Coach Kim Sang Sik: Vietnam confident against Thailand given previous ASEAN Cup triumph in Bangkok

Kim made the remarks at a pre-match press conference in Bangkok, where he appeared alongside midfielder Do Hoang Hen.

The South Korean coach said reaching the final had given Vietnam another opportunity to make history and that his players were even more eager to win the title than he was.

“I’m very happy that Vietnam have reached the ASEAN Cup 2026 final. This final is another opportunity for us to make history, and we certainly don’t want to miss it,” Kim said.

“We will fight with pride and a strong desire to become champions.”

Kim said Vietnam had prepared thoroughly for the final and believed the team could perform well despite the challenge posed by Thailand.

Kim also expressed optimism about Vietnam’s attacking options, saying Xuan Son and Hoang Hen were in good physical condition and expressing hope that they could find the net.

“Xuan Son already has championship experience, while players such as Tai Loc and Patrik Le Giang are making their first appearances for the national team,” Kim said.

“I hope to see our players wearing the Vietnamese national flag and lifting the championship trophy.”

Vietnam will enter the final as defending champions, and Kim said they would need to win the first leg to move closer to achieving the unprecedented feat of retaining the title.

“To make history by winning the title twice in a row, we need to win the match in Thailand. The players must show the same fighting spirit they have displayed throughout the tournament and give their best performance,” he said.

Hoang Hen said the team had worked hard to reach the final and was well prepared, including a training camp in South Korea before the tournament.

“We are ready, and the whole team is doing a very good job. We need an excellent performance in the first leg before returning to Vietnam and working hard to complete our goal of winning the title,” he said.

Hoang Hen added that the ASEAN Cup 2026 was his first tournament with Vietnam and that representing the country was a special experience.

“I have lived in this country for a long time. I love Vietnam and its people, and it would be wonderful if we could give them a special gift, especially in the second leg at home, with the support of the fans,” he said.

Asked how he would celebrate if he scored on Saturday, Hoang Hen said the result mattered more to him than who scored.

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

My Dinh Stadium hosts Vietnam's home matches during the tournament.

After nearly a month of competition, Vietnam and Thailand have emerged as the two finalists in the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

The first leg of the final will take place at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok at 8:00 pm on August 22.

The second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final between Vietnam and Thailand will be played at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi at 8:00 pm on August 26.

Thailand reached the final with a perfect group-stage record, winning all their matches without conceding a goal. However, they had a much tougher semifinal against Singapore, advancing 4-3 on aggregate after losing the second leg 2-1 at home.

Defending champions Vietnam reached the final unbeaten and conceded just once throughout the tournament. They dominated Malaysia in the semifinals, securing a 4-0 aggregate victory over two legs.

Vietnam and Thailand have previously met in three ASEAN Cup finals, with Vietnam winning twice to claim the title.

Their fourth final meeting will give Thailand a chance to level the head-to-head record or allow Vietnam to strengthen its advantage.