*This content was translated by AI.
Under the guidance of head coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnam national football team has advanced to the 2026 ASEAN (ASEAN) Championship Hyundai Cup semi-finals (top four). This marks another step toward a historic achievement that former coach Park Hang-seo could not realize: back-to-back titles in the ASEAN Championship.
On the 7th (Korea time), Vietnam defeated Cambodia 3-1 in the final Group A match of the tournament held at My Dinh National Stadium in Vietnam. Vietnam took an early lead with a first goal by Nguyen Dinh Phuc in the 18th minute of the first half but wavered after conceding an equalizer in the 26th minute of the second half. However, they secured three points by scoring consecutive goals in the 39th and 44th minutes of the second half.
With this victory, Vietnam accumulated 10 points (three wins, one draw) and advanced to the semi-finals as Group A's top team. Singapore (8 points) followed closely to also reach the semi-finals, while Indonesia, Cambodia, and East Timor were eliminated. Once a threat to both Thailand and Vietnam, Indonesia suffered the humiliation of being eliminated in the group stage for two consecutive tournaments. Earlier, Vietnam had also secured a victory on Indonesian soil for the first time in 30 years.
Vietnam's semi-final opponent will be the second-place team from Group B (to be determined). Currently, Thailand, Malaysia, Myanmar, and the Philippines are competing for spots in the semi-finals in Group B. Thailand is virtually certain to finish as Group A's top team, while Malaysia, which faces the Philippines in the final match, has a high probability of finishing second and advancing to face Vietnam in the semi-finals.
Under head coach Kim Sang-sik, the Vietnam national football team's focus is on the championship. The team has already reached the summit of Southeast Asia in the tournament held two years ago. This achievement came three tournaments and six years after Park Hang-seo's tenure ended in 2018. In this tournament, they must defend the title they reclaimed in the previous edition.
If Vietnam wins this tournament as well, head coach Kim Sang-sik will become the first coach in Vietnamese football history to lead a back-to-back ASEAN Championship victory. A total of two championships would also be an unprecedented feat in Vietnamese football history.
Kim Sang-sik has boldly taken on the challenge of achieving a historic record that former coach Park Hang-seo could not realize. Coach Park led Vietnam to victory in 2018 but failed to secure back-to-back titles, being eliminated in the semi-finals in the 2020 tournament. In the 2022 edition, they settled for runner-up after losing in the final.
Just as during former coach Park Hang-seo's tenure, the South Korean flag began waving again in Vietnam on this day. This expression reflects the support and gratitude of fans for their Korean head coach. The semi-finals and finals will both be played in a home-and-away format, divided into two legs. The semi-finals are scheduled for the 16th and 19th, while the long-awaited final will take place on the 22nd and 26th.
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*This content was translated by AI.
