Coach Kim Sang-sik and his players train at Madya field, part of the Gelora Bung Karno complex, Jakarta, Indonesia, on the afternoon of 1/10/2026. Photo: Duc Dong

*Vietnam - Pakistan: 4 PM Friday, 2/10, on VnExpress.

The 0-2 loss to arch-rival Thailand in the previous match not only cost Vietnam a place in the final but also ended the team's 27-match unbeaten streak. This defeat left a lingering impact on fans. Questions arose about tactics, personnel, and even the competence of Coach Kim Sang-sik, despite his achievements of leading Vietnam to two consecutive ASEAN Cup titles, a SEA Games gold medal, a U23 Southeast Asia Championship, and a U23 Asian Championship bronze medal.

Regardless, the tournament continues, and Vietnam has no time to dwell on regret. The immediate task for Coach Kim and his team is clear: secure at least one point against Pakistan to face Malaysia in the third-place play-off.

"We regret the result of the previous match, but the entire team has no time for sadness," the South Korean coach shared before the afternoon practice on 1/10. "The match against Pakistan is important for the team to regain face and accumulate FIFA points. Vietnam's only goal now is a win to aim for the third-place play-off."

Coach Kim also affirmed this match is an opportunity for players to learn and mature, implying the need to accept reality and move forward.

Following the less effective experiments in the match against Thailand, Coach Kim will likely make significant changes. It is probable that the optimal lineup, featuring the familiar 3-4-3 formation, will be reinstated to pursue a dominant victory.

The return of captain Nguyen Hoang Duc to midfield will be a launchpad for Vietnam to control the central area. In attack, young talents like Nguyen Dinh Bac and Vietnamese-overseas striker Williams Minh Hoang are expected to have ample opportunities to fine-tune their finishing. This preparation is also essential if Vietnam advances to face the much more formidable opponent, Malaysia.

Dinh Bac dribbles during Vietnam's 0-2 loss to Thailand in the second match of Group B, First Division FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, at Si Jalak Harupat stadium, Bandung, Indonesia, on 29/9/2026. Photo: Duc Dong

Theoretically, Vietnam faces an easier match, as Pakistan is ranked 99 places below Vietnam in FIFA rankings. This gap reflects a significant difference in skill and class. In their opening match, the South Asian team suffered a 0-4 loss to Thailand.

However, Pakistan's surprising 2-2 draw against the Philippines in the second match serves as a stark warning to Vietnam. After falling behind by two goals, Coach Solano Nolberto's players showed resilience to snatch one point. Pakistan's greatest weapon lies in their unwavering spirit in the face of adversity. If Vietnam enters the match with complacency or squanders opportunities, the cost could be severe.

Fourteen of Pakistan's 23 players at the FIFA ASEAN Cup play abroad. Notable players include goalkeeper Yousuf Butt, who plays for Ishoj IF in the Danish fourth tier; captain and center-back Abdullah Iqbal, who plays for Mjallby in the Swedish championship; and striker Abdul Arshad, who is with Kolding IF in the Danish championship.

Coach Nolberto Solano acknowledges Vietnam's strength, but he uses Coach Kim Sang-sik's team's defeat against Thailand to demonstrate that even a strong team with a long unbeaten streak can lose at any time. The Peruvian coach believes Pakistan can continue to cause upsets.

Coach Nolberto Solano gives instructions during the 2-2 draw against the Philippines in the second match of Group B, First Division FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, at Si Jalak Harupat stadium, Bandung, Indonesia, on 29/9/2026. Photo: Duc Dong

"We don't want to go home early. We want to stay until the tournament ends," Solano stated. "Vietnam certainly wants to conclude the tournament impressively. Therefore, we will prepare thoroughly to cope."

Coach Solano, born in 1974, is a renowned Peruvian player who spent ten years playing in the English Premier League for Newcastle, Aston Villa, and West Ham between 1996-2006. He also scored 20 goals in 95 matches for his national team. His coaching career led him to Pakistan, a country where cricket is the national sport and football ranks much lower, lacking a proper national championship. The FIFA ASEAN Cup is thus a golden opportunity for Pakistan to compete against top 100 FIFA teams like Thailand and Vietnam.

Predicted lineups:

Vietnam (3-4-3): Trung Kien; Adou Minh, Viet Anh, Xuan Manh; Tien Anh, Thanh Long, Hoang Duc, Cao Pendant Quang Vinh; Dinh Bac, Williams Minh Hoang, Hoang Hen.

Pakistan (4-4-2): Butt; Fazal, Afridi, Iqbal, Suliman; Shahzad, Ghazi, Akbar Khan, Nawaz; Mahmood, Haris Zeb.

Hieu Luong