Vietnam defeated Thailand 2-0 at Rajamangala Stadium on Saturday to take a commanding advantage in the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final.
Thailand created the better chances in the first half, with Yotsakorn Burapha forcing goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang into several important saves, including one effort that was tipped onto the crossbar. Vietnam, meanwhile, threatened mainly through Nguyen Dinh Bac but went into halftime level at 0-0.
Coach Kim Sang-sik’s second-half substitutions proved decisive. Nguyen Hai Long, who came on in the 58th minute, opened the scoring three minutes later after Dinh Bac set him up with a clever backheel pass.
Captain Nguyen Quang Hai, another substitute, doubled Vietnam’s lead in the 69th minute with a superb left-footed volley from Do Hoang Hen’s cross.
Thailand pushed forward in search of a response but failed to break down Vietnam’s defense. Dinh Bac nearly made it 3-0 in the 87th minute when his long-range strike hit the crossbar.
The 2-0 victory gives Vietnam a significant advantage heading into the second leg of the final, which will take place four days later at Vietnam’s My Dinh National Stadium.