Vietnam's team recharges for the ASEAN Cup championship race

The 3-1 win against Cambodia allowed Vietnam to finish the ASEAN Cup 2026 group stage in first place, providing a much-needed rest period before the semifinals. Yet, beneath the top ranking and the favorable numbers, the display at My Dinh on the night of August 7 also revealed flaws in Vietnam's style of play.

Cambodia, who had no chance to advance, were considered underdogs and missing several key players, but they still madethe Vietnamese teamface a tough match.

The home team controlled possession at 75%, pressed aggressively, and applied constant pressure, but only managed a goal from Dinh Bac in the 16th minute.

In the second half, Vietnam even allowed the opponent to equalize 1-1 and had to wait until the final minutes to secure the game.

The goal that made it 2-1 also showed some luck. Xuan Son's shot deflected off a Cambodia defender in an incredible way into the net. Only at that moment could Vietnamese fans truly breathe a sigh of relief.

This is something that may worry many. Vietnam had no shortage of chances, but the final touches lacked the necessary sharpness. The attacking approach against a deep-lying opponent recalled the draw with Singapore.

When the opponent does not push high, gaps behind the defense are few, and Vietnam immediately struggled to find a way to goal.Coach Kim Sang Sikhad reasons to experiment and rotate, but the fatigue of some players who played continuously also began to show.

Thanh Chung and Xuan Manh, who had been working hard since the start of the tournament, made lapses in concentration leading to the conceded goal. In a match against Cambodia,the Vietnamese teamcould still correct mistakes. But in the semifinals, a single moment of distraction could completely change the situation.

That is the biggest issue coach Kim Sang Sik needs to address during the upcoming break. A team aiming to defend its title cannot rely solely on pressing and counter-attacking. When facing a well-organized defense, Vietnam needs enough options to break through. The match against Cambodia was therefore more of a test than a mere victory.

Coach Kim Sang Sik understands that. Substituting Hoang Duc early was not because the midfielder lost his place, but because he wanted to protect a key player before the knockout stage. The break until the semifinals is therefore very important for Vietnam to recover both physically and mentally.

After four matches, Vietnam has 10 points, scored 13 goals, and conceded only once. That record is enough to be satisfied, but not a reason to be complacent. The real journey to defend the title begins from the semifinals.

Signs of fatigue, lack of sharpness in attack, and defensive errors against Cambodia are timely warnings. If coach Kim Sang Sik makes good use of the break to recharge energy and continues to refine new attacking plans, the Vietnamese team still has a basis to aim for the big goal.

In the long run of a tournament, the champion team does not necessarily have to always play the best. They must be the team that knows when to conserve energy, corrects mistakes in time, and reaches its best form when the decisive matches arrive.