ASEAN Cup 2026: Vietnam Team Ready for Battle at the 'Furnace' of Pakansari

On one side, the defending champions are under pressure after a slip-up against Singapore; on the other, the hosts have won both opening matches but still show absolute respect for their opponents, calling them "the strongest team in the tournament."

According to a reporter from the Vietnam News Agency present in Bogor, after a disappointing 0-0 draw with Singapore, the Vietnam team is in a situation where they must win to regain control of their destiny in the race for a semi-final spot. Therefore, coach Kim Sang Sik did not hide his determination in the pre-match press conference. The Korean strategist affirmed: "We came here not to find a point but to take all three points."

Kim Sang Sik admitted that failing to beat Singapore has put Vietnam in a more difficult position than expected: "If we had beaten Singapore, preparing for the away game against Indonesia would have been easier. The draw puts pressure on us. However, the players have prepared very well and want to release their regret with a good performance against Indonesia."

Despite the pressure, coach Kim Sang Sik showed confidence in the defense, as Vietnam has not conceded a goal after two matches. He said the coaching staff has thoroughly studied Indonesia's style of play to develop new tactical plans. According to the head coach of the Vietnam team, the two most dangerous names for the hosts are striker Mitchell Baker - a nearly two-meter tall forward leading the scoring list with 4 goals - and midfielder Thom Haye with his ball distribution and decisive passes. He emphasized: "Indonesia has a very fast transition and puts great pressure. But we are completely at ease knowing that behind us there is always an excellent goalkeeper like Patrik Le Giang."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang also affirmed that wearing the Vietnam national team shirt is always the greatest pride in his career. He shared: "For me, every match in the national team jersey is a big match. We are not focusing on any individual on the Indonesian side but will face them with the strength of the whole team."

On the opposite side, despite having a perfect record with 8 goals scored in the first two matches, coach John Herdman still holds great respect for the Vietnam team. The English strategist commented: "These are the matches every coach wants to be part of. We get to face the strongest team in the tournament at a time when both sides desperately need a result."

According to Herdman, Indonesia has a great opportunity to control the group's situation, but that can only be achieved if they overcome the biggest challenge named Vietnam. He said: "I'm not too concerned about the team playing perfectly. No team is perfect for 90 minutes. What I believe is that the players are ready to fight against the strongest opponent in the tournament." The English strategist also praised Vietnam's progress under coach Kim Sang Sik and stressed that Indonesia must not be complacent despite their points advantage.

The match at Pakansari becomes even more notable as the head-to-head history between the two teams is always very balanced. After 31 meetings since 1991, Indonesia has won 11, Vietnam 9, and they have drawn 11 times. The goal tally is also nearly equal, with Indonesia scoring 36 goals and Vietnam 35.

In the ASEAN Cup specifically, the balance is even tighter, with each team having 3 wins in 13 encounters before this year's tournament.

However, recent statistics give hope to coach Kim Sang Sik's team. Vietnam has a streak of 4 consecutive matches without conceding a goal to Indonesia in Southeast Asian tournaments. Since the 2-2 draw in the 2016 AFF Cup, Indonesia has not once scored against Vietnam in the regional competition.

The current reality puts the Vietnam team under great pressure. Indonesia leads Group A with a perfect 6 points, while Vietnam has only 4 points after one win and one draw. If they continue to drop points, the defending champions risk being eliminated from the group stage – something that would be one of the biggest shocks in ASEAN Cup history.

Therefore, the match on the evening of August 3 is not only a showdown between two title contenders but also a test of the defending champions' mettle under the greatest pressure since coach Kim Sang Sik took over the Vietnam team. A win will help Vietnam regain control of their destiny, while a defeat would make the path to the semi-finals extremely fragile.