The first-leg triumph also moved the team closer to several remarkable milestones.
Vietnam’s 2-0 victory over Thailand at Rajamangala Stadium on August 22 has put the team in a strong position ahead of the return leg in Hanoi.
Midfielders Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai struck seven minutes apart in the second half as Vietnam secured a 2-0 win over Thailand, putting the team in a strong position ahead of the return leg.
The victory extended Vietnam’s unbeaten run under coach Kim Sang-sik to 25 matches, with 22 wins and three draws, surpassing Thailand’s previous Southeast Asian record of 21 consecutive unbeaten games set in 1995.
It was also Vietnam’s third consecutive victory over Thailand, following their two wins in the 2024 ASEAN Cup final.
Thai media have also highlighted Thailand’s prolonged wait for a win over Vietnam in the ASEAN Cup. According to Siam Sport, Thailand had gone 1,332 days without defeating Vietnam in the regional tournament.
Vietnam’s players also have several individual milestones within reach in the second leg. Vietnam strikers Nguyen Xuan Son and Nguyen Dinh Bac share the tournament’s scoring lead with five goals apiece, one ahead of Thailand’s leading scorer Teerasak Poeiphimai.
Patrik Le Giang has emerged as a contender for the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper award after allowing just one goal and making several vital saves to keep Vietnam’s goal secure.
Vietnam’s victories over higher-ranked Thailand could also boost the team’s position in the FIFA rankings. With Thailand currently ranked above Vietnam, another win over the Thais would earn the Golden Star Warriors additional ranking points and could lift them to around 97th in the world.
The team has also received substantial financial rewards. Following the 2-0 first-leg victory on August 22, the Vietnam Football Federation awarded the team a VND2.5 billion (US$95,000) bonus, bringing total bonuses during the tournament to VND7.5 billion (US$285,000). This is close to the US$300,000 prize awarded to the 2026 ASEAN Cup champions.
On August 23, the Asian Football Confederation announced the referee team for the second leg. UAE referee Ahmed Eisa Mohamed Darwish will take charge of the decisive final, assisted by compatriots Saeed Rashed Mohamed Abdulla Almarzooqi and Yaser Sabeil Ahmed Mohamed Almurshidi. Singapore’s Muhammad Taqi Aljaafari Bin Jahari will serve as the fourth official, while Malaysia’s Subkhiddin bin Mohd Salleh will be the referee supervisor.
The Vietnam national football team’s return to Hanoi was delayed due to the impact of typhoon Narra. The squad had originally been scheduled to depart Bangkok at 3:55 p.m. on August 23, but the flight was rescheduled to 5:50 p.m., nearly two hours later. Despite the disruption, the players remained in good spirits after their convincing 2-0 win over Thailand.
Meanwhile, Thailand coach Anthony Hudson and his players arrived in Vietnam on the morning of August 23 and have two days to train in Hanoi ahead of the second leg.
The return match will be played at My Dinh Stadium at 8 p.m. on August 26, with Vietnam seeking to complete its title defense and claim a fourth ASEAN Cup crown.
