ASEAN Cup 2026 final: Vietnam vs Thailand over two legs, and three names to watch

Vietnam will face Thailand in the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, played over two legs: the first leg at 20:00 on 22 August at Rajamangala Stadium in Thailand, and the second leg at 20:00 on 26 August at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.

It is a rerun of the 2024 final, with Vietnam going in as defending champions.

How they got there

Vietnam beat Malaysia 4-0 on aggregate, winning both legs 2-0 — in Kuala Lumpur, then at home on 19 August.

Nguyễn Xuân Son scored both goals in the second leg: the opener in the 62nd minute, then a second a minute from time after driving down the left and cutting inside.

Thailand advanced past Singapore 4-3 on aggregate — a far tighter route.

Three names to watch

Nguyễn Xuân Son — his double against Malaysia took him to five goals in the tournament.

Nguyễn Đình Bắc — also on five goals, level with Xuân Son as joint leading scorer going into the final. Vietnam having two players tied at the top means opponents cannot simply man-mark one threat.

Patrik Lê Giang — the goalkeeper produced a reaction save from G. Pavithran against Malaysia before the follow-up was deflected over the bar. Two clean sheets in the semi-final underpinned that 4-0 aggregate.

Why it is harder than 4-0 suggests

The first leg is away at Rajamangala, one of the region's toughest venues. Thailand's 4-3 win over Singapore shows a side comfortable in a shootout rather than one that collapses under pressure. And in a two-legged tie, the away leg shapes the tie rather than settling it.

Vietnam's edge: two forwards on five goals apiece, and a defence yet to concede in the knockout round.

Source: ASEAN Football (aseanfootball.org), the competition's official site.