After the first 3 matches of Group A - ASEAN Cup 2026, the race to compete for a ticket to the semi-finals is taking place dramatically.
Currently, Singapore is temporarily leading the group with 7 points (2 wins, 1 draw). Meanwhile, Indonesia is ranked second in the group with 6 points (2 wins) and is 1 match behind Singapore.
The Vietnamese team after 2 matches currently has 4 points and is ranked third, while Cambodia and Timor Leste have not yet won any points.
The next round of matches taking place on August 3 is considered a turning point of the group stage. The highlight will be the match between Vietnam and Indonesia, which is decisive for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team in the race to win tickets to the next round.
If they beat Indonesia, the Vietnamese team will have 7 points. At that time, Quang Hai and his teammates only need to overcome Cambodia in the final round to be able to decide their ticket to the next round without caring about the result of the confrontation between Indonesia and Singapore.
Conversely, if they only get 1 point against Indonesia, the situation will become more complicated. Although they still have to beat Cambodia in the final match, the Vietnamese team still has to wait for the result of the Indonesia vs. Singapore match.
In case two opponents decide the winner, Vietnam's team's chances of going further are still there. However, if Indonesia and Singapore draw with a favorable score, coach Kim Sang-sik's team will fall into a disadvantageous position.
Drawing 0-0 with Singapore does not give the Vietnamese team much advantage in goal difference compared to direct competitors.
The worst-case scenario for the Vietnamese team is a defeat against Indonesia. At that time, the archipelago team will officially win a ticket to the semi-finals with 9 points, while Singapore has 7 points and only needs a draw in the final round to advance.
This means that the Vietnamese team almost has no chance to defend the championship.
Therefore, the confrontation with Indonesia is not only about 3 points but also a match that determines the autonomy of the Vietnamese team in the journey to win a ticket to the semi-finals of the ASEAN Cup 2026.
