Indonesia, 3 August 2026 – After being held to a goalless draw by Singapore at My Dinh Stadium last weekend, Vietnam entered their trip to Indonesia knowing that only a victory would keep control of their own destiny in Group A. Despite the pressure, head coach Kim Sang-sik remained composed before kickoff, revealing that his side would unveil a different tactical approach against one of their toughest regional rivals.
Kim has built a reputation over the past three years for making bold selections in major tournaments, but even by his standards, the starting lineup in Bogor caught everyone by surprise. Key figures including Nguyen Xuan Son, Do Hoang Hen, Nguyen Quang Hai and Doan Van Hau all began on the bench. Instead, Nguyen Dinh Bac—who had drawn criticism after being substituted early against Singapore—was handed a starting role alongside naturalized striker Nguyen Tai Loc in attack.
The gamble paid off almost immediately.
Nguyen Hai Long, making his first start of the tournament, was at the heart of Vietnam’s early dominance. He played a key role in the opening goal before finding the net himself just minutes later. Le Pham Thanh Long, selected ahead of Quang Hai in central midfield, produced a superb through ball down the left flank to set up Hai Long’s strike, exposing gaps in Indonesia’s defense.
Vietnam’s defense was equally impressive. Making his first start of the competition, Bui Hoang Viet Anh delivered a fearless display, even playing through a bloody injury while successfully containing Indonesia’s towering 1.96-meter striker Mitchell Baker. Kim’s tactical adjustments appeared to catch Indonesia completely off guard. Head coach John Herdman initially watched from the stands, as he often does, but was eventually forced into the technical area after witnessing his team’s struggles in both attack and defense.
Although facing enormous pressure and fielding a heavily rotated lineup, Vietnam looked confident from the opening whistle. Their breakthrough came in the sixth minute after winning possession high up the pitch through aggressive pressing. Hai Long quickly found Nguyen Hoang Duc outside the penalty area, and the captain responded with a perfectly weighted through pass for Nguyen Van Vi, who finished clinically at the near post to beat goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata.
The early lead only increased Vietnam’s confidence. Nine minutes later, a swift counterattack involving Thanh Long and Hai Long doubled the advantage. Sent through on goal, Hai Long kept his composure and fired a right-footed finish inside the near post, once again wrong-footing Argawinata, who had anticipated a shot across goal.
Kim waited until the second half to introduce Xuan Son, Hoang Hen and Quang Hai, preserving fresh attacking options for the closing stages.
Indonesia attempted to respond after falling two goals behind by pushing more players forward, but Vietnam’s disciplined defensive structure denied the hosts any sustained momentum. During the opening half, Indonesia managed only two meaningful opportunities: a dangerous run from Thom Haye and a Mitchell Baker header that drifted narrowly wide in stoppage time.
The hosts enjoyed more possession after the break, yet Vietnam remained the more threatening side thanks to an effective counterattacking strategy. Kim’s decision to send on Xuan Son and Hoang Hen added another dimension to the visitors’ attack, and both substitutes quickly began creating dangerous situations.
The decisive third goal arrived in the 70th minute. Nguyen Hoang Duc weaved past several Indonesian defenders before threading a precise pass into the path of Xuan Son. The striker calmly took a touch before slotting a left-footed finish beyond Argawinata to seal a convincing 3-0 victory.
Indonesia threw additional attacking players into the match in search of a consolation goal, but Vietnam’s defense remained solid. Goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang dealt confidently with the limited chances that came his way, allowing Vietnam to preserve their perfect defensive record in the tournament.
The result also extended Kim Sang-sik’s remarkable unbeaten run against Southeast Asian opponents to 21 matches, comprising 18 wins and three draws.
With the emphatic victory, Vietnam secured a place in the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals with one group match still to play. Kim’s men are now overwhelming favorites to finish top of Group A, holding a superior goal difference over Singapore before hosting Cambodia at My Dinh Stadium in their final fixture. Indonesia, meanwhile, must defeat Singapore away in their last group match to keep their hopes of reaching the knockout stage alive.
VSN/RPT
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