by head coach Kim Sang Sik, will face Singapore again on December 29 at 8:00 PM at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho. Playing on home turf, they are favored to secure their spot in the ASEAN Cup 2024 finals.

Thien Binh