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England's coach Anthony Hudson of Thailand holds a press conference in Indonesia ahead of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. Photo: ThailandNT |
Thailand secured a 2-0 victory over Vietnam in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, guaranteeing their top spot in Group B and a place in the first division final. This win, their second consecutive, took place on the evening of 29/9 at Si Jalak Harupat Stadium in Indonesia. This result gives Thailand 6 points, three more than Vietnam, along with a superior head-to-head record. The Philippines and Pakistan each have one point.
The match saw Thailand open the scoring in the 10th minute with a shot from distance by Sarach Yooyen. The game became tight, often favoring defense, with attacking efforts frequently stalled. In the second half, Vietnam revitalized their midfield and attack, bringing on Nguyen Hoang Duc, Do Hoang Hen, and Williams Minh Hoang. Nguyen Hoang Duc had Vietnam's best opportunity after a through pass from Do Hoang Hen, but his shot with his weaker right foot was not challenging enough to beat Saranon Anuin.
Conversely, Thailand adopted a deep defensive strategy, using many players to counter-attack. In the 81st minute, Peeradol Chamratsamee's header inside the box forced Le Giang Patrik into a save. The victory was sealed in the fourth minute of injury time when Chaiyaphon Otton broke the offside trap and beat Patrik in a one-on-one situation, making it 2-0 for the Thais.
Looking ahead, the final group stage matches will take place on 2/10. Thailand will play the Philippines, while Vietnam must contend with Pakistan to secure second place, which would allow them to participate in the third-place playoff match.
Duc Dong
