Vietnam secures big win in opening match of AFF U19 Championship

Striker Hoang Cong Hau scored a hat-trick, leading Vietnam to a 3-0 victory over Timor Leste in their opening match of the 2026 AFF U19 Championship on the afternoon of 1/6.

Goals: Cong Hau 2', 83' & 90'+1

Facing Timor Leste in their opening match presented an opportunity for Vietnam to accumulate points and goal difference in the race for the top spot in Group A. Coach Ikeuchi's players quickly took the lead, scoring in the second minute. From Duc Vu's through ball, Cong Hau broke free and chipped the ball past the opposing goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Vietnam started strong with a 3-0 victory over Timor Leste in their opening match of the 2026 AFF U19 Championship in Indonesia. Photo: VFF

The early goal allowed the red-shirted players to play more comfortably, but they could not extend their lead despite creating more chances in the first half. In the 35th minute, Cong Hau shot from a tight angle, but the ball hit the post. Conversely, with their defensive counter-attacking style, Timor Leste troubled Vietnam a few times. Only due to goalkeeper Hoa Xuan Tin's excellent performance did the team avoid conceding an equalizer before halftime.

In the second half, Vietnam brought on Nguyen Van Bach and Quang Anh to add mobility to the midfield. However, the players still struggled and were ineffective in front of goal. It was only when their opponents tired that Vietnam extended their lead.

In the 83rd minute, from a cross on the right wing, unmarked, Cong Hau scored with an acrobatic finish to make it 2-0. In the first minute of stoppage time, Cong Hau broke free down the left wing and shot into the far corner, sealing the 3-0 result.

Cong Hau developed at The Cong youth academy and is currently on loan at Hue FC, playing in the Second Division.

The 2026 AFF U19 Championship is being held in Medan and Deli Serdang, Indonesia, from 1-13/6. Eleven teams are divided into three groups, playing a round-robin format, with the top team from each group and the best-performing second-placed team advancing to the semifinals.

Group A includes: Indonesia, Vietnam, Myanmar, and Timor Leste. Group B consists of: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, and Brunei. Group C features: Australia, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

The Vietnam U19 team could not assemble its strongest squad as some players were busy with graduation exams or playing in the V-League. The two most significant absences are HAGL talents: center-back Dinh Quang Kiet and striker Tran Gia Bao. Young striker Nguyen Le Phat is also absent due to playing for Ninh Binh, while striker Pham Anh Khoi (Belgian origin, Royal Antwerp) suffered a ligament tear.

The AFF U19 Championship was first held in 2002. Thailand and Australia are the most successful teams, each winning the title five times. Specifically, Thailand won in 2002, 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017, while Australia triumphed in 2006, 2008, 2010, 2016, 2019. Malaysia won in 2018 and 2022, and Indonesia in 2013, 2024.

Vietnam has only won once, in 2007, when the tournament took place at Thanh Long Stadium, TP HCM.

On 4/6, Vietnam will face Myanmar at 16:00.