Bangkok: Ticket sales have exceeded expectations for the Thai national team's highly anticipated match against Vietnam in the 2026 ASEAN Football Championship, with over 25,000 tickets sold for the first leg of the final. The match, slated to kick off at 8:00 PM at Rajamangala National Stadium, marks a significant moment for Thailand as they seek to avenge their loss to Vietnam two years ago. According to Thai News Agency, the atmosphere surrounding the upcoming match is electric, a stark contrast to the previous three home games, despite earlier heavy rains. The match between Thailand, ranked 94th globally and a 7-time champion, and Vietnam, ranked 99th with three championships, promises to be a thrilling encounter in the Hyundai Cup 2026 ASEAN Football Championship final. The stadium's capacity of 50,000 is expected to be filled, with the current ticket sales being the highest for any home game for Thailand in this year's ASEAN Cup. Fans are advised to purchase tickets from official sales points, where pr ices range from 230 to 530 baht, to avoid inflated prices from unofficial vendors. Vietnamese supporters have shown up in large numbers, donning their iconic red and gold star jerseys, with high hopes of defeating Thailand. Meanwhile, the Thai national team, captained by Sarach Yooyen and featuring key players like Teerasak Pueypimai and Seksan Ratree, arrived at the Sports Authority of Thailand. However, they were unable to perform their traditional ritual of paying respects to sacred objects due to the weather. The Thai team's head coach, Anthony Hudson, has announced a starting lineup featuring several changes from their previous match against Singapore. Kamphol Pathomarkakul will guard the goal, with Warich Chuthong, Manuel Tom Bierh, and Nattapong Sairiya fortifying the defense. The midfield will be anchored by Sarach Yooyen and Seksan Ratree, while the attack will be led by Kakana Khamyok, Teerasak Pueypimai, and Yosakorn Burapha. Vietnam, under the guidance of coach Kim Sang-sik, boasts star players like Nguyen Xuan Son and Nguyen Dinh Bac, both of whom have scored five goals each. The Vietnamese side is confident, having previously triumphed in this tournament and secured a gold medal at the 2025 SEA Games held at the same venue. Historically, Thailand and Vietnam have met 15 times in the ASEAN Cup, with Thailand winning seven matches, four ending in draws, and Vietnam securing four victories. In their three prior final encounters, Vietnam has claimed the championship twice, while Thailand won in 2022.
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