Vietnam 5-0 Laos: A five-star warm-up performance

Binh Duong – Vietnam’s national football team launched their Asian Cup 2027 final qualifying campaign in style, thrashing Laos 5-0 at Go Dau Stadium on March 25, with winger Nguyen Van Vi stealing the spotlight with a brilliant brace.

Under coach Kim Sang-sik, the Golden Star Warriors dominated from the outset, delivering a performance that thrilled the home crowd and set a commanding tone for Group F, which also includes Malaysia and Nepal.

The onslaught began early. Just 11 minutes in, Truong Tien Anh darted down the right flank and whipped a cross into the box. A shaky clearance from a Laos defender gifted Chau Ngoc Quang an easy tap-in, putting Vietnam ahead 1-0. The hosts maintained relentless pressure, and their persistence paid off in the 44th minute. Nguyen Hai Long’s fierce shot rattled the crossbar, and Van Vi pounced, nodding the rebound past the Laos goalkeeper to make it 2-0 at halftime—fulfilling Kim’s call for a strong first half.

Vietnam’s dominance continued after the break. In the 50th minute, Van Vi, the Nam Dinh FC star, showcased his flair, weaving through defenders before firing a sharp near-post shot to extend the lead to 3-0. His second goal cemented his status as the night’s standout. At the 63rd minute, Hai Long added a fourth with a sublime curling effort, capping a sequence

The final flourish came in the 84th minute. Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai combined effortlessly, with Duc’s delicate chip setting up Hai for a clinical left-footed volley, sealing the 5-0 rout. Laos, despite hopes from coach Ha Hyeok Jun to frustrate Vietnam, were outclassed, managing little resistance against the hosts’ pace and precision.

Kim Sang-sik’s men delivered the “goal-fest” he’d envisioned, banishing memories of a shaky 2-1 friendly win over Cambodia. Van Vi’s brace, alongside strikes from Ngoc Quang, Hai Long, and Quang Hai, showcased Vietnam’s attacking depth. With this emphatic victory, Vietnam signals their intent to secure a third straight Asian Cup berth, starting with a statement in Binh Duong.