The goal was scored by Nguyen Cong Phuong in the 88th minute. Several papers saluted the victory of the Vietnam football team. The Asian Football Confederation said Park Hang-seo’s team delivered the fatal blow with substitute Cong Phuong’s fine strike to seal a hard-won victory.
South Korea’s Chosun Ilbo newspaper said the team had a convincing victory due to their ability to control the match. Fox Sports described Cong Phuong as the hero who saw off plucky Bahrain.