The match at Laos National Stadium on 19/11 was not the first time in Group F that the Vietnamese team played with a two-center-back formation, a four-man defense. This approach was previously used in the second half of the first-leg match against Nepal on 9/10, after the opponent had only 10 players remaining on the field.

With Laos adhering to their 5-4-1 defensive structure, coach Kim Sang-sik aimed for a convincing victory by enhancing attacking strength and rapid ball movement. Consequently, he decided to field Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai together as advanced number 8s, positioned near the opponent's penalty area.

However, this plan encountered a tight defensive block from Laos, characterized by well-coordinated and systematic pressing.

Hoang Thong