# Vietnam dominates AFF Cup 2026 with record Best XI > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/thailand-vs-laos-asean-cup-2026 > Updated: 2026-09-09T03:31:37.000Z. Sources: 127. Developments: 20. Vietnam’s preparations for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 have transitioned from injury concerns to record-breaking individual and team achievements. While the squad initially faced roster challenges, including the loss of defender Nguyễn Văn Vĩ due to a serious muscle tear, the team ultimately secured the championship. Following a dominant campaign in which Vietnam recorded six wins and two draws—scoring 21 goals and conceding only three—the national team set a record by occupying 10 of the 11 positions in the tournament’s Best XI. Thailand’s Teerasak Poeiphimai was the only player from another nation included in the selection. Individual accolades for the Vietnamese squad include Patrik Lê Giang being named Best Goalkeeper, while Đình Bắc and Xuân Son shared the Golden Boot award, each scoring five goals. The tournament’s Best XI features a 4-3-3 formation consisting of goalkeeper Patrik Lê Giang; defenders Xuân Mạnh, Văn Hậu, Thành Chung, and Văn Vĩ; midfielders Hoàng Đức, Quang Hải, and Hai Long; and forwards Xuân Son and Đình Bắc. ## Claims - Vietnam has a 24-match unbeaten streak since October 2024 (disputed by 2 sources) - Đình Bắc and Xuân Son are leading the race for the top scorer title with 5 goals each. (disputed by 2 sources) - Vietnam has an unbeaten streak of 25 matches heading into the final. (disputed by 2 sources) - The tournament’s top‑scorer race is tied with Mitchell Baker (Indonesia) and Win Naing Tun (Myanmar) each having four goals. (disputed) - Vietnam won the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final against Thailand with a 2-0 scoreline. (corroborated by 20 sources) - The second leg of the ASEAN Cup final will take place on August 26, 2026, at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi. (corroborated by 14 sources) - Nguyễn Quang Hải scored the second goal in the 69th minute. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai scored the goals in the first leg. (corroborated by 8 sources) - Vietnam coach Kim Sang-sik emphasized the need for recovery and thorough preparation ahead of the second leg in Hanoi. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-09: Vietnam football team sets record with 10 spots in AFF Cup 2026 Best XI Vietnam set an AFF Cup 2026 record by claiming 10 of the 11 spots in the tournament's Best XI following their championship victory. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-football-team-sets-record-with-10-spots-in-aff-cup-2026-best-xi ### 2026-09-06: Vietnam football team faces injury setback ahead of FIFA ASEAN Cup Vietnam's national team faces setbacks for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 as defender Nguyễn Văn Vĩ is ruled out with a serious muscle injury. The tournament will feature FIFA-managed rankings. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-football-team-faces-injury-setback-ahead-of-fifa-asean-cup ### 2026-09-04: Vietnam football prepares for FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 Vietnam prepares for the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 as the V-League season begins, amid player injury concerns and rising talent evaluations by coach Kim Sang-sik. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-national-football-team-seeks-midfield-depth-for-fifa-asean-cup-2026 ### 2026-08-30: Vietnam football prepares for FIFA ASEAN Cup following regional title win After winning the ASEAN Cup 2026, Vietnam prepares for the FIFA ASEAN Cup in Indonesia, facing Thailand and the Philippines, while FIFA considers expanding the 2030 World Cup to 64 teams. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thailand-womens-volleyball-wins-2026-asian-championship ### 2026-08-28: Kim Sang-sik leads Vietnam to second consecutive ASEAN Hyundai Cup title Vietnam's national football team has won its second consecutive ASEAN Hyundai Cup title under manager Kim Sang-sik, who now aims to lead the squad to the FIFA World Cup. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/coach-kim-sang-sik-jokes-about-magic-after-vietnam-wins-asean-cup ### 2026-08-28: Vietnam national football team defends ASEAN Cup title Vietnam's national football team successfully defended its ASEAN Cup title, defeating Thailand to win 620,000 USD in total prize money and receiving further commendation from the Vietnamese government. 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-football-team-leads-thailand-in-asean-cup-final ### 2026-08-25: Vietnam wins ASEAN Cup 2026 after defeating Thailand Vietnam defended its ASEAN Cup title by defeating Thailand 4-2 on aggregate, setting a tournament record for goal difference under coach Kim Sang-sik. 70 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-football-team-seeks-asean-cup-title-defense-against-thailand ### 2026-08-23: Vietnam vs Thailand: 2026 ASEAN Cup final second leg Vietnam faces Thailand in the 2026 ASEAN Cup final second leg at My Dinh Stadium. Vietnam leads 2-0 on aggregate, while FIFA President Gianni Infantino is expected to attend the decisive match. 35 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/peoples-army-of-vietnam-wins-2026-asean-open-military-volleyball-title ### 2026-08-21: Vietnam leads Thailand 2-0 in ASEAN Cup 2026 final first leg Vietnam leads Thailand 2-0 after the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final. The second leg will be held at My Dinh Stadium, with FIFA President Gianni Infantino expected to attend. 44 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-football-team-returns-to-hanoi-ahead-of-asean-cup-final ### 2026-08-19: Vietnam and Thailand face off in 2026 ASEAN Cup final Vietnam and Thailand face off in the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final at Rajamangala Stadium, with Vietnam seeking to defend their title against a Thai side looking to end a long winless streak. 32 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-advances-to-asean-cup-final-after-defeating-malaysia ### 2026-08-17: Vietnam and Malaysia face AFF Cup semifinal rematch Vietnam prepares to host Malaysia for the 2026 AFF Cup semifinal second leg at My Dinh Stadium amid heavy rain forecasts and a 2-0 aggregate deficit for Malaysia. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-and-malaysia-face-aff-cup-semifinal-rematch ### 2026-08-17: Thailand advances to ASEAN Cup 2026 final Thailand advances to the 2026 ASEAN Cup final with a 4-3 aggregate win over Singapore, while Vietnam holds a 2-0 lead against Malaysia in their semifinal. 30 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-defeats-malaysia-2-0-in-asean-cup-semifinal-first-leg ### 2026-08-10: Cong An Ha Noi qualifies for AFC Champions League Elite Cong An Ha Noi FC has qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite, while the ASEAN Cup 2026 enters its semi-finals featuring Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Thailand. 22 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-identified-as-top-asean-cup-2026-title-contender ### 2026-08-10: Vietnam defender warns against complacency before ASEAN Cup semifinal Vietnam defender Nguyen Thanh Chung warns against complacency ahead of the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals against Malaysia, citing the need to fix defensive lapses and defend captain Quang Hai. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vietnam-defender-warns-against-complacency-before-asean-cup-semifinal ### 2026-08-08: ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 semifinals set with Malaysia and Vietnam The 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup semifinals are set, featuring Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, and Thailand after intense group stage action. 33 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysia-advances-to-asean-hyundai-cup-semifinals-after-beating-philippines ### 2026-08-06: Vietnam advances to ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 semi‑finals Vietnam beat Cambodia 3‑1 to win Group A and reach the ASEAN Hyundai Cup semi‑finals; Singapore draws 1‑1 with Indonesia to also advance. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/asean-hyundai-cup-2026-group-stage-sees-vietnam-eye-semifinals-and-indonesia-chase-qualification ### 2026-08-04: Vietnam targets Group A title in ASEAN Cup 2026 ahead of Cambodia clash Vietnam leads Group A (7 pts) and seeks a win over Cambodia to clinch top spot; Myanmar’s 7‑2 win ties the top‑scorer race; Malaysia miss two players; Thailand unbeaten but at risk of elimination. 16 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/myanmar-thrashes-laos-7-2-to-lead-aff-cup-2026-group-b ### 2026-07-27: Malaysia leads Group B of AFF Championship 2026 after 4‑0 win Malaysia beat Laos 4‑0 to lead Group B of the 2026 AFF Championship on goal‑difference over Thailand, both on six points; coach Tan Cheng Hoe calls for improvements before the Thailand match. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/malaysia-prepares-for-thailand-showdown-in-asean-cup-2026 ### 2026-07-24: Thailand beats Laos 5-0 to open Group B of ASEAN Hyundai Cup Thailand thrashed Laos 5‑0 in Vientiane to lead Group B of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup, with Kakana Khamyok netting twice and a red card issued to Laos. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thailand-beats-laos-5-0-to-open-group-b-of-asean-hyundai-cup ### 2026-07-23: Thailand football team prepares for ASEAN Cup clash with Laos Thailand’s football team, coached by Anthony Haddson, held a press conference and trained in Vientiane before their 25 July 2026 ASEAN Cup opener against Laos, expressing confidence and readiness. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thailand-football-team-departs-for-laos-ahead-of-asean-cup-2026-opener --- Cite as: Vietnam dominates AFF Cup 2026 with record Best XI. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/thailand-vs-laos-asean-cup-2026