Thailand Face Vietnam in Crucial ASEAN Championship Final First Leg
Anthony Hudson’s fully fit Thailand side aim for a first-leg advantage against holders Vietnam in the ASEAN Championship 2026 Final tonight
- Thailand is playing Vietnam in the first leg of the ASEAN Championship 2026 final.
- Thailand, playing at home, enters the match with a fully fit squad and is aiming for a first-leg advantage.
- Defending champions Vietnam are in strong form but have a potential injury concern over winger Nguyen Van Vi.
Anthony Hudson’s fully fit Thailand side aims for a first-leg advantage against holders Vietnam in the ASEAN Championship 2026 final tonight.
Regional football giants Thailand and Vietnam renew their fierce rivalry tonight as the two sides clash in the first leg of the ASEAN Championship 2026 Final at 20:00 ICT, with the War Elephants aiming to secure a vital home advantage in pursuit of regional glory.
Hudson Boasts Fully Fit Squad
According to Krungthep Turakij sports reporter Pornchai Thunchaisong, Thailand head coach Anthony Hudson approaches the opening tie with a clean bill of health across his entire squad.
Kampol Pathomakkakul is set to start in goal, shielded by a central defensive partnership of Manuel Tom Bihr and Nattapong Sayriya. Chaiphol Adthon will provide defensive screen duties in central midfield, granting veteran Sarach Yooyen the freedom to drive forward as a box-to-box engine.
Out wide, Seksan Ratree and Kakana Khamyok are slated to supply width and creative service to a frontline partnership of Teerasak Poeiphimai and Yotsakorn Burapha.
Holders Vietnam Rely on Tactical Rigidity
Defending champions Vietnam, led by South Korean manager Kim Sang-sik, arrive in Bangkok in commanding form, though winger Nguyen Van Vi faces a late fitness evaluation.
Kim is expected to field a disciplined 3-5-2 system anchored by centre-back Nguyen Thanh Chung. Le Pham Thanh Long and Nguyen Hoang Duc will dictate the tempo from central midfield, while attack-minded starlet Nguyen Dinh Bac is lined up alongside two naturalised Brazilian forwards to spearhead the offensive threat.
Predicted Starting XI
|
Position |
Thailand |
Vietnam |
|
Goalkeeper |
Kampol Pathomakkakul |
Patrik Le Giang |
|
Defenders |
Waris Choolthong, Manuel Tom Bihr, Nattapong Sayriya, Oussama Thiangkham |
Pham Xuan Manh, Nguyen Thanh Chung, Doan Van Hau |
|
Midfielders |
Seksan Ratree, Sarach Yooyen, Chaiphol Adthon, Kakana Khamyok |
Truong Tien Anh, Nguyen Hoang Duc, Le Pham Thanh Long, Nguyen Van Vi |
|
Forwards |
Teerasak Poeiphimai, Yotsakorn Burapha |
Nguyen Thai Loc, Nguyen Xuan Son, Nguyen Dinh Bac |
The first leg kicks off tonight, 22 August 2026, at 20:00 ICT, with a live broadcast available free via the TrueVisions Now application.
