'Kim Sang-sik Magic' strikes again! Vietnam draws 2-2 with Thailand → wins aggregate 4-2, securing 'first-ever back-to-back ASEAN Cup titles'

*This content was translated by AI.

The Vietnam national football team defeated Thailand to achieve back-to-back titles in the ASEAN Cup. This marks the first time in history that Vietnam has won this tournament, known as the 'Southeast Asian World Cup,' for two consecutive years.

Under the leadership of head coach Kim Sang-sik, Vietnam drew 2-2 with Thailand in the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final held on the 26th (Korea time) at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam.

Having secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg played away in Thailand, Vietnam won the aggregate score 4-2 across both matches to claim the championship title.

The 'Kim Sang-sik-led' Vietnam team, which had previously defeated Thailand to win the tournament two years ago, achieved back-to-back titles for the first time in history. With their fourth overall title, they now share second place with Singapore, trailing only Thailand (7 titles).

Head coach Kim Sang-sik has etched his name into Vietnam football history as the first manager to lead the national team to a historic back-to-back championship and its second consecutive title.

This achievement surpasses what former coach Park Hang-seo could not accomplish. While Park led Vietnam to the 2018 title, the team was eliminated in the semifinals in 2020 and finished as runners-up in 2022.

Previously, Vietnam had taken a commanding lead by becoming the first team in Vietnamese football history to win an away match against Thailand by a margin of two goals or more. From the start of the match, Vietnam focused on maintaining their lead. Despite playing at home, they held only 30% ball possession compared to Thailand's 70% in the first half.

The start was not favorable. Vietnam conceded a goal within the first 12 minutes. A powerful right-footed shot from Yotsakon BoRafah, taken from inside the penalty area on the right side, struck the goalkeeper and deflected into the Vietnamese net. Although intense back-and-forth play followed, neither team managed to open the scoring for some time. In the 43rd minute of the first half, Nguyen Xuan Son's header hit the post, leaving Vietnam with regret.

Early in the second half, Vietnam faced a critical situation that could have led to another goal. A penalty kick was awarded following a challenge inside the penalty box. However, kicker Kana Kam Yut missed the target, allowing Vietnam to breathe a sigh of relief.

After overcoming the crisis, Vietnam scored a crucial equalizer in the 7th minute of the second half. Hoang Yen received a cross from the left flank and connected with a non-stop shot. The ball struck the goalpost, deflected off the leg of Thai goalkeeper Chatchai Budprom, and found its way into the net as a 'lucky own goal.'

Thereafter, Thailand launched a fierce offensive to chase down the lead, while Vietnam sought a decisive blow to secure victory. However, neither team could finish their chances until the 40th minute of the second half, when Wanchai Jarongkran scored for Thailand to retake the lead. The aggregate score across both matches remained at a one-goal advantage for Vietnam.

In the remaining time, Thailand launched an overwhelming assault in an attempt to equalize on aggregate, while Vietnam dropped even their frontline attackers into defensive positions to 'hold the line,' looking to counterattack for a potential game-winning goal.

Then, in the final moments of stoppage time in the second half, Vietnam sealed the victory. During a counterattack, a cross from the flank struck a Thai defender and deflected into an own goal. Following the referee's final whistle, the contrasting fortunes of the two teams vying for the championship title became starkly evident.

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*This content was translated by AI.