Vietnam stage late rally to clinch Southeast Asian title

HANOI, Dec 28 (Reuters) - Vietnam scored a last gasp second-leg equaliser to finish 1-1 with Thailand and clinch the Southeast Asian championship for the first time on Sunday.

With the match tied 2-2 on aggregate and seconds away from extra time, the dangerous Le Cong Vinh leapt high above the Thai defence to head home Nguyen Minh Phuong's free kick and spark wild celebrations at the My Dinh stadium.

Three-times champions Thailand, upset 2-1 in the first leg, had most of the chances and went ahead after 21 minutes when Teerasil Dangda beat the goalkeeper to head Sutee Suksomkit's free kick into the net.

Thailand paid dearly for their misfiring and conceded a disputed free kick deep into stoppage time, which Vinh flicked into the net to earn Vietnam their first international title.

Here are some pictures I took in Vung Tau. Everybody came out onto the streets with their motorbikes and lots of people were waiving the Vietnamese flag. They were certainly enjoying the moment.