S. Korean coach leads Vietnam to top ASEAN football title

Seoul, August 27 - South Korean head coach Kim Sang-sik has guided Vietnam to their second consecutive title at the prestigious Southeast Asian men's football tournament, the ASEAN Hyundai Cup. The Vietnamese team emerged victorious over Thailand 4-2 on aggregate in the decisive two-legged final that concluded in Hanoi late Wednesday. The opening leg saw Vietnam prevail 2-0 in Bangkok on Saturday, followed by a 2-2 draw in Hanoi Wednesday.

This marked the 16th edition of the biennial competition, with Hyundai Motor serving as the title sponsor for the first time. Vietnam's triumph marked their fourth overall title and their third under a South Korean coach - Park Hang-seo led the team to victory in 2018 and Kim in 2024 and 2026. Kim, who is also in charge of Vietnam's under-23 national team, led the country to a championship title in the ASEAN U-23 Championship and a gold medal in the Southeast Asian Games in 2025.

Vietnam's senior team has now gone unbeaten in a national record 26 matches, securing 22 wins and 4 draws. In the match against Thailand, Vietnam conceded the opening goal in the 12th minute but narrowly avoided defeat when Kakana Khamyok missed a penalty for Thailand in the 48th minute. An own goal by Thailand in the 52nd minute tied the score at 1-1, only for Wanchai Jarunongkran to put Thailand ahead 2-1 in the 85th minute.

Thailand needed a further goal to level the aggregate score, but Wanchai inadvertently scored into his own net during stoppage time, securing Vietnam's second consecutive title.