Hanoi: One of the unsung heroes of Vietnam’s AFF Suzuki Cup triumph has been goalkeeper Dang Van Lam and he was likely the only member of the Golden Stars who didn’t have family present to cheer him on in front of a packed house at My Dinh Stadium on Saturday evening.

Indeed, the Russian born custodian’s parents were back in Moscow and were so nervous about the match that they decided to head to Church rather than watching their son play.

“For all of the group games, and the semifinals and the finals they couldn’t watch because for me it was my first major tournament.

“Still now I haven't had a chance to talk with them because they were too nervous so they went to Church and were just checking the result on their phones.”

That, of course, was also the case right across Vietnam with tickets for the match sold out as soon as they went on sale but for those fortunate enough to be in Hanoi it’s a moment they’ll never forget.

Ten years after the nation’s previous regional title, Van Lam and his teammates delivered the second after Nguyen Anh Duc scored in the sixth minute to seal a 1-0 win on the evening and a 3-2 aggregate victory.

That sparked a party that began on the streets outside the stadium and carried on until the early hours of the morning.

“For us, after ten years we did it again.

“All Vietnamese people were waiting for ten years so we’re so happy.

“It’s an amazing feeling to be able to do this again ten years after the last time.

“The whole team did everything we could and to win here in front of our home supporters at My Dinh and to have a Gold Medal and the Cup we’re just so happy.”