Bangkok: Anthony Hudson, head coach of the Thai national team, is confident as his team prepares to face Vietnam in the ASEAN Cup final, asserting that the pressure is on Vietnam to clinch the championship.
According to Thai News Agency, the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) held a press conference detailing the readiness for the first leg of the Hyundai Cup 2026 final. Thailand, currently ranked 94th globally and a seven-time former champion, will host Vietnam, ranked 99th and a three-time former champion, at the Rajamangala National Stadium. The match is scheduled to kick off at 8:00 PM.
Anthony Hudson emphasized that Thailand is well-prepared, having an extra day for physical recovery compared to their opponents. He acknowledged Vietnam's high-quality team and noted the expectations for them to win, which adds to their pressure. Hudson downplayed the historical record between the two teams, choosing to focus on the upcoming match as if it were the ultimate final. Striker Yotskorn Burapha, who has already scored twice in the tournament, will be a key player for Thailand.
Vietnam's coach, Kim Sang-sik, expressed his confidence in his team's preparation and performance throughout the tournament. He mentioned their positive experiences at Rajamangala National Stadium, underscoring their aim to secure the championship. Sang-sik highlighted the contributions of Nguyen Xuan Son, the tournament's top scorer with five goals, and other team members who are poised to perform well against Thailand.
The 2026 ASEAN Cup Final will commence with the first leg on August 22, 2069, followed by the second leg on August 26, 2069, with Vietnam hosting Thailand.