Vietnam finished first in Group A of the 2026 ASEAN Football Cup, often referred to as the 'World Cup of Southeast Asia,' after defeating Cambodia. Under the leadership of coach Kim Sang-sik, Vietnam secured a spot in the semifinals and gained the advantage of playing at home. Despite this achievement, the team's lapses in concentration during the match raised concerns ahead of the semifinals.
On August 7, Vietnam won 3-1 against Cambodia in the final group match held at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. This victory confirmed their top position in the group and allowed them to host the second legs of both the semifinals and finals.
Prior to the final match, Vietnam was already leading the group standings. After drawing with Singapore at home, they regained momentum with a 3-0 victory against Indonesia, finishing with 7 points, equal to Singapore but ahead on goal difference with +10. Indonesia trailed by one point, while Cambodia and Timor-Leste had already been eliminated.
The likelihood of Vietnam being eliminated from the group stage was virtually nonexistent. They would have needed to lose to Cambodia by a score of 0-9 while Indonesia defeated Singapore 1-0 to fall short on goal difference. Additionally, Vietnam had a perfect record against Cambodia, winning all 11 encounters since 1995, scoring 48 goals and conceding only 8. Despite pre-match predictions of an upset, Cambodia could not change the outcome. Cambodian coach Koji Yoshida remarked, 'Something unexpected could happen in the 12th match.' However, Vietnam maintained their dominance, extending their winning streak against Cambodia to 12 matches.
Vietnam will face Malaysia, the second-place team from Group B, in two semifinal matches on August 16 and 19. The first leg will be in Malaysia, while the second leg will be held in Vietnam. The winner of this matchup will advance to face the winner of the match between Thailand and Vietnam in the finals.
Vietnam took the lead in the 18th minute with a goal from Dean Park, who skillfully maneuvered between three Cambodian defenders before scoring with a right-footed diagonal shot. This was the first goal for Vietnam at My Dinh National Stadium in this tournament.
Coach Kim made a tactical change at the start of the second half, bringing in Nguyen Suan Son to increase the attacking intensity. In the 56th minute, Dean Park broke down the left flank and delivered a low cross, but Suan Son failed to capitalize on the opportunity, and Tien An's left-footed shot went over the bar.
As Vietnam struggled to extend their lead, Cambodia equalized in the 71st minute. Iago Bento received a long pass from his own half, evaded Suan Main, and scored with a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Patrick Le Zhang. The atmosphere at My Dinh National Stadium briefly dampened after the equalizer.
Vietnam regained the lead late in the match. In the 84th minute, Suan Son, receiving a pass from Le Pham Thanh Long, faced the Cambodian goalkeeper. His shot appeared to be going wide, but defender Bakim misplayed the clearance, resulting in an own goal.
The match was sealed in the 89th minute with Dean Park's second goal. Thanh Long delivered another precise pass, and Dean Park capitalized on a moment of hesitation from goalkeeper Salim Koi to score calmly, completing the 3-1 victory in front of approximately 20,000 fans.
After the match, Coach Kim expressed high expectations for Dean Park. He reflected on the decision to substitute Dean Park before halftime in the previous match against Singapore, stating, 'I feel regret and apologize for taking Dean Park out before the end of the first half against Singapore.' He added, 'However, Dean Park understood that he had to sacrifice for the team. Both the team and Dean Park overcame the difficult situation that day and performed well today, scoring two goals.'
Coach Kim acknowledged Dean Park's excellent form but emphasized his high standards for all players. 'Dean Park must reach the level of Asia and ultimately the world, and I hope he understands my expectations,' he said.
While satisfied with the victory, Coach Kim pointed out the lapses in concentration that led to the goal conceded. He viewed the 3-1 win as a positive outcome, securing Vietnam's top position in Group A and the advantage of hosting the second legs of the semifinals and finals. However, he noted that mistakes and lapses in focus that led to the goal conceded against Cambodia would serve as lessons ahead of the semifinals.
With this victory, Vietnam has reached the semifinals of Southeast Asian tournaments for the seventh consecutive time. In the previous six semifinal appearances, they reached the finals three times, winning in 2018 and 2024, and finishing as runners-up in 2022. By finishing first in their group this time, they continue the momentum of being the defending champions.
Meanwhile, Coach Kim sees the eight days leading up to the semifinals as crucial for the players to recover physically and mentally. The victory over Cambodia has given Vietnam the top spot in the group and home advantage, but managing concentration and maintaining the condition of key players remain challenges ahead.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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