Defending champions Vietnam will take a 2-0 lead over Thailand into the second leg of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup⢠2026 final after substitutes Nguyᝠn Hai Long and Nguyᝠn Quang Hải scored twice in seven second-half minutes in the first leg in Bangkok on Saturday.
Hai Long put Kim Sang-sikâs side ahead with a clinical finish in the 62nd minute and Quang Hảiâs volley seven minutes later doubled Vietnamâs advantage ahead of the return clash in Hanoi on Wednesday.
The result came despite the home side dominating much of the opening hour, with Anthony Hudsonâs outfit made to regret several missed opportunities late in the first half.
The Thais had sought to neutralise Vietnamâs ability on the flanks to stifle the pace and creativity of Kimâs side and the defending champions were limited to a pair of hopeful long-range attempts by Nguyáť n Xuân Son that caused few concerns for Kampon Phatomakkakul.
It was the hosts who, as the first half wore on, looked the more likely to break through. Yotsakon Buraphaâs 20th minute shot was blocked with Chaiyaphon Ottonâs follow-up was blasted off target.
Eight minutes later Yotsakon took aim again, this time firing over the bar while moments later Seksan Ratree went even closer but with the same outcome as his shot cleared the target.
Vietnamâs attack had largely been neutered by Thailandâs defensive diligence but with 12 minutes left in the half, Nguyáť n ÄĂŹnh Bắc should have put his side ahead.
Äáť HoĂ ng HĂŞnâs cutback from the right found the 22-year-old in position 14 yards from goal to pick his spot but he mishit the shot and the ball trundled through to Kampon.
The game had come to life after a cautious opening and Patrik LĂŞ Giang prevented his side from going behind in the 36th minute, keeping out a Yotsakon effort that was destined for the top corner after a series of defensive errors by the visitors.
Yotsakon then squandered the best opening of the first 45 minutes, firing over the bar with a first-time left foot strike with only Patrik to beat after being played in behind the Vietnamese defence by Teerasak Poeiphimai.
Thailand were to rue those misses 17 minutes after the interval as Hudsonâs side went behind.
ÄoĂ n VÄn Háşuâs ball from deep in defence was gathered by ÄĂŹnh Bắc and, after holding off the defence, the forward back-heeled possession into the path of Hai Long, who expertly slotted his low shot to the left of the exposed Kampon.
Seven minutes later the Vietnamese had doubled their lead in spectacular fashion, HoĂ ng HĂŞn curling his cross towards the far corner of the six-yard box with Quang Hảiâs volley giving the Kampon little chance and leaves Thailand with a mountain to climb in the return.
Hyundai Player of the Match – Patrik Le Giang (#1), Vietnam
