Before the first leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final between Thailand and Vietnam at Rajamangala Stadium on August 22, commentator Quang Huy highly appreciated the performance of coach Kim Sang-sik's team from the beginning of the tournament. According to him, the Vietnamese team currently has many attacking options and is no longer dependent on an individual.
The Vietnamese team at ASEAN Cup 2026 possesses a more diverse playing style and approach to the match. What coach Kim Sang-sik and his team have shown from the beginning of the tournament provides a basis for fans to believe that the team should not be afraid of Thailand," Mr. Quang Huy shared.
One of the notable points analyzed by this expert is the depth of the attack. Besides Nguyen Xuan Son, the Vietnamese team also has Nguyen Dinh Bac, Nguyen Tai Loc and Hoang Hen. This helps the team have many ways to put pressure on the opponent, while reducing the dependence on the scoring ability of an individual.
According to Mr. Quang Huy, the fact that Xuan Son can be used flexibly also creates more tactical options for coach Kim Sang-sik. This striker does not necessarily have to operate with high intensity throughout the match, but can be arranged depending on developments and physical condition.
The good thing about the Vietnamese team is that it does not require Xuan Son to play for 90 minutes, but only uses him in the first half or second half as coach Kim Sang-sik applied in recent matches," commentator Quang Huy commented.
However, against Thailand, the Vietnamese team is predicted to have to adjust their playing style. If in the second leg of the semi-finals against Malaysia, coach Kim Sang-sik's team actively controls and puts pressure, then maintaining a similar approach at Rajamangala stadium may pose many risks.
Thailand has never been an easy opponent for the Vietnamese team. However, in the immediate future, I believe the Vietnamese team will have a good match in Thailand in the first leg final," said Mr. Quang Huy.
This expert believes that the Vietnamese team can choose a fast counter-attacking style of play and switch to a flexible state. This is also a way for the away team to take advantage of the voids that may appear when Thailand has to push up the squad with home field advantage.
In this match, coach Kim Sang-sik will choose suitable players, with a fast counter-attacking style and flexible state transitions. In the match against Malaysia, we leaned towards an attacking style, but when facing Thailand, we could not apply this style of play," commentator Quang Huy analyzed.
Although highly appreciating the Vietnamese team, Mr. Quang Huy also noted the disadvantages that the away team has to face. Thailand has the advantage of Rajamangala stadium, having more than one day off and receiving great cheers from home fans. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese team only has a short period of time to recover after the second leg semi-final match with Malaysia before moving to Bangkok.
Therefore, according to experts, bravery in controlling the pace will play an important role. The Vietnamese team does not necessarily have to win at all costs in the first leg, but needs to aim for a result that is favorable enough to create a foundation for the second leg at My Dinh.
With their current form, diverse attack and experience against Thailand, the Vietnamese team has a basis for confidence. However, against an opponent with home field advantage, proactiveness in choosing attacking times and the ability to change positions can determine the result of the first leg final.
