Anh Đức

BANDUNG The longest unbeaten streak in ASEAN football history ended on Tuesday, as Việt Nam lost 0-2 to Thailand in their second match of the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

The defeat also eliminates Kim Sang-sik's team from final contention, as Thailand is guaranteed of Group B's first place after two wins.

Goals from Sarach Yooyen and Chaiyaphon Otton ended a run of 27 matches without defeat stretching back nearly two years, a sequence that began after a 1-2 loss to Thailand on September 10, 2024, and resulted in 22 wins, five draws and two consecutive ASEAN Championship titles. It remains the longest unbeaten run in the region's history, surpassing the 21-match record Thailand set between 1995 and 1996.

With Nguyễn Xuân Son ruled out of the tournament through injury, Kim rotated almost half his squad. Nguyễn Tài Lộc partnered captain Nguyễn Đình Bắc up front, while Cao Pendant Quang Vinh was given a free-roaming midfield role in the 3-4-3 setup, with Nguyễn Hoàng Đức, Đỗ Hoàng Hên and Williams Minh Hoàng all starting on the bench.

Việt Nam began cautiously and kept the contest even, but Thailand found the difference through the quality of their senior players. In the 10th minute, Nguyễn Adou Minh cleared to the edge of the box and Sarach struck first time from around 22 metres, the ball flying into the top corner beyond Patrik Lê Giang.

Without Xuân Son as a focal point, Việt Nam attacked mainly through runners from deep and balls in behind. That approach nearly paid off in the 37th minute, when Võ Hoàng Minh Khoa played Tài Lộc through to dink the ball past Saranon Anuin, only for VAR to rule the striker offside.

Kim made a triple change at the break, bringing on Hoàng Đức, Hoàng Hên and Minh Hoàng. The adjustments pushed Thailand deeper, with Hoàng Đức switching play well and Hoàng Hên probing centrally, but the final ball remained elusive. Hoàng Đức was denied from close range by Anuin after a no-look pass from Hoàng Hên, and Đình Bắc drove at goal before seeing his effort shave the post.

The statistics told the story of two contrasting approaches. Việt Nam had 58 per cent possession and 12 shots, but only four were on target, while Anthony Hudson's Thailand had 42 per cent and nine shots, seven on target. Sarach nearly added a second with a free kick that grazed the outside of the post, and Lê Giang saved a close-range Peeradol Chamratsamee header.

As Việt Nam committed forward in stoppage time, Thailand delivered the killer blow. In the 90+4th minute, Chaiyaphon beat the offside trap, raced clear and slotted through Lê Giang's legs.

Thailand's six points confirm them as group winners on the head-to-head, sending them into the final. Việt Nam, on three points, needs only to avoid defeat against Pakistan on October 2 to secure second place and a third-place play-off against the Group A runners-up — most likely Indonesia or Malaysia. — VNS