Vietnam friendlies: Vietnam sweep three South Korean warm-ups ahead of ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026
Vietnam friendlies: Vietnam swept three warm-ups in South Korea, beating Siheung, Yongin and Gangwon as they finalise preparations to defend the ASEAN Cup 2026.
Hanoi, 17 July 2026 — Vietnam completed a perfect run in South Korea with three wins from three friendlies as they sharpened their preparation to defend the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026. The Vietnam friendlies campaign featured a 6-0 rout of K League 3 side Siheung FC, a 2-1 victory over K League 2’s Yongin FC and a come-from-behind 2-1 win against K League 1 team Gangwon FC. The results leave the squad buoyant ahead of their final warm-up versus Myanmar and the competitive fixtures that follow in Thailand.
Three wins in three: results and key moments
Vietnam produced an increasingly polished display across the South Korea trip, starting with a dominant performance against Siheung FC in the opening game. The 6-0 scoreline against a K League 3 side showcased Vietnam’s attacking depth and finishing quality, with multiple players getting on the scoresheet. The second encounter, against Yongin FC, tested the visitors more but still ended 2-1 in Vietnam’s favour as the team began to manage tighter opposition.
The toughest fixture came against top-flight Gangwon FC, where Vietnam recovered from an early setback to secure a 2-1 victory. Gangwon opened the scoring from a 14th-minute penalty, but Nguyen Xuan Son equalised in the 28th minute and Pham Gia Hung put Vietnam ahead in the 65th minute. The comeback against a K League 1 opponent underlined the squad’s resilience and capacity to adapt in-game.
Standout performers and squad balance
Several players emerged from the South Korea swing with boosted reputations, most notably Nguyen Xuan Son and Pham Gia Hung, who provided vital goals in the Gangwon match. Xuan Son’s level-headed finish to level the game and Pham’s decisive strike offered clear evidence of attacking options beyond the usual starters. Across the three matches, younger squad members also earned valuable minutes, giving the coaching staff a clearer picture of depth.
Defensively, Vietnam managed to keep the backline organised after the early concession to Gangwon, demonstrating improved communication and set-piece awareness. Goalkeeper rotations and back-four combinations were tested, and the coaching team appeared satisfied with the balance between experience and younger prospects. Overall, the friendlies allowed Vietnam to assess fitness levels and competitive sharpness ahead of tournament play.
Preparation timeline and upcoming fixtures
Vietnam will return for one more scheduled test when they face Myanmar at Thai Nguyen Stadium tomorrow, a final tune-up before the ASEAN Hyundai Cup begins. Tournament organisers have placed Vietnam in Group A alongside Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Timor-Leste, setting up a challenging opening phase. The national team’s first competitive match will be against Timor-Leste on 24 July 2026 at Chonburi Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand, a fixture that formally starts their title defence.
The coaching staff have deliberately structured the preparation to include varied opposition from different tiers of the Korean league system, combining confidence-building ties with matches that simulate tougher tournament scenarios. With little time between the South Korea tour, the Myanmar friendly and the tournament opener, the emphasis has been on recovery protocols and rapid tactical briefings. Fitness management will be central in the coming days to ensure the core players arrive in Thailand ready to compete.
Tactical takeaways from the South Korea tour
Across the three friendlies, Vietnam displayed a willingness to press higher up the pitch and transition quickly from defence to attack. The early penalty against Gangwon exposed moments of vulnerability in the pressing triggers, but subsequent adjustments limited further clear chances. Attacking transitions, particularly down the flanks and through quick combinations in and around the penalty area, delivered the bulk of Vietnam’s goals.
Set pieces also represented a mixed bag; while the team profited from dead-ball situations in the Siheung rout, there were moments where concentration lapses almost proved costly. The coaching staff will likely prioritise defensive set-piece routines and the timing of forward runs in the remaining days before the ASEAN Hyundai Cup. Tactical flexibility — a midfield capable of breaking lines and a forward unit that can operate both centrally and wide — will remain a priority for lineup decisions.
Implications for squad selection and rotation
The three clean wins have provided the head coach with concrete data on player form and squad depth, which will inform final selections for the tournament. Those who seized playing time in South Korea, including fringe and younger players, have strengthened their cases for inclusion in the matchday squads. Conversely, the coaching team must still weigh fitness concerns and minutes for established starters to avoid fatigue early in the group stage.
Rotation will be necessary during the ASEAN Hyundai Cup given the compressed schedule and the physical demands of tournament play. Expect a strategy that preserves key attacking and midfield personnel while using versatile squad members to maintain intensity across matches. Decisions about captaincy, penalty takers and substitution patterns will likely draw on the experience gained on the Korea tour and the tactical clarity developed in training.
Regional context and title defence outlook
Vietnam enter the ASEAN Hyundai Cup as reigning champions and one of the favourites, but regional rivals have also strengthened in recent months. Singapore and Indonesia present notable challenges with their own improvements in domestic leagues and coaching setups. Cambodia and Timor-Leste, while considered underdogs, have shown they can be difficult opponents in tournament scenarios where margins are fine.
The group draw offers a pathway to the knockout rounds but leaves no room for complacency, particularly in the opener versus Timor-Leste where environmental conditions and match rhythm could be decisive. Vietnam’s perfect string of South Korea friendlies provides momentum, but translating that into consistent results in Chonburi will require tactical discipline, mental focus and clinical finishing.
Vietnam’s immediate task is clear: consolidate gains from the friendlies, fine-tune tactical details in the final Myanmar test, and enter the ASEAN Hyundai Cup with a blend of confidence and caution. The team’s performance in South Korea will be measured most meaningfully by how quickly they convert form into points once competitive play begins.
Looking ahead, supporters will watch squad announcements and starting selections closely as Vietnam move from preparation to competition, hoping the momentum from three wins abroad will carry into a successful title defence.
