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Captured from the ASEAN United FC official website

The Vietnamese national football team, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, won the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup final, extending its unbeaten run to 25 international matches.

Vietnam claimed a convincing 2-0 victory in the first leg of the final against Thailand held at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, on the 22nd. As the defending champions of the tournament, Vietnam secured an advantageous position toward winning back-to-back titles. In the second leg to be played at home on the 26th, Vietnam will clinch the title even if it loses by a single goal or draws.

In the previous 2024 tournament, Vietnam also defeated Thailand to claim its third overall title (2008, 2018, and 2024). Thailand, its opponent, holds the record for the most tournament titles with six, and the two sides have been competing for football supremacy in the ASEAN region. Coach Kim, who also guided Vietnam to victory two years ago, is challenging for new history in this tournament, which marked its 30th anniversary with Hyundai taking over as the title sponsor. Winning back-to-back titles in this tournament is a feat that was not achieved even by former head coach Park Hang-seo, the original hero. Coach Park led Vietnam to one championship in the tournament in 2018.

ESPN evaluated that Coach Kim's exquisite substitutions hit the mark once again in this match. Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai, who came on as second-half substitutes, scored consecutive goals. Having started Rafaelson, Coach Kim brought on Nguyen Hai Long in the 13th minute of the second half, and Nguyen Hai Long met expectations by scoring the opening goal just four minutes later. Seven minutes later, Nguyen Quang Hai, who was also brought on as a substitute in the second half, added an insurance goal with a shot directed inside the near post. Following the previous semifinal second leg against Malaysia where Rafaelson came on as a substitute to score two goals, the reverse substitution tactic succeeded in this match, highlighting Coach Kim's tactical management. Thailand mounted an offensive to recover, but was repeatedly denied by saves from Vietnam goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang.

Along with the victory, Vietnam extended its unbeaten streak in international matches to 25 games (22 wins, 3 draws). If Vietnam wins the championship without losing in the second leg of the final, it will renew this record to 26 matches.

                                                                                                            Lee Jang-won