BANGKOK – Despite losing star striker Rafaelson to injury, Vietnam claimed their third Asean Championship title with a 3-2 win over 10-man defending champions Thailand in the second leg of the final at the Rajamangala Stadium on Jan 5.

Vietnam won the Asean Championship for the third time in their history on Sunday (Jan 5) as a 3-2 win over 10-man defending champions Thailand in the second leg of the final in Bangkok sealed a 5-3 aggregate victory for Kim Sang-sik's side.

In what was expected to be an ASEAN Championship final that would go down to the wire, the drama of extra-time and penalties ultimately was not required. Nonetheless, that did not stop the two finalists from combining to produce a sheer heart-stopper on Sunday -- as Vietnam prevailed in an epic second leg with a 3-2 win over Thailand at Bangkok's Rajamangala Stadium to win their third regional crown with a 5-3 aggregate triumph.