Vietnam entered the 2026 ASEAN Cup as the reigning champion, having defeated Thailand with an aggregate score of 5-3 in the 2024 final. Two years later, coach Kim Sang Sik’s squad once again overcame the same opponent in the championship match. The national team secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg and a 2-2 draw in the second leg, ultimately claiming the title with an aggregate score of 4-2.

Vietnam national football team celebrates winning the Southeast Asian championship after drawing 2-2 with Thailand (4-2 aggregate) in the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final at My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi, on the evening of 26/8. Photo: Duc Dong

This marks the first time in ASEAN Cup history that the Vietnam national team has successfully defended its championship title. Previously, despite the tournament undergoing various formats, no Vietnamese team had achieved this feat. Thailand had dominated the tournament during several periods, and Singapore also enjoyed successful eras, but Vietnam had to wait until 2026 to achieve this milestone.

This accomplishment also places Vietnam on par with Singapore, both holding four ASEAN Cup championships. Thailand continues to lead the tournament's history with seven titles. Vietnam previously won in 2008, 2018, and 2024, before adding its fourth title in 2026.

The 2026 championship also makes Kim Sang Sik the first coach to win the ASEAN Cup two times with Vietnam. He led the team to victory in 2024 and successfully defended the title two years later.

Before Kim Sang Sik, Henrique Calisto and Park Hang-seo each secured one championship with Vietnam. Calisto guided the team to the title in 2008, while Park led Vietnam to victory in 2018.

Key moments of the match.

Kim Sang Sik’s record is further highlighted by his ownership of the longest unbeaten streak in Southeast Asian football history. Following the 2026 ASEAN Cup, Vietnam has gone 26 consecutive matches without a loss under the South Korean coach. The previous record belonged to Thailand, with 21 unbeaten matches between 1995 and 1996.

Another milestone belongs to Nguyen Xuan Son. The Vietnamese forward became the second player in ASEAN Cup history to win the Golden Boot award two consecutive times, following Teerasil Dangda of Thailand.

Xuan Son topped the scoring charts at the 2024 ASEAN Cup with seven goals. Two years later, he again led the scoring list, netting five goals, alongside Nguyen Dinh Bac.

Previously, Teerasil Dangda achieved a similar feat in the 2020 and 2022 AFF Cup tournaments. Xuan Son and Teerasil also jointly hold the record for scoring 8 goals in the knockout rounds of the tournament.

Vietnam has also risen to the top of the tournament's history for the number of goals scored from opponent's own goals. The national team has benefited from a total of 10 own goals, the most in the tournament's history. Indonesia ranks second with nine goals, followed by Thailand with five goals, Singapore with four goals, and Malaysia with three goals.

Players toss coach Kim Sang-sik after Vietnam drew 2-2 with Thailand (4-2 aggregate) in the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final at My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi, on the evening of 26/8. Photo: Duc Dong

Vietnam's 10 goals from own goals are evenly split, with five goals in the group stage and five in the knockout stage. This record began at the 1996 Tiger Cup, when Yeyen Tumena scored an own goal in the third-place play-off, helping Vietnam defeat Indonesia 3-2. Nearly three decades later, own goals continue to appear at crucial moments.

In the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, Pansa Hemviboon scored an own goal in the 82nd minute of the second leg, contributing to Vietnam's overall victory against Thailand. In the 2026 tournament, Faris Danish scored an own goal in the first leg of the semi-final, helping Vietnam defeat Malaysia 2-0.

Notably, in the 2026 final's second leg, two Thai players, Chatchai Budprom and Wanchai Jarunongkran, scored own goals in the 52nd and 90+3 minutes, respectively. The match ended 2-2, but Vietnam still claimed the title due to their 2-0 victory in the first leg.

The national team’s next tournament will be the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, scheduled from 21/9 to 3/10, less than one month away. Vietnam will face Thailand, Philippines, and Pakistan in Group B, First Division.

Xuan Binh