Vietnam have retained the ASEAN Championship, drawing 2-2 with Thailand at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi to complete a 4-2 aggregate win and become the first side to successfully defend the regional title.
Two Thailand own goals decided a match the visitors had to win outright. It is Vietnam’s fourth title, after 2008, 2018 and 2024.
How was it decided?
Trailing 2-0 from Bangkok, Thailand went ahead on the night through Yotsakon Burapha in the 12th minute. Kakana Khamyok missed a penalty in the 49th.
Goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom then turned the ball into his own net in the 52nd minute, effectively securing the trophy. Wanchai Jarunongkran restored Thailand’s lead on the night in the 84th, before inadvertently sending the ball into his own goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
| Stage | Result |
|---|---|
| Final, first leg (Bangkok) | Thailand 0-2 Vietnam |
| Final, second leg (Hanoi) | Vietnam 2-2 Thailand |
| Aggregate | Vietnam 4-2 |
| Prize | US$500,000 |
Who won the ASEAN Championship 2026?
Vietnam won the 2026 ASEAN Championship, defeating Thailand 4-2 on aggregate across the two-legged final. Vietnam won the first leg 2-0 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok on 22 August 2026 through second-half goals from substitutes Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai, then drew 2-2 in the second leg at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on 26 August. Yotsakon Burapha and Wanchai Jarunongkran scored for Thailand in the return, but own goals by goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom and by Wanchai, plus a missed penalty from Kakana Khamyok, proved decisive. It is Vietnam’s fourth title following 2008, 2018 and 2024, and the first time any nation has successfully defended the tournament. Vietnam went unbeaten across the competition with six wins and two draws, scoring 21 goals and conceding three. The trophy was presented by FIFA President Gianni Infantino and AFF President Khiev Sameth to captain Nguyen Quang Hai.
What was the record?
Vietnam went unbeaten through the tournament, winning six and drawing two of eight matches. They were the leading scorers with 21 goals and conceded three.
The result extended Kim Sang-sik’s unbeaten run as coach to 26 matches, comprising 22 wins and four draws, with 67 goals scored and 12 conceded.
No side had ever overturned a two-goal first-leg deficit in an ASEAN Championship semi-final or final since the current format was adopted in 2004.
How did the tournament run?
The competition moved to a summer window for the first time since 1998, with ten teams in two groups from 24 July, and knockout rounds from 15 to 26 August.
Vietnam topped Group A after beating Indonesia 3-0 in Bogor, having earlier drawn with Singapore and beaten Timor-Leste 7-0. Thailand came through Group B with a perfect record. Cambodia were eliminated at the group stage for a sixth consecutive edition, though they beat Timor-Leste 3-0 in Phnom Penh for their first win of the tournament.
Infantino attended the second leg. Quang Hai lifted the trophy.
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Sources for this report
The Redline News Desk
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