Thailand overcame Vietnam 3-2 on aggregate to be crowned the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 champions following a 1-0 second-leg win on Monday.

It was, however, the Vietnamese who struck the opening goal in the first leg before the Thais turned the game on its head with Poramet Arjvirai’s equaliser seeing the pendulum sway in the War Elephants’ direction.

In a campaign that delivered thrilling action from start to finish, Poramet’s goal was one of a number of game-changing moments and we have highlighted six of the best for you to vote for your favourite.

Syihan’s late penalty save

Malaysia took the lead early in the second half of their opening game, away in Myanmar, but deep into stoppage time conceded a penalty that looked likely to see two points dropped.

However, goalkeeper Syihan Hazmi proved the hero, diving to his left to deny Win Naing Tun, as Malaysia picked up a crucial win that ultimately contributed towards a return to the semi-finals.

Bunheing seals famous win

Cambodia have been a team on the rise in recent years, but they had never previously claimed more than three points in a single edition of the AFF Championship, something which changed in 2022 following a pair of victories in Phnom Penh.

Having surrendered a 2-0 lead on the opening day against the Philippines, the Koupreys struck the winner through a Reung Bunheing header. It was arguably their greatest victory ever in the AFF Championship and paved the way for them to claim a best-ever six points after they also beat Brunei Darussalam in their next home game.

Van Lam denies Mukhairi

Vietnam were a goal up but a man down against Malaysia in Hanoi in a game that many thought would decide the winner of Group B and, with the Harimau Malaya putting their hosts under pressure, goalkeeper Dang Van Lam stood tall.

Having already made some excellent saves, Van Lam saved his best for just before half-time when he flew towards his top-right corner to tip Mukhairi Ajmal’s goalbound header over the bar. Vietnam went on to win 3-0 and ultimately finished a point ahead of Malaysia in the standings.

Sarach’s deflected equaliser

With Indonesia a goal up against Thailand in their penultimate Group A match with a little over 10 minutes to play and the War Elephants down to 10 men, the Garuda looked on course to top the standings and advance as table-toppers.

But Sarach Yooyen’s effort from outside the box took a wicked deflection off Ricky Kambuaya and flew into the back of the net. The point helped Thailand top the group while runners-up Indonesia were beaten by Vietnam in the semi-finals.

Van Thanh’s introduction

Vietnam were 2-1 down in the first leg of the final in Hanoi when head coach Park Hang-seo introduced Vu Van Thanh with just five minutes remaining, and it proved a masterstroke from the Korea tactician.

Three minutes later they were level as Van Thanh rifled an effort from distance into the bottom right corner to secure a draw as the Golden Star Warriors ensured they travelled to the second leg in Bangkok with the game in the balance.

Poramet stuns Vietnam

However, it was earlier in the game that arguably saw the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022’s key moment when Poramet Arjvirai netted the first of Thailand’s two crucial away goals as the War Elephants came from a goal down to go 2-1 up and turn the tie firmly in their favour.  

Two minutes after the interval, Theerathon Bunmathan’s ball over the top found Poramet, who turned inside Que Ngoc Hai and fired beyond Van Lam, becoming the first player to score past the Vietnamese at the tournament.  The result meant Vietnam faced an uphill battle in Bangkok, where Theerathon’s goal sealed the title.