Miracle of Hanoi

The Philippines prior to the 2010s were regarded as one of the weakest national teams in Asia.{{cite news |date=December 7, 2010 |title=Hanoi miracle: Filipino booters make history |url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest%2BNews/Sports/Story/A1Story20101207-251342.html |url-status=deviated |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=AsiaOne |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer, Asia News Network}} The Philippines had to qualify for the tournament proper of the 2010 AFF Championship, also known as the Suzuki Cup for sponsorship reasons. Along with Laos, the Philippines clinched the two contested berths for the 2010 AFF Championship in the qualifiers.{{cite news |last1=Pedralvez |first1=Manolo |title=10 years on, Azkals' Rob Gier reflects on 'The Miracle in Hanoi' |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/06/22/20/football-10-years-on-azkals-rob-gier-reflects-on-on-the-miracle-in-hanoi |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=June 22, 2020}} Ian Araneta's hat trick in a 5–0 win over Timor-Leste was a significant factor in securing the Philippines' qualification to the tournament proper, since they, Laos, and Cambodia were tied in points.{{cite news |last1=Co |first1=Adrian Stewart |title=Gier: Barotacnon Araneta key role in Azkals' historic 2010 Suzuki run |url=http://www.panaynews.net/gier-barotacnon-araneta-key-role-in-azkals-historic-2010-suzuki-run/ |access-date=August 4, 2020 |work=Panay News |date=June 24, 2020}}

Dan Palami became involved as the national team's manager and main sponsor in December 2009, with the Philippine Football Federation allowing Palami to have autonomy over its management. Palami was in charge of recruiting players and hiring the coach of the team. Des Bulpin was hired as head coach shortly after Palami's entry but Bulpin was replaced by Simon McMenemy. Palami gathered both local-based players and foreigners of Filipino descent alike to form a squad and focused on the team's defense. He also had to fund the team since the only major private sponsor prior to the 2010 AFF Championship is sportwear outfitter Mizuno.{{cite web|last=Biantan|first=Jack|url=http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/dan-palami-savior-rp-football |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503191341/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/cagayan-de-oro/sports/dan-palami-savior-rp-football|archive-date=May 3, 2011|title=Dan Palami savior of RP football |publisher=Sun.Star |date=November 3, 2010|access-date=July 15, 2020}}

The Philippines' squad for the 2010 AFF Championship had seven players which were part of the national team that played at the 2004 edition of the same tournament. These were Ian Araneta, Aly Borromeo, Emelio Caligdong, Roel Gener, Anton del Rosario, Peter Jaugan and Chris Greatwich.

Entering the group stage, three-time champions Singapore and defending champions and hosts Vietnam were favored to advance to the semifinals. The Philippines started their campaign with a 1–1 draw with Singapore through an injury-time goal from Chris Greatwich.{{cite news |last1=Ventura |first1=Sid |title=Flashback: The prelude to the Miracle in Hanoi |url=https://www.espn.com/story/_/id/25261717/philippines-azkals-flashback-prelude-miracle-hanoi |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=ESPN5 |date=November 13, 2018}} This result ended the Philippines' eleven-match losing streak to Singapore, which dates back to the former's heavy 0–5 loss at the 1972 President's Cup in South Korea. Vietnam routed Myanmar with seven goals, with the opposition only managing to reply with a single goal.

Prior to the match, the Philippines had never won against Vietnam with a record of five defeats and two 2–2 draws since the unification of North and South Vietnam.{{cite news |last1=Moore |first1=Roy |title=Azkals need to repeat 2010 Suzuki Cup heroics against Vietnam |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/football/283864/azkals-need-to-repeat-2010-suzuki-cup-heroics-against-vietnam/story/ |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=GMA News |date=November 26, 2012}} Philippines head coach Simon McMenemy said that his team would improve on their counterattacking while his Vietnam counterpart Henrique Calisto remarked that his team would have to overcome the Philippines' defense.{{cite news |title=RP tackles defending champ Vietnam in Suzuki Cup |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/04/10/rp-tackles-defending-champ-vietnam-suzuki-cup |access-date=July 15, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=December 4, 2010}}

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
width=175|Team !width=20|Pld !width=20|W !width=20|D !width=20|L !width=20|GF !width=20|GA !width=20|GD !width=20|Pts
style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|VIE}} |1	1	0	0	7	1	+6	3
style="border-bottom:3px solid green;" |style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SIN}} |1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|PHI}} |1	0	1	0	1	1	0	1
style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MYA}} |1	0	0	1	1	7	−6	0

The match began at 19:30 (UTC+7){{cite web |title=AFF Suzuki Cup 2010: Match Summary Match No. 8 |url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/images/reports/ph2vn0.jpg |website=AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120911075521/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/images/reports/ph2vn0.jpg |archive-date=September 11, 2012}} before a crowd of 40,000 spectators.{{cite web |title=Philippines 2 Vietnam 0: Vietnam humbled by resolute Philippines |url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=735734 |publisher=AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 |access-date=July 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101207052530/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/CustomContentRetrieve.aspx?ID=735734 |archive-date=December 7, 2010 |date=December 6, 2010}} Roel Gener started in lieu of Emelio Caligdong. Phil Younghusband experienced a stomachache throughout the game, reportedly due to something he ate during his team's breakfast earlier the same day.{{cite news |last1=Olivares |first1=Rick |title=Phil Younghusband's stomach flu game |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2020/06/14/2020836/phil-younghusbands-stomach-flu-game |access-date=July 15, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=June 14, 2020}}

The Philippines was the first team to have a close chance to score in the 18th minute, when the Vietnamese defenders failed to avert a corner kick by Phil Younghusband. The ball reached Ian Araneta but he failed to capitalize, with his shot going far off the post. A minute later Phạm Thành Lương's attempt was blocked by Filipino goalkeeper Neil Etheridge. However, some minutes following that chance Etheridge handled the ball outside his penalty area, conceding a free kick. Nguyễn Minh Phương's curved shot went past the wall but came wide. In the 38th minute Chris Greatwich opened the scoring for the Philippines, who held on for the rest of the first half.

Vietnam made several attempts to equalize in the second half: Nguyễn Vũ Phong failed to score from the edge in the 58th minute, Nguyễn Anh Đức was stopped by Rob Gier and substitute Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng had his attempt saved by Etheridge two minutes after he entered the pitch.

Phil Younghusband scored the Philippines' second goal when he made a low shot on Vietnam's side of the pitch that Dương Hồng Sơn could not keep out.

{{football box

| date = December 5, 2010

| time = 19:30

| team1 = {{fb-rt|PHI}}

| score = 2–0

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20120911075521/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/images/reports/ph2vn0.jpg Report]

| team2 = {{fb|VIE}}

| goals1 = C. Greatwich {{goal|38}}
P. Younghusband {{goal|79}}

| goals2 =

| stadium = Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi

| attendance = 40,000

| referee = Jimmy Napitupulu (Indonesia)

}}

width=92% |

{{Football kit | pattern_la = | pattern_b = _PHI | pattern_ra = | pattern_sh = | leftarm = FFFFFF | body = FFFFFF | rightarm = FFFFFF | shorts = FFFFFF | socks = FFFFFF | title = Philippines }} |{{Football kit | pattern_la = _VIE10h | pattern_b = _VIE10h | pattern_ra = _VIE10h | pattern_sh = _vie10h | pattern_so = _vie10h | leftarm = FF0000 | body = FF0000 | rightarm = FF0000 | shorts = FF0000 | socks = FF0000 | title = Vietnam }}

width="100%" |valign="top" width="50%"| {| style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
width="25"|	width="25"|
GK	1	Neil Etheridge	{{yel|20}}
RB	11	Aly Borromeo (c)
CB	4	Anton del Rosario
CB	2	Rob Gier
LB	27	Ray Jónsson
RM	7	James Younghusband
CM	18	Chris Greatwich
CM	17	Jason de Jong	{{yel|53}}
LM	6	Roel Gener		{{suboff|90+4}}
SS	23	Ian Araneta
CF	10	Phil Younghusband		{{suboff|86}}
colspan=4|Substitutes:
MF	19	Nestorio Margarse		{{subon|86}}
FW	9	Yanti Barsales		{{subon|90+4}}
colspan=4|Head coach:
colspan="4"|{{flagicon|SCO}} Simon McMenemy

|valign="top" width="50%"|

style="font-size: 90%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"
width="25"|	width="25"|
GK	1	Dương Hồng Sơn
RB	16	Huỳnh Quang Thanh
CB	4	Lê Phước Tứ	{{yel|43}}
CB	7	Vũ Như Thành		{{suboff|81}}
LB	6	Trần Đình Đồng	{{yel|63}}	{{suboff|71}}
CM	12	Nguyễn Minh Phương (c)
CM	22	Phan Văn Tài Em
CM	14	Lê Tấn Tài		{{suboff|62}}
AM	17	Nguyễn Vũ Phong
AM	19	Phạm Thành Lương
CF	30	Nguyễn Anh Đức
colspan=4|Substitutes:
MF	11	Nguyễn Trọng Hoàng		{{subon|62}}
FW	26	Lê Sỹ Mạnh		{{subon|71}}
FW	13	Nguyễn Quang Hải		{{subon|81}}
colspan=4|Head coach:
colspan="4"|{{flagicon|POR}} Henrique Calisto

|}

The Philippines found themselves topping Group B following the conclusion of the second matchday.{{cite news |last1=Malig |first1=Jojo |title=Philippines humbles defending champ Vietnam in Suzuki Cup |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/05/10/azkals-humble-defending-champ-vietnam-suzuki-cup |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=December 5, 2010}}

Immediately after the match, Vietnam's coach Henrique Calisto refused to shake hands with his Philippine counterpart Simon McMenemy. Calisto later rebuked the Philippines' tactics as "poor football" and was critical of the Philippines for "putting the bus in front of the goal", remarking that "football is not putting eight players in front of the area with no offensive system". McMenemy for his part was left in disbelief at his team's feat.{{cite news |last1=Malig |first1=Jojo |title=Vietnam football coach bitter over loss to Philippines |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/06/10/vietnam-football-coach-bitter-over-loss-philippines |access-date=July 15, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=December 6, 2010}}

After the win, the Philippines had to secure at least a draw against Myanmar to ensure their place in the semifinals, which they managed to do to finish ahead of Singapore to face Indonesia in the two-legged semifinals.{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Jonathan |title=Year-ender: 2010 was the year of the PHL Azkals |url=https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/sports/content/209501/year-ender-2010-was-the-year-of-the-phl-azkals/story/ |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=GMA News |date=December 31, 2010}} Meanwhile, Vietnam snatched back first place courtesy of wins against Myanmar and Singapore.

;Group B final standings

class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
width=175|Team !width=20|Pld !width=20|W !width=20|D !width=20|L !width=20|GF !width=20|GA !width=20|GD !width=20|Pts
bgcolor=#ccffcc |style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|VIE}} |3	2	0	1	8	3	+5	6
bgcolor=#ccffcc |style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|PHI}} |3	1	2	0	3	1	+2	5
style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|SIN}} |3	1	1	1	3	3	0	4
style="text-align:left;"|{{fb|MYA}} |3	0	1	2	2	9	−7	1

However, the Azkals had to play both of their matches before a hostile crowd at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, as they had no available stadium that conforms to AFF standards at the time. Even the Rizal Memorial Stadium was still months away from completing renovation.{{cite news|url=http://www.affsuzukicup.com/_webapp_740770/Press_statement_from_AFF_-_Confirmed_venues_for_knock-out_stages |title=Press statement from AFF - Confirmed venues for knockout stages |work=AFFSuzukiCup.com |date=9 December 2010 |url-status = dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101210164013/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/_webapp_740770/Press_statement_from_AFF_-_Confirmed_venues_for_knock-out_stages |archive-date=10 December 2010 }} Unable to withstand immense pressure from Indonesian fans, the Philippines ended their fairytale journey after losing both legs without scoring a single goal.

;Knockout stage bracket

{{4TeamBracket-2legs

| RD1=Semi-finals

| RD2=Final

| RD1-seed1=A2

| RD1-team1= {{fb|MAS}}

| RD1-score1-1= 2

| RD1-score1-2= 0

| RD1-score1-A= 2

| RD1-seed2=B1

| RD1-team2= {{fb|VIE}}

| RD1-score2-1= 0

| RD1-score2-2= 0

| RD1-score2-A= 0

| RD1-seed3=B2

| RD1-team3= {{fb|PHI}}

| RD1-score3-1= 0

| RD1-score3-2= 0

| RD1-score3-A= 0

| RD1-seed4=A1

| RD1-team4= {{fb|IDN}}

| RD1-score4-1= 1

| RD1-score4-2= 1

| RD1-score4-A= 2

| RD2-seed1=A2

| RD2-team1= {{fb|MAS}}

| RD2-score1-1= 3

| RD2-score1-2= 1

| RD2-score1-A= 4

| RD2-seed2=A1

| RD2-team2= {{fb|IDN}}

| RD2-score2-1= 0

| RD2-score2-2= 2

| RD2-score2-A= 2

}}

;Semifinals – Philippines v Indonesia

{{football box

| date = December 16, 2010

| time = 19:00 UTC+7

| team1 = {{fb-rt|PHI}}

| score = 0–1

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20101219114321/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/_webapp_747864/Philippines_0_Indonesia_1_-_Gonzales_puts_Indonesia_on_top Report]

| team2 = {{fb|IDN}}

| goals1 =

| goals2 = Gonzáles {{goal|32}}

| stadium = Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta

| attendance = 70,000

| referee = Masoud Moradi (Iran)

}}

{{football box

| date = December 19, 2010

| time = 19:00 UTC+7

| team1 = {{fb-rt|IDN}}

| score = 1–0

| report = [https://web.archive.org/web/20101221113117/http://www.affsuzukicup.com/_webapp_749660/Indonesia_1_Philippines_0_-_Gonzales_fires_Indonesia_into_final Report]

| team2 = {{fb|PHI}}

| goals1 = Gonzáles {{goal|43}}

| goals2 =

| stadium = Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta

| attendance = 88,000

| referee = Ali Abdulnabi (Bahrain)

}}

Indonesia won 2–0 on aggregate.

The match was broadcast live by VTV in Vietnam{{Cite web |date=2010-11-18 |title=VTV độc quyền phát sóng AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 |trans-title=VTV is the sole broadcaster for the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup |url=https://www.baohoabinh.com.vn/15/52431/VTV-doc-quyen-phat-song-AFF-Suzuki-Cup-2010.htm |access-date=2025-01-13 |publisher=Báo Hoà Bình |language=vi}} and ABS-CBN in the Philippines. Prior to that match, no Philippines-based firm had rights to broadcast the 2010 AFF Championship in the country. (The Azkals' tie with Singapore was not broadcast live in the Philippines.){{cite book |author-last=Villegas |author-first=Bernardo |author-link=Bernardo Villegas |editor1-last=Ramirez |editor1-first=Alberto|title=Philippine Football: Its Past, Its Future |date=2016 |publisher=University of Asia and the Pacific |pages=174–176 |language=en |contribution=Many Hands–and Feet–are Trying to Reach Out|contributor-last=Velasco|contributor-first=Bill}}

ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio Lopez III personally called then ABS-CBN Sports vice president Peter Musñgi to secure broadcasting rights for ABS-CBN to air live matches of the Philippines at the 2010 AFF Championship on December 5, the same day that the Philippines–Vietnam match was scheduled. In turn, Musñgi negotiated with the tournament's Singapore-based broadcast rights owner. ABS-CBN was also asked if it could potentially cover a potential Azkals match at home if they progressed to the semifinals. Musñgi pledged that the media firm had the capability. Musñgi managed to secure the rights for free, relying on the fact that it was the first time that a Philippine broadcaster would cover the tournament.

The milestone match in Philippine football history would be later be referred to as the Miracle of Hanoi by Filipino fans.{{cite news |title=International media impressed with Vietnam's AFF Cup final berth |url=https://en.nhandan.org.vn/sports/item/6928702-2018-national-games-creating-strong-momentum-for-vietnamese-sports%E2%80%99-development.html?PageSpeed=noscript |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=Nhan Dan |date=December 7, 2018}}{{cite news |title=The Azkals: Chasing football glory |url=https://manilastandard.net/spotlight/284426/the-azkals-chasing-football-glory.html |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=Manila Standard |date=January 3, 2019}}{{cite web |title=James Younghusband: Azkals on the right path |url=https://www.the-afc.com/news/afcsection/james-younghusband-azkals-on-the-right-path |publisher=Asian Football Confederation |access-date=July 14, 2020 |date=July 8, 2020}} It is widely regarded to have marked the start of a "renaissance" in the state of football in the Philippines{{cite news |title="Miracle of Hanoi Part 2", kailangan ng Philippine Azkals kontra Vietnam mamayang gabi |url=https://rmn.ph/suzuki-cup-miracle-of-hanoi-part-2-kailangan-ng-philippine-azkals-kontra-vietnam-mamayang-gabi/ |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=RMN News |date=December 6, 2018 |language=fil}}{{cite news |last1=Tupas |first1=Cedelf |title=PH eleven remembers the miracle of Hanoi |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/73479/ph-eleven-remembers-the-miracle-of-hanoi |access-date=July 15, 2020 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=November 27, 2012}} and was considered one of the Philippines' biggest upsets in AFF Championship history along with their win over Timor Leste in the 2004 edition.

The Philippine national football team paid an official courtesy call with then-President Benigno Aquino III at the Malacañang Palace in Manila who congratulated them for their performance in the championship. The team was conferred with the Presidential Achievement Award by the Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA). Team manager Dan Palami was also recognized for his contribution in forming the national team and was named Executive of the Year.{{cite news |title=Booters cited for AFF Cup feat |url=https://www.philstar.com/sports/2011/02/08/655126/booters-cited-aff-cup-feat |access-date=July 15, 2020 |work=The Philippine Star |date=February 8, 2011}}{{cite news |title=Azkals, Palami win PSA major awards |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/03/07/11/azkals-palami-win-psa-major-awards |access-date=July 15, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=March 8, 2011}}

The win contributed to the increase of interest in football in the Philippines. It was followed by a successful bid to qualify for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup and the second round of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 2011.{{cite news |last1=Tupas |first1=Cedelf |title=Yearender: Football scales new heights with Philippine Azkals |url=https://sports.inquirer.net/30585/yearender-football-scales-new-heights-with-philippine-azkals |access-date=July 15, 2020 |work=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=January 2, 2012}} Eventually this culminated in even greater success: qualification for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, which was the first major tournament in the country's football history.

The Azkals' win was included in Sports Illustrated's top ten association football stories for 2010.{{cite news |title=Azkals' win 10th top soccer story of Sports Illustrated |url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/sports/12/23/10/azkals%E2%80%99-win-10th-top-soccer-story-sports-illustrated |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=ABS-CBN News |date=December 23, 2010}}

Vietnam and the Philippines were drawn in the same group in the following edition of the AFF Championship in 2012. Again Vietnam lost to the Philippines but this time by a single goal.{{cite news |title=Vietnam fails to slay Azkals ghost of 2010 |url=https://www.spin.ph/football/ghost-of-2010-haunts-vietnam-anew-with-loss-to-azkals?ref=article_tag |access-date=July 14, 2020 |work=Sports Interactive Network Philippines |date=November 27, 2012}} Thailand and the Philippines eventually advanced to the semifinals at Vietnam's expense. {{As of|2025|1}}, this was the Philippines' last major win over Vietnam, with defeats in the 2014 and 2018 AFF Championships. The Philippines almost won their tie against Vietnam in the 2024 edition with their opponent scoring an equalizer in extra time.{{cite news |title=Philippines denied 'Miracle of Hanoi' repeat as Deyto makes heartbreaking last-gasp error |url=https://www.espn.com.sg/soccer/story/_/id/43041462/philippines-denied-miracle-hanoi-repeat-patrick-deyto-heartbreaking-last-gasp-error |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=ESPN.com |date=18 December 2024 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Dacleson |first1=Rodolfo II |title=‘A game of mistakes’: Capellas rues Philippines’ draw with Vietnam, defends Deyto |url=https://news.tv5.com.ph/sports/read/a-game-of-mistakes-capellas-rues-philippines-draw-with-vietnam-defends-deyto |access-date=6 January 2025 |work=News5 |date=19 December 2024}}

The match's outcome created a huge shock for the country, marking the slow end of Vietnam's second golden generation. Even though Vietnam managed to reach the semi-finals, they failed to defend the title, losing to Malaysia 0–2 on aggregate.{{Cite web|url=https://en.nhandan.org.vn/sports/item/76902-.html|title=Vietnam lose 0-2 to Malaysia}} This led to an eight-year "dark age" of Vietnamese football, culminating in back-to-back group stage exits in the 2012 edition and the 2013 Sea Games.

The failure to produce promised performances was further exacerbated by accusations of nepotism and corruption within the national team. At the 2014 AFF Championship, which Vietnam topped their group with a win over the Philippines, the team was suddenly defeated in a shock 2–4 home loss to Malaysia despite winning 2–1 away earlier, and was eliminated.{{cite web|url=http://www.thanhniennews.com/sports/vietnam-to-investigate-team-bank-accounts-after-shocking-aff-cup-loss-35253.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723235610/http://www.thanhniennews.com/sports/vietnam-to-investigate-team-bank-accounts-after-shocking-aff-cup-loss-35253.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 23, 2015|title=Vietnam to investigate team bank accounts after shocking AFF Cup loss|author=Lan Phuong|publisher=Thanh Niên|date=14 December 2014|access-date=20 July 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/sports/20141215/no-sign-of-match-rigging-detected-in-vietnam-malaysia-semi-aff/37579.html|title=No sign of match-rigging detected in Vietnam-Malaysia semi: AFF|publisher=Tuổi Trẻ|date=15 December 2014|access-date=20 July 2019}} Vietnam was also eliminated in the 2016 AFF Championship and, most humiliatingly, the 2017 SEA Games. Vietnam struggled during qualification for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, as Cambodia managed to beat Afghanistan at home while Vietnam could only get a draw. In fact, in their home match, Vietnam failed to create notable chances against Afghanistan, and could have lost if their opponents were more clinical.{{Cite news |last= |title=Việt Nam hòa Afghanistan, giành vé dự Asian Cup 2019 |trans-title=Vietnam draws with Afghanistan, qualifies for Asian Cup 2019 |url=https://vnexpress.net/viet-nam-hoa-afghanistan-gianh-ve-du-asian-cup-2019-3670386-tong-thuat.html |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221022113611/https://vnexpress.net/viet-nam-hoa-afghanistan-gianh-ve-du-asian-cup-2019-3670386-tong-thuat.html |archive-date=2022-10-22 |access-date=2025-01-12 |work=VnExpress |language=vi}} In the end, a draw was enough for them to clinch a spot in the Asian Cup. Mishandling was another factor leading to Vietnam's deterioration of performance, as seen with three managers being replaced in just a short amount of time.

Only after the successful performance of the youth team in the 2018 AFC U-23 Championship and emergence of new talents from this competition did Vietnamese football start to reclaim its place, marking the end of eight years of darkness. Vietnam won the 2018 AFF Championship and reached the last eight of the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.

{{reflist}}

{{Vietnam national football team}}

{{Philippines national football team}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Miracle of Hanoi}}

Category:2010 AFF Championship

Category:AFF Championship matches

Category:Vietnam national football team matches

Category:Philippines national football team matches

Category:December 2010 sports events in Asia

Category:2010 in Philippine football