Overall, the Thailand national team passed the test… Although finishing as runners-up, there is confidence they can still improve further.
The Thailand national team finished as runners-up in the 2026 ASEAN Cup, marking their second consecutive loss to Vietnam in the final since 2024.
The final match featured many events: Khokana Kamyok missed a penalty that would have put Thailand ahead 2-0, making the game easier; own goals by Chatichai Butprom and Wanchai Jarunongkran were unfortunate, and I do not blame the players—no one wants to make such mistakes.
Similar incidents have happened before against Vietnam: Theerathon Bunmathan missed a penalty during an away World Cup 2022 qualifier; Phatthana Hemvipul scored an own goal in the second leg of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final.
I want to emphasize that players feel immense pressure on the field; even watching, we feel tense and stressed.
Everyone gave their all. At least we saw under-23 players like Yotsakorn Burapha, Theerasak Phaipimai, Khokana Kamyok, Seksan Ratri, Chaipol Adton, Usamma Tiangkham, and Waris Chuthong competing against Vietnam’s Asian Cup 2027 squad, showing what works and what needs improvement.
Vietnam’s superiority over Thailand comes down to two main factors.
First, “physical strength.”
They maintain their performance without fading, thanks to a three-month training camp with league suspension. This is something we've often said they can do but we cannot. I once asked Vietnamese media, and they said if the national team’s performance is poor, people won’t watch the league at all.
Second, “quality game-changing substitutes.”
In the first match, Vietnam substituted Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Hai Long, who then scored. In this game, the second-half substitutions sparked more excitement and two goals. Their bench players are almost equal in quality to their starters, unlike us. But remember, how many players from this Thai squad will become starters in the 2027 Asian Cup, unlike Vietnam?
For me, in the second leg of the final, the Thai players showed heart. Anthony Hudson surely noticed the criticism from earlier rounds about too little possession and defensive play. In the final, Thailand clearly held more possession than Vietnam and played more entertaining football, even if the results weren’t as hoped.
Overall, I think this Thailand squad passed the test but can still improve. We just need time for this new generation to develop stronger football resilience. Regarding less match fitness compared to Vietnam, that must be dismissed because the Thai League cannot postpone matches for the ASEAN Cup held in the same period (which is not on FIFA dates).
Sending support to the Thailand national team and wishing everyone a safe journey home.
- Pup Thattat -