Sarach Yooyen: "Defensive discipline helped Thailand defeat Vietnam"

Midfielder Sarach Yooyen expressed satisfaction after scoring and helping Thailand keep a clean sheet in their 2-0 victory over Vietnam in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 on the evening of 29/9.

At Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Indonesia, Sarach was in the right place in the 10th minute to score a long-range goal. The opening goal gave Thailand a psychological advantage, allowing them to drop deep and play a defensive counter-attacking game, ceding possession to Vietnam.

Sarach was delighted to score against Vietnam. The goal carried significant meaning after he and his team failed to defeat Vietnam in two previous ASEAN Cup 2026 finals. "This time, the team stayed focused and won," the midfielder, born in 1992, stated on the Thailand national team's fanpage. "Our playing style might have been quite defensive. But that's not unusual in football. The commendable thing is that our defensive discipline helped us keep a clean sheet and achieve the best possible result."

Thailand midfielder Sarach Yooyen (6) in action during the 2-0 victory over Vietnam in the second matchday of Group B, FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 First Division, at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium, Bandung, Indonesia on 29/9. *Photo: Duc Dong*

Thailand surprised many by not dominating possession as they usually do. They held only 42% possession, but their tight defense made it difficult for Vietnam to create clear scoring opportunities. The experience of older players like Sarach also helped the team avoid mistakes, unlike when they conceded four goals in the ASEAN Cup final. Thailand's counter-attacks, while not always incisive, still presented chances, such as Sarach's free-kick hitting the post or Peeradol Chamratsamee's header being saved by goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik. Ultimately, substitute midfielder Chaiyaphon Otton perfectly finished a counter-attack to seal the 2-0 victory in second-half stoppage time.

Long-range shots are considered a formidable weapon for Sarach, who has scored many goals for both the national team and his club. This was also the 34-year-old midfielder's second goal against Vietnam. His first was a strike near the 16.5-meter line to make it 2-1 in a 2-2 draw during the first leg of the AFF Cup 2022 final at My Dinh Stadium. Thailand then won the second leg 1-0 with a long-range shot from Theerathon Bunmathan.

Thanks to two consecutive victories, Thailand has secured the top spot in Group B of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 First Division. The team has 6 points, three points more than Vietnam, and a superior head-to-head record. Meanwhile, the Philippines and Pakistan each have one point.

Highlights of Thailand's 2-0 victory over Vietnam.

Sarach noted that the FIFA ASEAN Cup is more intense than recent ASEAN Cup seasons because national teams are sending their best players. He stated: "The competition has become fiercer. Success depends on each team's approach. Players also have more opportunities to compete at an international level."

Thailand is currently preparing for their final group stage match against the Philippines on 2/10. Afterward, the team will travel from Bandung to Jakarta to play the final at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on 5/10. Their opponent will be the winner of Group A, a spot currently contested by Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore.

"We missed out on the ASEAN Cup championship, but we will try our best to bring the FIFA ASEAN Cup home," Sarach said. "We hope we can do it. The final is sure to attract many spectators and create a fantastic atmosphere."