After overcoming Malaysia with a total score of 4-0 in the ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-finals, the Vietnamese team entered the final match against Thailand with a record of 6 unbeaten matches, scoring 17 goals and conceding only 1 goal. However, the value of this journey is not only in the results. The changes in force, team operation and increasing attraction from fans are showing that the Vietnamese team is entering a new phase.
Strength from many resources
The victory over Malaysia in both semi-final matches shows that the Vietnamese team possesses a team capable of resolving the match in many different ways. If the first leg in Kuala Lumpur was decided by certainty and the ability to take advantage of opportunities, then in the second leg at My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi), coach Kim Sang-sik's team continued to prove their ability to control the game and adjust personnel.
Xuan Son is a prominent name when scoring 3 goals (1 goal in the first leg and a double in the second leg). However, if only looking at Xuan Son's contribution, it does not fully reflect the strength of the current Vietnamese team. The midfield with Hoang Duc and Quang Hai shows good tackling and control ability. Behind, Xuan Manh, Thanh Chung and Tien Anh coordinate effectively to limit Malaysia's dangerous attacks. Hoang Hen and Tai Loc, when put on the field, all complete the task of harassing the opponent and creating sudden balls.
This is a notable difference compared to the previous period, because in the past year, the group of overseas Vietnamese and naturalized players has been expanded. After familiar names such as Nguyen Filip, Dang Van Lam or Cao Pendant Quang Vinh, the team continues to have new choices such as Le Giang Patrik, Hoang Hen, Tai Loc.
However, the expansion of resources does not mean that the youth training system has reduced its role. On the contrary, the group of domestic players is still the most important foundation. Dinh Bac, Tuan Tai, Nhat Minh, Trung Kien, Ngoc My are gradually playing at the top level with their seniors, showing that the gap between youth football and the national team can be narrowed if they can play and rub shoulder properly.
Audience returns
The strength of a team is not only measured by achievements. The level of interest of fans also reflects the team's position in sports life. ASEAN Cup 2026 shows that the Vietnamese team is creating great attraction in both stadiums and domestic and international media. In the group stage, the matches at My Dinh Stadium attracted a significant number of spectators. As the team advanced to the semi-finals, the demand for live viewing continued to increase sharply.
Before the second leg semi-final match with Malaysia, ticket sales on online platforms have created great interest. Some high denominations are sold out early, fans are willing to pay to be present at the stadium in an important match.
About 38,000 spectators were present at My Dinh on the evening of August 19 in the second leg semi-final. This is a remarkable figure in the context of unfavorable weather, but heavy rain did not stop the flow of people flocking to the national stadium. Images of spectators queuing, trying to enter the stadium and filling the stands, depicting the concern for the team has clearly returned.
It is worth mentioning that this attraction appeared after a period of Vietnamese football undergoing many changes. The team's achievements once had a period of instability, while some failures affected the fans' trust.
ASEAN Cup 2026 is creating a positive direction. The Vietnamese team plays more stably, has good results and maintains competition in the Southeast Asian group. These factors create a reconnect between the team and the audience. The attraction does not only appear at My Dinh. In away matches, Vietnamese fans still appear in large numbers. They follow the team on their journey in Southeast Asia, creating noisy stands.
In addition, coach Kim Sang-sik and his team also received great attention from television, newspapers and social networks. Each match of the Vietnamese team creates a large amount of content on digital platforms. Goals, notable situations, and statements from coaches and players are widely shared.
From ASEAN Cup to big goal
ASEAN Cup 2026 can be seen as an important test for the Vietnamese team, but not the final destination. After 6 unbeaten matches, coach Kim Sang-sik's team is facing the final match with Thailand. This is the 3rd consecutive time the two teams have met in the final match at an ASEAN Cup. This repeat also shows that the two football nations are maintaining their leading position in the region.
But behind the final match are also bigger goals. The Vietnamese team will continue to aim for tournaments with higher levels of competition, including the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in September and the Asian Cup 2027 finals. To compete at the continental level, the team needs more than a few outstanding individuals. The important thing is to maintain the depth of the force, improve the quality of young players, expand the source of overseas Vietnamese players and rationally use naturalized players.
In the long term, the youth training system needs to be placed at the center. A team that wants to maintain strength cannot continuously rely on supplementing personnel from outside but must create a new generation of players capable of competing. In the opposite direction, the appearance of overseas Vietnamese and naturalized players also creates more healthy competition. This is a factor that can help improve the quality of the team.
In front of the Vietnamese team is the ASEAN Cup final against Thailand. Further ahead are major Asian tournaments and the goal of competing in the world arena. If the current foundation is maintained, the Vietnamese team can turn the existing attraction into an important resource for the next development stage.
Two years ago, I and the players won the championship in Thailand. I am very happy and honored that the Vietnamese team once again reached the final. In attack, Xuan Son and Dinh Bac did a good job. The dedication and showing their best in competition is good. Their healthy competition will help the team achieve good results in the final. Not only these two players but also other factors are trying their best to contribute to the Vietnamese team," coach Kim Sang-sik shared.
