Naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son was named Top Goal Scorer and Most Valuable Player of the 2024 ASEAN Championship, which concluded on Sunday with the trophy going to Vietnam.

Son contributed seven goals and two assists across five appearances in the tournament before sustaining a horrible injury, a broken leg, during the second leg of the final against Thailand on Sunday night.

His impact on Vietnam’s attack was undeniable.

On Monday morning, Son was presented with the cup and gold medal at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok before traveling home on a stretcher with his team.

His teammate, Nguyen Dinh Trieu, was named the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, thanks to his impressive performances between the posts. 

Thailand’s most dangerous attacking threat, Suphanat Mueanta, with four goals, was voted Best Young Player.

Vietnam staged a sensational comeback to defeat hosts Thailand 3-2 in Bangkok on Sunday night.

The Golden Dragons secured a 5-3 aggregate victory over the Thais after a two-legged final, with the first match ending 2-1 in Vietnam’s favor in Phu Tho Province on Thursday last week.

This marks the third time Vietnam have claimed the top spot in Southeast Asian football.

In a dramatic moment during Sunday’s match, striker Son, of Brazilian origin, who was officially recognized as a Vietnamese citizen last October, suffered a serious injury and was forced to leave the field on a stretcher in the 31st minute. 

He was rushed to the hospital by ambulance, where he was diagnosed with fractures to both the fibula and tibia, requiring surgery.

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