Defending champions Vietnam have taken a commanding step towards retaining the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 final crown, beating Thailand 2-0 in the first leg at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday night.
Two second-half strikes from substitutes Nguyễn Hai Long and Nguyễn Quang Hải handed Kim Sang-sik’s side a two-goal cushion to carry into Wednesday’s return leg in Hanoi, leaving seven-time champions Thailand with a mountain to climb if they are to reclaim the regional title.
How the first leg unfolded
The tie stayed goalless through a cagey opening hour before Vietnam’s bench changed the game. Nguyễn Hai Long broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute, and Nguyễn Quang Hải doubled the lead just seven minutes later to silence the Bangkok crowd.
Player of the Match and the road to Hanoi
Vietnam goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang was named Hyundai Player of the Match after a composed display that kept Thailand at bay. It caps a strong run for Kim Sang-sik’s side, who booked their place in the final after edging past their semi-final opponents earlier in the tournament.
Fixture — Final, Leg 2
Vietnam v Thailand, Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi — Wednesday, 26 August, 8pm local time (1pm GMT). Vietnam lead 2-0 on aggregate.
A milestone edition
This year’s tournament, which set up the Vietnam-Thailand final, marks the 30th anniversary of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup, the jewel in the crown of Southeast Asian football. Playmaker Nguyễn Quang Hải will again be one to watch as Vietnam look to close out the tie on home soil.
Vietnam need only avoid a heavy defeat in Hanoi to lift the trophy, while Thailand must overturn a two-goal deficit against a side that has yet to concede a goal that mattered in this final.
Photos: SPORTFIVE, free to publish with coverage of this media release.
