Vietnam calls...
The Vietnamese team opened ASEAN Cup 2026 with a 7-0 victory over Timor Leste. Coach Kim Sang-sik fielded the strongest squad to show off his class as well as maximize goal difference.
Attacking stars Dinh Bac, Quang Hai, Xuan Son and Hoang Hen have proven their diversity and quality in approaching the opponent's goal situations.
The Vietnamese team has scored 21 goals in the last 5 matches, including 3 practice matches against Korean clubs, a friendly match with Myanmar and most recently the match against Timor Leste.
The presence of two naturalized strikers Tai Loc, Hoang Hen alongside Dinh Bac's very impressive form is helping the reigning ASEAN Cup champion own the strongest attacking force in history.
However, the 7-0 victory over Timor Leste was not complete. After the first half, controlling the space well, the players were somewhat relaxed in pressing and competing for the ball with the opponent. This inadvertently opened up opportunities for Timor Leste.
In the last 15 minutes of the match, the opponent almost scored 2 goals. Luckily for Le Giang Patrik when the post saved the goal and partly the misfortune came from the Timor Leste striker.
Thailand responds...
The defending runner-up of the tournament also had a "wander" at the Lao national stadium. In fact, before the ASEAN Cup 2026 took place, many opinions were worried when coach Anthony Hudson did not have the services of a series of stars such as Chanathip, Theerathon or Suphanat... He himself was also concerned about the physical foundation of the players when the "War Elephants" did not have a perfect warm-up process.
However, Thailand started quite smoothly. The combination of a group of players under 23 years old and experienced "veterans" was more effective than expected with 5 goals from Teerasak Poeiphimai, Yotsakorn, Yooyen and a double from Kakana Khamyok.
Notably, Teerasak, Yotsakorn or Kakana are all talented faces of golden temple country football.
This shows that Thailand is not dependent on an aging squad as the media criticized harshly when coach Hudson announced the ASEAN Cup squad.
The victory over Laos with promising performances from young players gives Thailand more hope of competing for the championship with Vietnam.
A noteworthy point is that this team also set an unbeaten record for all ASEAN Cup opening matches.
Watch out for Indonesia
Thailand and Vietnam have a favorable start at ASEAN Cup 2026. However, Indonesia cannot be eliminated from the championship group stage. Towards the tournament, the archipelago team does not have the services of some stars such as goalkeeper Audero, Paes, defenders Justin Hubner, Jay Idzes, Elkan Baggott, Calvin Verdonk, Kevin Diks or the striker duo Ole Romeny, Miliano Jonathans.
However, coach John Herdman still has a group of quality players in hand. Two of the names that are accompanying Indonesia for the first time are at the level Thom Haye and Ragnar Oratmangoen. This duo made a significant contribution to helping Indonesia reach the 4th qualifying round of the 2026 World Cup in Asia.
Remember, they helped Indonesia defeat Vietnam consecutively in the early period of 2023. Most recently, Thom Haye also declared that Indonesia is qualified to win the ASEAN Cup for the first time after 6 runner-up titles in the past.
In fact, Indonesia's strength was somewhat shown in the 5-1 victory over Cambodia. This team launched up to 17 shots, 8 on target, converted into 5 goals. Ball control reached 67%, which is 2 times higher than the opponent.
Indonesia has a very good combination between the "Indo Kieu" group of players. If Ivan Jenner or Thom Haye have made good use of their experience in Europe, then "prodigy" Mitch Baker brings youth and confidence.
The 17-year-old player is strong in finishing and full of fighting spirit in every ball. The hat-trick not only helps him equal Dinh Bac's achievement, but also affirms a balanced squad that coach John Herdman is building.
