Nguyen Xuan Son continues to shine at the ASEAN Cup 2024 (AFF Cup), delivering exceptional performances, including a critical role in Vietnam's 2-0 victory over Singapore in the first leg of the semi-finals.

A controversial decision and a triumphant comeback

In a heated match between Vietnam and host Singapore, referee Kim Woo Sung from South Korea made a controversial call, disallowing a stunning goal by Xuan Son.

Despite reviewing the play on the VAR monitor, the referee ruled against the goal, a decision widely regarded as influenced by subjective judgment rather than clear evidence.

However, Vietnam, led by head coach Kim Sang Sik, demonstrated resilience.

In injury time, Xuan Son earned a penalty after forcing a Singapore defender into a handball situation. Tien Linh converted the spot kick to put Vietnam ahead.

Shortly after, Xuan Son sealed the game with a sharp run and clinical finish, securing a 2-0 victory.

Exceptional performance in the ASEAN Cup

Although the statistics did not credit Xuan Son for Tien Linh's penalty goal, platforms like Sofascore recognized his influence, awarding him the highest player rating of 8.0.

The 27-year-old striker, who also earned a perfect 10.0 rating in Vietnam’s 5-0 triumph over Myanmar, is becoming a standout performer for the "Golden Star Warriors."

With three goals in just 180 minutes of play at the tournament, Xuan Son averages one goal every 60 minutes.

When including his role in creating the penalty against Singapore, Son contributes to a goal every 30 minutes—a remarkable statistic in the ASEAN Cup 2024.

A well-rounded player

Against Singapore, Xuan Son’s role shifted slightly compared to the match against Myanmar.

He completed only two shots, one of which resulted in a goal, and contributed significantly to the team’s overall play.

His performance featured three successful dribbles (100% success rate), two key passes, and 47 touches.

Son also displayed versatility with five successful defensive clearances and involvement in eight duels, winning five.

His heat map reveals a wide range of activity, emphasizing his impact across the field as both an attacker and a defender.

A step closer to the final

Commenting on the disallowed goal, Xuan Son remained composed: “I respect the referee’s decision. There’s nothing to argue about. What matters is that Vietnam won.”

Coach Kim Sang Sik praised Son’s all-around performance, particularly his defensive contributions, which helped Vietnam neutralize Singapore, a team that had previously scored twice against Thailand.

Xuan Son is showcasing the qualities of a modern, versatile forward.

With his dynamic play and determination, he has helped Vietnam edge closer to the ASEAN Cup 2024 final, leaving an indelible mark on the tournament.

Ngoc Huy