Thai striker Yotsakorn Burapha has declared his team's determination to overturn a 0-2 deficit against Vietnam in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, aiming to make history on Vietnamese soil. "I hope we can make history in Vietnam. I hope My Dinh Stadium is packed, including a large number of Thai fans," said the striker born in 2005. "We will try our best to take the cup from Vietnam. The players have not given up, are still fighting, and will give their all to win."
Thailand faces a challenging task, needing to win by a margin of three goals to secure the championship. A two-goal victory would lead to extra time and potentially a penalty shootout. Historically, no team in the Southeast Asian tournament has ever come back to win the overall title after being two goals down in the first leg. However, Thailand draws motivation from being the last team to defeat Vietnam, with a 2-1 score, in a friendly match at My Dinh Stadium in 9/2024. They are also the only team to have overturned a deficit in a Southeast Asian final, achieving this in 2016 when they lost to Indonesia 1-2 in the first leg and then won 2-0 in the second leg to claim the Cup.
One day after their 0-2 loss to Vietnam in the first leg at Rajamangala Stadium on 22/8, Thailand trained for about one hour. Starting players focused on recovery, while the rest of the squad practiced tactics at BG Stadium in Bangkok. Yotsakorn stated that the entire team must prepare thoroughly, and things will not be too difficult if they unite and fight together.
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Thai striker Yotsakorn Burapha (9) battles Vietnamese defender Pham Xuan Manh (7) during Thailand's 0-2 loss to Vietnam in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand on 22/8/2026. Photo: *ThailandNT*
Yotsakorn regrets Thailand's missed opportunities in the first leg. In the first half, he shot over the bar when facing the goalkeeper. Moments later, Le Giang Patrik denied his left-footed shot with a brilliant save. "If we had capitalized on those chances, we would have had the advantage. Scoring in the first half would have made the game much easier," Yotsakorn stated. "But everything is in the past now. We must focus on the next match."
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Thai defender Oussama Thiangkham (right) vies with Vietnamese midfielder Do Hoang Hen during Vietnam's 2-0 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, at Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand on 22/8/2026. Photo: *Duc Dong*
Defender Oussama Thiangkham also affirmed that the difference between the two teams in the first leg was their ability to capitalize on opportunities, but "everything is not over yet". Thailand is focusing on identifying and rectifying mistakes from the first leg to improve in the second leg. "Playing away against Vietnam will certainly be a tough challenge, but nothing is impossible," said the defender born in 2003.
Yotsakorn is a talented young striker for Thailand, known for his powerful style. He scored in the SEA Games 32nd and 33rd finals, but Thailand lost to Indonesia and Vietnam, respectively. In the ASEAN Cup 2026, the striker has scored 2 goals. Meanwhile, Oussama is a defender of Moroccan descent. He debuted for the Thai national team at the U23 Asian Championship 2026 finals in Saudi Arabia. The ASEAN Cup 2026 is Oussama's first official tournament with the senior national team.
Thailand is expected to travel to Vietnam today, 24/8. The team will have nearly two days to adapt before the second leg of the final at My Dinh Stadium on 26/8.
Highlights of Vietnam's 2-0 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final.
Hieu Luong
