Vietnam - Cambodia: Awaiting Surprises from Coach Kim Sang-sik

Since the start of the 2026 ASEAN Cup, Vietnam has 2 wins and 1 draw. Notably, both of Coach Kim Sang-sik's team's wins came when playing as guests. The only match at home in My Dinh so far, Vietnam disappointed with a 0-0 draw against Singapore.

Therefore, in this match against Cambodia, Vietnam desperately needs an impressive victory as a gift for home fans, while also proving that the team is not under psychological pressure when playing at My Dinh.

In this match, Vietnam is rated much stronger than Cambodia. The temple-land team has played three matches so far, winning only one against Timor Leste (3-0), losing two against Singapore (1-2) and Indonesia (1-5). Cambodia has scored 5 goals and conceded 7 after those three matches.

For this match, fans are also looking forward to unexpected adjustments from Coach Kim Sang-sik, who is likely to gradually field players who have had little playing time in previous matches, helping them warm up and get used to the feeling of playing in official international matches. That is also the Korean strategist's way of preparing backup options for the next stage of this year's ASEAN Cup.

In the third match, the Korean strategist made surprising adjustments to Vietnam's starting lineup in the 3-0 win over Indonesia, leaving Nguyen Xuan Son, Hoang Hen, and Quang Hai on the bench. He used Hai Long and Le Pham Thanh Long from the start. Striker Dinh Bac, despite receiving criticism in the match against Singapore, was still started by Kim Sang-sik along with Nguyen Tai Loc. And Vietnam showed a completely different face compared to the match against Singapore at My Dinh.

With the performance against Indonesia, Coach Kim Sang-sik once again left his tactical mark when his team faced difficult circumstances.

Vietnam enters the final group stage match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup with the right to decide their own fate. Just by winning against Cambodia at My Dinh, Coach Kim Sang-sik's team will advance to the semifinals as group leaders without needing to care about the result of the other match. However, besides the 3-point target, attention is also focused on how Coach Kim Sang-sik selects the lineup after the impressive performance against Indonesia.

After the draw with Singapore at My Dinh, Coach Kim Sang-sik admitted that Vietnam had not created enough pressure in attack. Some positions underperformed, causing difficulties against the opponent's tight defense. But in the match against Indonesia just three days later, the Korean strategist made important adjustments. Thanh Long was given a starting chance in midfield to increase ball-winning and recovery ability, while Hai Long also started and quickly repaid the trust with a goal to make it 2-0.

The changes in the second half by Coach Kim Sang-sik, bringing on Xuan Son and Hoang Hen, were also very effective. Among them, Xuan Son was the player who scored the decisive goal.

Through the two matches against Singapore and Indonesia, it can be seen that the willingness to change personnel instead of keeping the same core shows that Coach Kim Sang-sik is creating a positive competitive environment in Vietnam.

Notably, the tactical strategies in the match against Indonesia were very effective. Every time they regained possession, Vietnam quickly transitioned with short passes, exploiting the space behind the opponent's high defensive line. Vietnam also showed that they know how to choose the appropriate style of play instead of just imposing control in every situation.

The biggest change probably lies in the playing mentality. After the draw with Singapore, the pressure on Vietnam was enormous, especially having to play at Pakansari Stadium under the enthusiastic support of tens of thousands of Indonesian fans. However, Coach Kim Sang-sik's students turned that match into a strong affirmation of the defending champions' class.

Not only did they secure all three points, but Vietnam also showed balance between attack and defense, the ability to adapt to various developments of the match, as well as the ever-increasing depth of the squad.

Before hosting Cambodia at My Dinh, fans are also waiting to see if Coach Kim Sang-sik will continue with the same lineup that beat Indonesia or make further changes to maintain competition and prepare for the semifinals. If they continue to maintain form and flexibility in their playing style, Vietnam has every reason to aim for another victory, thereby closing the group stage of the 2026 ASEAN Cup with the top spot in Group A.

The match between Vietnam and Cambodia in Group A of the 2026 ASEAN Cup will take place at 8:00 PM on August 7 at My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi).