Vietnam will defend a one-goal advantage against Thailand in the second leg of the AFF Suzuki Cup final on Sunday.
Since re-emerging from a long period of international sporting isolation in 1991, the Vietnamese have suffered continual heartbreak against Thailand, losing the South East Asian Games finals in 1995, 1999, 2003 and 2005, and the Asean Football Championship semi-finals in 1996, 2002 and 2007.
That barren run looked set to continue after a 2-0 loss to the Thais in their opening match but Henrique Calisto’s side have grown in confidence during the tournament, eliminating Malaysia and two-time defending champions Singapore on their run to the final.
And after a stunning 2-1 win in Bangkok in Wednesday’s first leg, thanks to goals by Nguyen Vu Phong and Le Cong Vinh, they find themselves just 90 minutes away from making history and ending the frustrations of their long-suffering fans.
However, Calisto wants to keep expectations grounded for the return match at My Dinh National Stadium.
"We have not won anything yet. The win over Thailand in the first leg was good, very good, but it is only the first step. The final is not yet finished," said the Portuguese.
"Thailand are a very good side and they are more experienced than us. We must come down from the win in Bangkok and realise that was just the first half of the final."
Despite his caution, Calisto believes that the team will be highly motivated by the desire to land a first Asean title for their football-mad nation.
"Vietnam has never won a major trophy – we have not won the South-East Asian Games or the Asean Football Championship," he said.
"However, football is beautiful because of the sort of thing that happened on Wednesday night. A weaker team beat a stronger team. Only in football can this happen.
"I am very proud of this team. We are playing with more confidence – that is the secret.
"Also, there is unity in the camp. The boys are honoured to play for the national team. They play with all their heart."
With the away goals rule not in effect, substitute Ronnachai Rangsiyo’s late strike in Bangkok could yet prove crucial for Thailand, who are attempting to win a record fourth Asean title.
Wednesday’s loss was the first setback for the Thais after five consecutive wins and coach Peter Reid knows that his players will have to maintain their discipline if they hope to turn things around.
"Sometimes we lose to another team but there is still another 90 minutes and who is to say that we cannot win in Hanoi," he said.
"We created a lot of chances in the last few games we played but I think that the players seem to get frustrated and that opened the defence.
"We must maintain the back four at all times and not get carried away with the frustration of not being able to score with all the chances we’ve created."
Vietnam right back Doan Viet Cuong and Thailand midfielder Suchao Nutnum will return after being suspended for the first leg.