Thailand had periods of control in the first leg and created a number of promising chances before Vietnam struck twice after the break through Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai.

Goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang was instrumental in keeping Thailand scoreless, making several important saves.

Hudson believes that performance demonstrated that opportunities will be available again.

"Patrik Le Giang is a good goalkeeper, so I have told my players that we need to finish better," he said. "We have ways to break through Vietnam's defence."

The England-born coach also explained why he asked his players to remain on the pitch and watch Vietnam celebrate after the first leg.

"Football is an emotional battle," Hudson said. "We have worked hard together and reached the final match of the tournament. Vietnam are very strong and I respect them. But I want the players to believe that they are still playing well. We lost the first leg, but the opportunity is still there. Thailand need to remember that moment and use it as motivation for the return leg."

Hudson is also facing questions about his own future, with pressure growing after Thailand's defeat at home.

He argued that the circumstances surrounding the two finalists have been very different.

"I haven't been able to have all the best players available, while Vietnam gathered early, have their full squad and have a strong desire to win the championship," he said. "I think the Football Association of Thailand will understand that as well."

Thailand's finishing was one of the defining features of the opening leg.

The hosts created opportunities but failed to take them, while Vietnam were far more clinical when spaces appeared after the break.

"In the first leg, we created a lot of chances," Hudson said. "Of course it was disappointing, but I still insist that nothing is over for Thailand. We only lost on the scoreboard. As for how Thailand will play in the second leg, we will show the opposition on the pitch."

The challenge is compounded by Thailand's physical condition.

Hudson acknowledged after the first leg that recovery would be crucial, with his squad having already endured a demanding tournament.

"The biggest challenge for us is our current physical condition," he said. "The players have to recover quickly."

Vietnam, by contrast, have repeatedly rotated their squad throughout the competition, giving Kim Sang Sik a wide range of options from the bench.

That depth proved decisive at Rajamangala when substitutes Hai Long and Quang Hai scored the two goals.

Thailand now have to find an answer at My Dinh.

For Hudson, there is no point dwelling on the scale of the task.

"I don't compare how difficult different matches are," he said. "I only focus on solving the game. I want my players to show everyone who we are."

Dai Nam