Vietnam readies squad for ASEAN Cup 2026 opener against Timor Leste

Vietnam, the defending champions of the ASEAN Cup, are completing their final preparations for the tournament’s opening match on 24 July 2026 at Chonburi Stadium in Thailand. Coach Kim Sang‑sik has overseen three weeks of training, including a two‑week camp in Incheon, South Korea, followed by a series of friendly matches in Thailand, the most recent a 4‑0 victory over Myanmar. The squad features naturalised forwards Hoàng Hên and Nguyễn Tài Lộc alongside striker Nguyễn Đình Bắc and midfield dynamo Nguyễn Quang Hải. Vietnam aims to secure a win over Timor Leste, which coach Zé Pedro has assembled with several Europe‑based players, to start its title‑defence campaign on a positive note. Sports‑media outlets predict a 2‑0 victory for Vietnam, citing the team’s 14‑match unbeaten run and its depth of attacking talent. The match will be the first senior‑level encounter between the two nations in the competition, with Vietnam seeking to build momentum for the group stage that also includes Indonesia, Singapore and Cambodia.