BANGKOK: Thailand coach Anthony Hudson remains confident his team can still win the Asean Hyundai Cup 2026 despite seeing his side suffer a 2-0 loss in the first leg of the final against defending champions Vietnam in Bangkok’s Rajamangala Stadium on Saturday.
The Thais were on top for much of the opening hour of the decider but two goals in seven second-half minutes from substitutes Nguyễn Hai Long and Nguyễn Quang Hải earned the title holders a two-goal advantage ahead of Wednesday’s return leg in Hanoi.
“Obviously disappointed with the result,” said Hudson. “I thought we deserved more out of the game in terms of the chances we created. Their goalkeeper (Patrik Lê Giang) got man of the match, which tells you something.
“I think all of us, the staff and players have a huge amount of belief that the tie is still very much open and we’re looking forward to going to Hanoi.”
Thailand were unable to capitalise on several opportunities to take the lead, with Patrik spectacularly denying Yotsakon Burapha with an eye-catching 36th minute save before the young striker also squandered a gilt-edge opening with a minute left in the first half.
The home side were to rue those misses when Hai Long slid the ball past Kampon Phatomakkakul for the 62nd minute opener while Quang Hải doubled the lead seven minutes later with a volley on the run that beat the Thailand goalkeeper at his near post.
Despite that two-goal deficit, however, Hudson remains bullish about his team’s chances of securing a record-extending eighth title for Thailand.
“If I didn’t I wouldn’t even bother getting on the aeroplane,” Hudson said of his continuing belief in his team’s prospects.
“One goal in Hanoi, one goal, and the tie is completely open. Our biggest thing that is going to be our biggest challenge is where we are physically. We need to recover quickly. If we can recover quickly, then we have a chance.
“I believe in this group. If we can get those things and get the players to Vietnam feeling fresh, 100 percent, we are still in the tie and we have a chance.”
Despite his disappointment at the defeat – the team’s second in a row following their loss in the second leg of the semi-final against Singapore – Hudson praised his side, in particular the inexperienced players featuring for the first time on the international stage.
“I’m actually so proud of the whole group, so proud,” he said. “So proud of the young players that there’s a part of me inside that is frustrated because I think if we were fitter, I think these guys can do more in this tournament.
“Vietnam have been in a camp for two months and played friendly games in South Korea. If the guys were fitter they’d be more clinical in front of goal.
“Irrespective of that, I love these players, I love the young lads. They have given us everything and they have so much potential.”
