Vietnam successfully defended their ASEAN Cup title after a 2-2 draw with Thailand in the second leg of the final at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on August 26 evening, completing a 4-2 aggregate victory.
After a nearly two-month journey filled with emotional matches at ASEAN Cup 2026, Kim and the “Golden Star Warriors” have closed the tournament with a memorable milestone - successfully defending their Southeast Asian crown and adding a new chapter to the history of Vietnamese football.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam called for closer cooperation with FIFA in developing football infrastructure, human resources and international competitions during a reception for FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Hanoi on August 26.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam called on FIFA to continue assisting Vietnam with the training of coaches and referees, enhancing professional expertise and football management capacity, while promoting the development of women’s, school and grassroots football, professional leagues and national teams.
Vietnam drew 2-2 with Thailand in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final on August 26 at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. Vietnam won 4-2 on aggregate to successfully defend their ASEAN Cup title.
If the team hold on to their advantage following the 2-0 away win agaisnt Thailand, Vietnam will claim their fourth ASEAN Cup crown and further cement their status as one of Southeast Asia’s leading national teams
Vietnam moved closer to defending their ASEAN Cup title after beating Thailand 2-0 in the first leg of the final in Bangkok on August 22, putting them in a strong position ahead of the return leg in Hanoi.
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) website particularly highlighted head coach Kim Sang Sik’s decision to bring Nguyen Xuan Son on in the 60th minute, saying Son’s introduction proved decisive, helping Vietnam break through Malaysia’s defensive setup.
ASEAN United FC identified the turning point as the 59th minute, when coach Kim Sang Sik brought Xuan Son onto the pitch. Just three minutes later, the decision paid off as the forward opened the scoring, sending the home crowd into celebration.
Nguyen Xuan Son scored twice as Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the second leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinal at My Dinh National Stadium on August 19 night, securing a 4-0 aggregate victory and a place in the final against Thailand.
Vietnam secured a place in the ASEAN Cup final after defeating Malaysia 2-0 in the second leg of the semifinal.
Vietnam opened the score in stoppage time of the first half. In the fourth minute of added time, Truong Tien Anh delivered an accurate cross from the right, allowing Xuan Son to rise high and head the ball into the net for a 1-0 lead.
“The defending champions topped the group with their third win in four group matches, finishing two points ahead of the Singaporeans, who took second place with eight points, one ahead of Indonesia,” the AFC website reported.
Securing all three points, coach Kim Sang-sik and his squad finished atop Group A with 10 points (three wins, one draw).
ASEAN Football said Vietnam delivered a performance “worthy of the defending champions”, staying composed, well-organised and effective despite the furnace-like atmosphere stoked by roughly 30,000 home fans.
The emphatic away win at Pakansari Stadium lifted Vietnam to the top of Group A with seven points from three matches.