Thailand cruise past Vietnam to end historic unbeaten run and reach ASEAN Cup final

Vietnam's historic 27-match unbeaten run came to an abrupt end following a 2-0 defeat to Thailand in Bandung on 29 September 2026. The loss shattered Kim Sang-sik's side's hopes of progressing in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

Goals from Sarach Yooyen in the 10th minute and Chaiyaphon Otton in stoppage time (90+3') sealed the fate of the match. The result saw Thailand secure the sole qualifying spot from Group B to march into the final.

The defining moment: Sarach Yooyen's early sucker punch

Just 10 minutes in, capitalising on a defensive error from Vietnam, captain Sarach Yooyen unleashed a thunderous 25-yard volley that left Patrik Le Giang helpless. Conceding early forced Kim Sang-sik's men to push forward and take the game to their opponents.

The next major talking point arrived in the 37th minute when Nguyen Tai Loc beat the offside trap to delicately loft the ball over the keeper and into the net. However, after a lengthy three-minute VAR review, the referee disallowed the goal for a marginal offside.

Any hopes of a Vietnamese equaliser were extinguished in the third minute of added time. From a lethal counter-attack, Chaiyaphon Otton finished clinically to seal the victory for the War Elephants.

Squad depletion and the end of a historic 27-match unbeaten run

The absence of playmaker Nguyen Quang Hai due to an ankle injury, alongside star striker Nguyen Xuan Son who suffered a torn thigh muscle, stripped Vietnam of their sharpest attacking weapons. Without this influential duo, their offensive play became predictable and lacked a creative spark.

This defeat brought a shuddering halt to Vietnam's remarkable 27-match unbeaten streak, which had spanned over two years. Their historic record crumbled right on the doorstep of the regional final.

Speaking after the match, head coach Kim Sang-sik took full responsibility for the gaping holes in midfield during the first half. He admitted that the midfield unit failed to function effectively, allowing their rivals to dominate possession with ease.

The Verdict

The defeat confirmed Vietnam's exit from the group stage, while Thailand topped Group B with a perfect six points to book their place in the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup final.

This loss to their arch-rivals exposed a glaring lack of squad depth in Vietnamese football when key players are missing. What changes do you think Vietnam need to make to bounce back stronger from this setback?