After a 2-2 draw at My Dinh Stadium on the evening of August 26, the Thai team could not complete the comeback against the Vietnamese team. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team won the overall victory 4-2 after two legs, thereby winning the ASEAN Cup for the fourth time and successfully defending the championship for the first time.
Thai media focused on the opportunities that the home team missed, especially the unsuccessful penalty kick at the beginning of the second half. After Yotsakorn Burapha opened the score in the 12th minute, Thailand had a great opportunity to increase the gap and shorten the total score. However, Kakana Khamyok put the ball over the crossbar from the 11m spot.
Just a few minutes later, the Vietnamese team took advantage of the opportunity to equalize 1-1. Do Hoang Hen's shot hit the post and then bounced into goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom before going into the net.
This is considered one of the major turning points of the final match. When Thailand could not take advantage of the opportunity, the Vietnamese team immediately scored to maintain a two-goal advantage after two legs.
However, Thailand still did not give up. The away team continued to push up the squad and in the 85th minute, Wanchai Jarunongkran launched a dangerous shot, helping Thailand lead 2-1 and reduce the total score to 2-3.
The final minutes were therefore full of tension. Thailand needed another goal to bring the match into extra time, while the Vietnamese team had to bear great pressure from the away team.
But the bravery of the Vietnamese team was shown at the decisive moment. In injury time, a situation handled by the Thai defense caused Wanchai to accidentally put the ball into his own net, helping the Vietnamese team equalize 2-2.
This harsh own goal ended Thailand's hope of a comeback. Notably, Wanchai was the one who just put the away team ahead a few minutes earlier.
Thai media expressed much regret for this scenario, and emphasized that the home team had twice taken the lead but could not protect the advantage.
However, besides the regrets, the common point in the view of the Thai media is the recognition for the Vietnamese team. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team did not collapse under pressure, knew how to take advantage of important moments and maintain the advantage created from the 2-0 victory in the first leg.
The ASEAN Cup 2026 championship, therefore, not only helps the Vietnamese team continue to stand at the top of regional football, but also creates a historical milestone when successfully defending the throne for the first time.
After winning the championship in 2008, 2018 and 2024, the Vietnamese team continues to lift the cup in 2026, affirming its position in the top race of Southeast Asian football.
