The electric atmosphere at Mỹ Đình Stadium on August 7, 2026 was unmistakable, as Vietnam squared off against Cambodia in their final Group A match of the ASEAN Cup 2026. With the stakes high and a semifinal spot on the line, the Vietnamese squad, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, entered the contest brimming with confidence after a resounding 3-0 away victory over Indonesia. The home crowd, draped in red, buzzed with anticipation, eager to see their team cement its dominance in Southeast Asian football.
From the opening whistle, Vietnam wasted no time asserting their intent. The hosts pressed high, dictated the tempo, and looked for early breakthroughs with intricate passing along the flanks and through the middle. Their aggressive approach paid off in the 18th minute. Đình Bắc, a rising star in Vietnamese football, pounced on a loose ball, danced past three Cambodian defenders, and coolly slotted a right-footed shot into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Salim Koy rooted to the spot. It was a moment that sent the stadium into raptures and gave Vietnam a deserved 1-0 lead.
"It was important for us to start strong and get that early goal. We wanted to take control and not let up," Đình Bắc later reflected, echoing the team's determined mindset.
Despite the early advantage, Vietnam struggled to convert further opportunities in the first half. Quang Hải and Văn Vĩ both came close, but their finishing lacked the precision needed to extend the lead. Cambodia, coached by Japanese manager Gyotoku Koji, defended in numbers and tried to frustrate their more illustrious opponents, but rarely threatened at the other end. By halftime, Vietnam had enjoyed 70% possession, yet the score remained a narrow 1-0.
Coach Kim Sang-sik, ever the tactician, made a key substitution at the break, introducing Xuân Son to inject fresh energy into the attack. However, the second half saw Cambodia grow in confidence. The visitors, already eliminated from the tournament but eager to leave a mark, pressed higher and found more space in midfield. Their persistence paid off dramatically in the 71st minute. Iago Bento, the lively Cambodian forward, latched onto a long ball, outpaced Xuân Mạnh, and fired a clinical finish past Patrik Lê Giang to level the score at 1-1. Suddenly, the contest was wide open, and the Vietnamese faithful held their breath.
"We knew Vietnam would be tough, but we wanted to make this a memorable experience," coach Koji stated before the match. His words rang true as Cambodia's resilience threatened to spoil the party at Mỹ Đình.
With the score tied and Group A leadership at risk, Vietnam responded with urgency. Coach Kim shuffled his lineup, bringing on Việt Cường and Xuân Mạnh to add fresh legs. The home side poured forward relentlessly, but nerves and a lack of composure in the final third kept the outcome in doubt. That tension finally broke in the 84th minute. Xuân Son broke free on the left and unleashed a powerful shot toward the far post. In a desperate attempt to clear, Cambodian defender Im Vakhim inadvertently deflected the ball into his own net. The stadium erupted as Vietnam regained the lead, 2-1, thanks to the own goal.
Cambodia, to their credit, refused to fold. They pushed numbers forward in search of another equalizer, leaving themselves vulnerable at the back. Vietnam seized the opportunity to put the result beyond doubt in the 89th minute. Once again, Đình Bắc showcased his class—timing his run perfectly to latch onto a long pass, then executing a sublime lob over the onrushing Salim Koy. The ball nestled into the net, sealing a 3-1 victory and capping an impressive individual performance with a memorable brace.
"We gave everything on the pitch tonight," coach Kim Sang-sik said post-match. "There were moments we lost focus, especially after their equalizer, but the players showed great character to fight back and secure the win. Now, our focus shifts to the semifinals."
The final whistle confirmed Vietnam's triumph, ensuring they topped Group A with 10 points from four matches. Singapore claimed the second semifinal spot with 8 points, while Indonesia, despite a valiant effort, was eliminated after finishing with 7 points. The outcome not only extended Vietnam's perfect record against Cambodia—now 12 wins in as many meetings since 1995—but also maintained their tradition of winning the final group stage match, a streak dating back over a decade.
Historically, Vietnam's dominance over Cambodia has been emphatic. The Red Warriors have scored a staggering 48 goals and conceded just 7 in all head-to-head encounters, including lopsided victories such as 9-0 and 9-2 in earlier editions of the tournament. Yet, this latest win was anything but routine, as Cambodia's youthful lineup, shaped by recent efforts to rejuvenate the squad with U20 and U23 talent, showed flashes of promise despite missing key players like Taing Bunchhai, Keo Soksela, Nick Taylor, and Min Ratanak.
Vietnam, meanwhile, benefited from a fully fit squad, with goalkeeper Đặng Văn Lâm and midfielder Nguyễn Tài Lộc available for selection. The depth of the Vietnamese roster allowed coach Kim to rotate his side, keeping key players fresh for the knockout rounds without sacrificing quality on the pitch. The tactical flexibility and squad harmony were evident, even as the team weathered a brief spell of adversity in the second half.
Looking ahead, Vietnam's first-place finish in Group A means they will avoid the top team from Group B in the semifinals, a crucial advantage as they aim for a return to the ASEAN Cup final. The result also provides a psychological boost, reinforcing the squad's belief and giving them momentum heading into the high-pressure knockout phase.
Still, there are lessons to be learned. The Vietnamese coaching staff will no doubt scrutinize the lapses in concentration that allowed Cambodia back into the game. As coach Kim noted, "We must address our finishing and defensive focus if we want to go all the way." With the stakes only getting higher, every detail will matter.
For now, though, the Red Warriors and their passionate supporters can savor another memorable night at Mỹ Đình. With history on their side and a place in the semifinals secured, Vietnam marches on—hungry for more glory on the regional stage.