Cambodia coach backs Vietnam to reach 2026 ASEAN Championship final

Speaking at the post-match press conference after Friday’s final Group A match at My Dinh Stadium, Koji Gyotoku praised Vietnam’s quality and said his team’s chances faded after conceding a second goal.

Vietnam secured top spot in Group A and a semifinal meeting with the Group B runners-up.

“I used many young players, and they performed very well, which made me happy. Cambodia’s tactics were not bad either. We had chances and managed to score first against Vietnam,” the coach from Japan said.

“However, conceding the second goal caused us to collapse, and we also lost a player after that incident. I am disappointed with the result.”

Koji Gyotoku said Cambodia had been unable to field its strongest squad this year but vowed to return with a stronger side next year.

“This year I could not call up my best players for the tournament. But next year, if possible, I will do everything I can to have the strongest squad and get revenge against Vietnam,” he said.

Asked why Cambodia had become the only team to score against Vietnam in the group stage, Koji Gyotoku said his side had recently faced Vietnam and had studied ways to counter their style of play.

The Japanese coach singled out Vietnam striker Xuan Son as the player who impressed him most.

“His skills are so good and he is very difficult to stop.”

He ended his press conference with high praise for Kim Sang Sik’s side.

“Vietnam almost have no weaknesses, and I think they will reach the final,” he said.

Vietnam made a bright start at My Dinh, taking control of possession and putting Cambodia under sustained pressure.

The hosts broke the deadlock in the 18th minute when Dinh Bac produced a fine piece of skill on the edge of the box, beat a defender and curled a shot into the far corner.

Vietnam continued to dominate but could not add to their lead before halftime, while goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang kept Cambodia at bay as the visitors threatened on the counter.

Cambodia hit back in the 72nd minute when substitute Iago Bento raced onto a long pass and finished to level the score at 1-1.

Vietnam responded by pushing forward in search of the winner.

In the 84th minute, Xuan Son’s effort forced Vakhim into an own goal as Vietnam regained the lead.

Dinh Bac then put the result beyond doubt in the 89th minute, lifting the ball over goalkeeper Koy Salim to complete his brace and seal a 3-1 win. He was named Player of the Match.

The victory gave Vietnam 10 points from four group matches and sent Kim’s side through to the semifinals as Group A winners.

Thai fans look to avoid Vietnam in semifinals

Vietnam’s victory has also changed the mood among Thai football fans, with many now hoping Thailand can finish top of Group B and avoid an early semifinal showdown with the defending champions.

Thailand went into their final Group B match against Myanmar on nine points ahead of their Saturday evening match and were in a strong position to finish first. A draw would be enough to keep them at the top of the group.

Before Group A was decided, many Thai fans had taken the view that it made little difference who Thailand faced in the semifinals. Vietnam’s first-place finish, however, prompted a change of heart.

The prospect of meeting Vietnam in the semifinals has become a major topic on Thai sports forums.

One fan wrote that Thailand needed at least a draw against Myanmar not only to advance but also to retain top spot because the team should avoid meeting Vietnam so early.

Another fan said that Indonesia had originally been viewed as a possible semifinal opponent alongside Vietnam, but with Indonesia eliminated, facing Singapore would now be a more favorable option for Thailand.

Fans on the Buriram Prankster fanpage also argued that Thailand should try to avoid Vietnam in the semifinals to conserve energy.

“We want revenge against Vietnam, but in the final, not the semifinal,” one fan said.

Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines and Myanmar all entered the final round of Group B with a mathematical chance of advancing.

The 2026 ASEAN Championship, Southeast Asia's premier men's international football tournament, runs from July 24 to August 26, featuring 10 teams divided into two groups.

Vietnam compete in Group A alongside Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia, and Timor-Leste, while Group B consists of Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Myanmar, and Laos.

As reigning champions, coach Kim’s side entered the tournament with the goal of reaching the final and successfully defending their regional title.