Hai Long earns highest rating while goalkeeper named player of match in Vietnam’s win over Thailand

Coming off the bench in the 59th minute, Hai Long made an immediate impact, scoring Vietnam’s opening goal just three minutes after entering the game.

The midfielder received a 7.7 rating from Sofascore, the highest of any player in the first-leg final.

Vietnam endured a difficult opening half as Thailand applied sustained pressure, but head coach Kim Sang Sik’s substitutions proved decisive in the second half.

In the 58th minute, coach Kim introduced Hai Long and Quang Hai in place of Xuan Son and Thanh Long.

The changes quickly transformed the game.

Midfielder Hoang Duc launched the move from Vietnam’s half, with Dinh Bac accelerating onto the ball before producing a superb backheel for Hai Long to run onto.

The 25-year-old Hai Long then finished confidently to put Vietnam ahead in the 62nd minute.

Hai Long continued to trouble the Thai defense with his quick feet, pace, and dribbling ability.

His movement created repeated problems for the hosts and helped Vietnam gain control of the match.

According to football statistics platform Sofascore, Hai Long attempted three shots in just over 32 minutes on the pitch, with two on target and one blocked.

He also completed nine of his 12 passes, recording a 75-percent passing accuracy.

Those numbers earned him a 7.7 rating, the highest in the match.

Behind him were three other Vietnam players, including Dinh Bac, Patrik Le Giang and Quang Hai, who each received a rating of 7.5.

After the first goal, attacking midfielder Quang Hai doubled Vietnam’s lead in the 68th minute, with a powerful volley into the near corner.

While Hai Long provided the attacking spark, Patrik Le Giang played an equally important role at the other end of the pitch.

Thailand created the greater pressure for much of the first half, repeatedly attempting to break through Vietnam’s defense with quick combinations and shots from different areas.

Their most dangerous moment came in the 36th minute, when Yotsakorn Burapha found space inside the penalty area and unleashed a threatening effort.

Vietnam's goalkeeper reacted brilliantly, diving across to make a superb save and deny Thailand a goal.

Only minutes later, Burapha escaped again and found himself one-on-one with Patrik Le Giang.

He rushed off his line, narrowed the angle, and prevented the Thai forward from making the most of the opportunity.

His composure and sharp reflexes helped Vietnam survive Thailand’s strongest spell at Rajamangala before coach Kim’s second-half changes turned the match in the visitors’ favor.

Even after Vietnam took a two-goal lead, Patrik Le Giang remained fully focused.

In stoppage time, he produced another impressive save to deny Waris Choolthong, preserving both Vietnam’s victory and clean sheet.

Sofascore awarded Le Giang a 7.5 rating, but his performance earned an even greater distinction: he was voted Player of the Match.

After the game, coach Kim singled out his goalkeeper for praise.

“If he had not been so outstanding, perhaps we would have conceded three goals,” the South Korean coach said.

Vietnam now hold a commanding advantage heading into the second leg.

The decisive ASEAN Cup 2026 finale will take place at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on August 26, with coach Kim’s side looking to complete the job on home soil.