The greatest striker in the history of Vietnam's national team talks about the 2008 AFF Cup.

Lê Công Vinh recalls with emotion the injury-time goal that secured Vietnam's 2008 Southeast Asian Championship victory and confirms it marked a significant milestone for the nation's football.

From childhood tears to the explosive moment of triumph, the journey of Lê Công Vinh at the Southeast Asian Championship – now known as the ASEAN Hyundai Cup – fully reflects the emotions of Vietnamese football. The hero of the 2008 title, with a decisive injury-time goal in the second leg final against Thailand, considered it a pivotal moment for both his career and the history of Vietnamese football.

“In 1998, when Vietnam lost to Singapore in the final, I was only 13 years old. I watched that match on TV and cried a lot,” the former striker recalled the 0-1 defeat against Singapore in Hanoi. “By 2008, I was part of the final against Thailand. We were under immense pressure, especially playing away. The whole country was waiting for that moment. But in the first leg, we performed very well and won 2-1 in Bangkok.”

“In the second leg, I scored in the final minute. At that moment, I could hardly hear anything, my hands were shaking, and everything seemed to go dark for a few seconds. After about 10 seconds, I realized what had happened. I couldn’t believe Vietnam had won the championship. It was an incredibly meaningful and unforgettable moment. Even now, though Vietnam has won more titles, that championship remains the greatest.”

Across both legs of the final, Công Vinh stood out as a game-changer. After scoring in Bangkok, he shone again in the second leg by skillfully heading a free kick from Nguyễn Minh Phương past the Thai goalkeeper into the top corner. That goal ended a 12-year wait since the 1998 defeat and sparked wild celebrations nationwide.

“In Vietnam, football is truly the king of sports,” Công Vinh shared. “Thailand has always been a very strong rival. Previously, when facing Thailand, Vietnam often drew or lost. But 2008 was a breakthrough. After beating Thailand, we no longer feared them and played with more confidence in many subsequent encounters.”

“Football is number one in Vietnam. For fans, it’s something they live for every day. So defeating Thailand in the 2008 final was truly extraordinary. This victory created a new chapter in Vietnamese football history and strengthened the national team. The 2008 goal remains a beautiful memory for me. After that success, the government invested more in football, helping to elevate the sport. I was only 23 then, and afterward, I played a season in Portugal before joining Consadole Sapporo in Japan. That achievement helped my career flourish.”

Since the 2008 milestone, Vietnam has won two more ASEAN Cup titles, most recently in 2024, entering the 2026 Hyundai Cup as the defending champions. “Defending a title is always much harder than winning it the first time. In my opinion, Vietnam’s biggest current rival is not just Thailand but especially Indonesia. If Indonesia fields their strongest squad, they can beat any Southeast Asian team, including Vietnam, Thailand, or Malaysia. However, beyond the Hyundai Cup, I believe Southeast Asian teams should aim higher, such as competing well in the AFC or targeting the World Cup, which requires long-term investment and development.”