ASEAN Cup 2026: Group A situation before the final round

Meanwhile, Singapore and Indonesia will face off in a "final" match of the group to compete for the remaining ticket. Therefore, the final round of Group A is predicted to be exciting and intense.

After three rounds of Group A in the ASEAN Cup 2026, Vietnam and Singapore both have 7 points, but Kim Sang-sik's squad ranks above due to a superior goal difference. Indonesia is third with 6 points, while Cambodia and Timor Leste are no longer in contention. Given the current situation, Vietnam holds the decisive advantage in the race for the top spot, as they only face Cambodia at home in the final round.

An impressive 3-0 victory at Indonesia's fiery Pakansari Stadium propelled Vietnam to the top of Group A and opened the door wide to the semifinals.

Speaking at the post-match press conference, Coach Kim Sang-sik expressed satisfaction with the result, stating: "With three points against Indonesia, the situation for Vietnam has become very bright."

The South Korean tactician also shared that the difference in this match was not due to a completely new game plan for Indonesia, but rather the team's tactical execution and the players' fighting spirit. Boldly giving opportunities to players who fit the tactical requirements brought new energy, helping Vietnam create a difference in both organizing play and capitalizing on chances.

The criteria for ranking teams in the group stage when at least two teams are level on points are head-to-head points, head-to-head goal difference, and head-to-head goals scored, before considering the same indicators for all group matches. The victory over direct rival Indonesia gave Vietnam an advantage in head-to-head, and it is certain that there is no possibility of Singapore and Indonesia playing for a draw to both advance if Vietnam only gets one point in their away match against the team from the archipelago nation.

Losing at home has put Indonesia in a corner, as Herdman's squad must play a "final" match against Singapore to compete for a semifinal spot. The island nation must win the final round to secure advancement.

As for Singapore, they have the advantage of playing at home in the final round. With one point more than Indonesia, they only need a draw to secure their ticket.

The impressive victory over Indonesia helped Vietnam rise to the top of Group A with 7 points, holding a big advantage in the race for the semifinals. In the final round, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team will return home to host Cambodia, aiming to finish the group stage at the top.

Beyond calculations about their chances of advancing, many fans also wonder: Should the team aim for the top spot in Group A, or would finishing second be more advantageous in the semifinals?

Under the ASEAN Cup 2026 format, the Group A winner will face the Group B runner-up in the semifinals, while the Group A runner-up will meet the Group B winner. Therefore, finishing first or second in Group A does not automatically mean facing a stronger or weaker opponent.

Currently, Group B's final standings are not yet decided. If the strongest team in Group B finishes at the top, then topping Group A would allow Vietnam to avoid that opponent and only face the runner-up. Conversely, if a surprise causes the strong team to slip to second place, then finishing second in Group A could bring a more favorable opponent. The advantage of finishing first or second in Group A depends on the developments in Group B, and cannot be concluded based solely on the current standings.

A detail that also draws attention from teams is that, according to tournament regulations, the Group A winner will play the second leg of the semifinal at home. This is considered a significant advantage both professionally and psychologically. Therefore, with Group B still undecided, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team still has reason to aim for the top spot in Group A rather than calculating to avoid a specific opponent. Only when both groups conclude can fans determine which path is truly more favorable on the journey to defend the ASEAN Cup title.

ASEAN Cup 2026 Group A final round schedule
8:00 PM on August 7: Vietnam vs Cambodia (My Dinh Stadium, Hanoi).
8:00 PM on August 7: Singapore vs Indonesia (Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore).