Vietnam secured a 2-0 victory over Thailand in the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Championship final held in Bangkok on August 22, 2026 [1, 2, 3, 4]. Both goals came in the second half, scored by substitutes Nguyen Hai Long in the 62nd minute and Nguyen Quang Hai in the 69th minute [1, 2, 3, 4].
Vietnam goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang played a crucial role by making several key saves and maintaining a clean sheet. "I'm happy I didn't concede a goal but most important for me, as always, is that we won," Le Giang said after the match [1].
Thailand dominated the first half with 65% possession but failed to convert opportunities into goals. Notably, Yotsakon Burapha missed a key chance by shooting over the bar [1, 2, 3].
This final is the third consecutive meeting between Vietnam and Thailand in the ASEAN Championship final, with each team having won one of the previous two editions [3]. Vietnam aims to secure their fourth ASEAN Championship and achieve back-to-back titles for the first time [1, 2, 4].
Thailand coach Anthony Hudson expressed confidence ahead of the second leg, stating, "I think those guys [his team] -- they're not done yet. ... If I didn't [believe], I wouldn't even be getting on the aeroplane [to Hanoi]" [4].
The second leg of the final is scheduled for August 26, 2026, at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi [1, 2, 3, 4].
