At his post-match press conference following the second leg at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on Aug. 26, Hudson was first asked about Kakana Khamyok’s missed penalty early in the second half. Had the midfielder converted, Thailand would have taken a 2-0 lead on the night and leveled the aggregate score at 2-2.
Hudson acknowledged the missed opportunity but said such moments were part of football.
“Congratulations to Vietnam,” he said. “We deserved more than this. We created many chances but didn’t take them, including the penalty. We controlled the game well, but that’s football. It’s also part of the game and a good experience for the young players.”
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Coach Anthony Hudson talks to the press after the 2026 ASEAN Cup final between Thailand and Vietnam in My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi, on Aug. 26, 2026. Photo by Read/Duc Dong |
Hudson said he was disappointed that Thailand had failed to win the title but was proud of his players after a six-week campaign. He maintained that Thailand had performed better across both legs and created enough opportunities to overturn the deficit.
“It was a tough tournament,” Hudson said. “We’ve been away from home for six weeks and barely had a good night’s sleep. I’m very disappointed that we didn’t win because the players deserved a better result. We didn’t win, but we had some very big chances. I genuinely believe, whether people agree or not, that we played better in both legs.”
After losing 2-0 in the first leg at Rajamangala Stadium on Aug. 22, Thailand started the return match with urgency and put Vietnam under pressure.
The visitors opened the scoring in the 12th minute. Seksan Ratree created space on the right before finding Yotsakorn Burapha, whose powerful shot from the edge of the area beat Vietnam goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to the ball.
Thailand continued to threaten, while Vietnam had opportunities of their own. In the 43rd minute, Nguyen Xuan Son headed against the post from a precise cross by Phan Tuan Tai.
Thailand were awarded a penalty two minutes after the restart when Pham Xuan Manh brought down Khamyok inside the box. However, Khamyok sent his effort over the crossbar, missing the chance to level the aggregate score.
Vietnam equalized in the 52nd minute in unusual circumstances. Tuan Tai’s cross reached Do Hoang Hen, whose first-time shot struck the post before deflecting off goalkeeper Chatchai Bootprom and into the net. The goal was subsequently credited as an own goal to Chatchai.
Vietnam then threatened again, with substitute Nguyen Hai Long hitting the post shortly after coming on. But Thailand regained the lead in the 85th minute when substitute Wanchai Jarunongkran finished from close range, reducing the aggregate deficit to 2-3.
Thailand pushed forward in search of another goal in the closing stages, leaving space for Vietnam to counterattack. In the fourth minute of stoppage time, however, Wanchai inadvertently turned the ball into his own net while attempting to clear a pass intended for Xuan Son.
The goal made it 2-2 on the night and gave Vietnam a 4-2 aggregate victory, allowing the defending champions to retain the title.
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Thailand football walk after losing to Vietnam in the 2026 ASEAN Cup final in My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Aug. 26, 2026. Photo by Read/Hieu Luong |
Asked about Thailand’s decision to commit more players forward late in the match, Hudson said his team had little choice given the aggregate score.
He acknowledged that leaving only two players behind created the risk of being exposed on the counterattack, but said his players had continued to fight until the final whistle.
Hudson also praised Thailand’s first-half performance, saying his team created several good chances and applied pressure effectively in the final third.
“In the first half, we played some excellent football and created many good chances,” he said. “We played very well, particularly in our buildup and in creating opportunities in the final third. The biggest disappointment is that the boys came so close to turning the tie around.”
Hudson also recalled doubts surrounding Thailand’s squad before the tournament, which was held outside the FIFA international window and made it more difficult to call up players.
The 45-year-old said Thailand had been at a disadvantage in preparation compared with Vietnam. He said Vietnam had three to four weeks to prepare, including a training camp in South Korea and three or four friendly matches, while Thailand had only about a week and one practice match.
“Our players came into the tournament not in ideal physical condition, with many only able to maintain their fitness for 60 to 70 minutes,” Hudson said. “But we proved the predictions before the tournament wrong. This squad has potential and showed character in big games, and that’s extremely positive for the national team.”
2026 ASEAN Cup final second leg: Vietnam 2-2 Thailand
Asked whether Vietnam deserved to win the title, Hudson paid tribute to the champions.
“Vietnam were good enough in their style of play. They did well and were very sharp at decisive moments. I have complete respect for their victory,” he said. “At the same time, we also played impressively, produced attractive football and created many chances.”
Hudson also praised Yotsakorn Burapha, who was named the tournament’s Best Young Player. The coach said the forward’s performances demonstrated his potential, along with that of several other young players in the squad.
“I’m very pleased that he won the award,” Hudson said. “He grew throughout the tournament, and his performances showed that he can play at a higher level in the future.”
“The players never gave up. They gave everything. This was a great experience for them, and I’m proud of the players.”
Hudson previously coached Bahrain from 2013 to 2014, New Zealand from 2014 to 2017 and the United States on an interim basis in 2023. He joined Thai club BG Pathum United as head coach in February 2025 before becoming technical director of the Football Association of Thailand after the 2024-25 season.
He was appointed Thailand’s head coach in October 2025, one day after Japanese coach Masatada Ishii was dismissed.
Hudson’s next assignment after the ASEAN Cup will be the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, scheduled from Sept. 21 to Oct. 3. Thailand are in Group B alongside Vietnam, the Philippines and Pakistan in the first division.