"How Far Can the Korean Master’s Surge Go?" Kim Sang-sik Sparks Historic Back-to-Back ASEAN Hyundai Cup Triumph for Vietnam

[Financial News] The Vietnam national football team, led by Kim Sang-sik, defeated archrival Thailand and captured back-to-back titles at the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup, often called the "Southeast Asian World Cup."
Vietnam drew 2-2 with Thailand in the home second leg of the final on the 26th at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam. After winning the first leg 2-0 away on the 22nd, Vietnam secured the trophy with a 4-2 aggregate victory.
The result extended Vietnam's unbeaten run in international 'A' matches to 26 games, with 22 wins and four draws. That is a new national record, far surpassing the previous mark of 18 matches.
Vietnam also achieved its first-ever back-to-back ASEAN Championship title. The country won its first title in 2008 and its second in 2018 under Park Hang-seo. Under Kim, Vietnam has now won in 2024 and again this year, lifting the trophy for the fourth time overall. Kim is the first coach in Vietnam's history to reach the final in two straight editions and win both.
Since taking charge of both Vietnam's senior national team and U-23 national team last year, Kim has added another major milestone to Vietnamese football history, following titles at the AFF U-23 Championship and the SEA Games.


The match was full of twists from the opening minutes. Vietnam lost defender Nguyen Van Vi to injury just nine minutes in, and Thailand took advantage of the disruption to score first through Yotsakon Burapha in the 12th minute. Vietnam then came agonizingly close when naturalized striker Nguyen Xuan Son hit the post with a header in the 43rd minute. Early in the second half, Vietnam faced its biggest scare when it conceded a penalty in the third minute. But Thailand's kicker, Kakana Khamyok, missed the spot kick, and the momentum shifted.
Vietnam escaped the danger and leveled the match in the 7th minute of the second half, when a shot from naturalized forward Do Hoang Hen deflected off the goalkeeper's leg and went in for an own goal.
Thailand went back in front in the 40th minute through an added goal by Wanchai Jarunongkran, but in stoppage time, a clearance attempt by Wanchai again ended in another own goal, sealing Thailand's collapse. Thailand, the tournament's most successful team with six titles, once again failed to overcome Vietnam after losing the 2024 final as well.
Meanwhile, FIFA President Gianni Infantino attended the 2026 Hyundai Cup final in person, watched the match, and took part in the awards ceremony, underscoring the tournament's rising stature as the event marked its 30th anniversary and changed title sponsors from the Suzuki Cup and Mitsubishi Cup.


[email protected] Jeon Sang-il Reporter