Defending champions Vietnam launched their ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 title defence devastatingly, thrashing Timor-Leste 7-0 in their Group A opener at Chonburi Stadium, Chonburi.
A hat-trick from Nguyễn Đình Bắc, a brace by Đỗ Hoàng Hên, and goals from Nguyễn Xuân Son and an own goal by Liam Farrugia sealed a ruthless victory for Kim Sang-sik’s side at Chonburi, as the Golden Star Warriors immediately stamped their authority on the tournament.
Vietnam needed just seven minutes to break the deadlock. Đình Bắc’s initial effort was blocked inside the penalty area, but Hoàng Hên reacted quickest to the loose ball, calmly steering a left-footed finish beyond goalkeeper Dylan Niski.
Although Timor-Leste resisted for much of the first half-hour, Vietnam doubled their lead in the 31st minute when Đình Bắc curled a superb finish into the bottom corner after being brilliantly released by Nguyễn Hoàng Đức.
The defending champions continued to dominate. Ten minutes later, Hoàng Hên grabbed his second goal after Timor-Leste failed to clear Nguyễn Văn Vĩ’s dangerous delivery, before Đình Bắc struck again in the 43rd minute to make it 4-0.
There was still time for tournament star Nguyễn Xuân Son, the leading scorer of the 2024 edition, to get on the scoresheet before halftime, bundling home Văn Vĩ’s cross deep into stoppage time.
Timor-Leste briefly threatened after the restart when Oatnasio da Silva’s deflected effort struck the post, but Vietnam quickly regained complete control.
The sixth goal arrived in the 65th minute following another slick attacking move. After Quang Hải worked a short corner routine with Hoàng Hên, the ball eventually fell to Bùi Hoàng Việt Anh, whose low cutback found Đình Bắc, allowing the forward to complete his outstanding hat-trick.
Vietnam continued to press for more, with Xuân Son missing another excellent opportunity before the seventh goal finally arrived.
In the 79th minute, Quang Hải’s effort was inadvertently turned into his own net by Liam Farrugia, completing a miserable evening for Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste nearly grabbed a late consolation through Alexandro Bahkito, whose effort drifted narrowly wide in the closing minutes, but Vietnam comfortably secured the tournament’s biggest victory so far.
The emphatic win sends an early warning to the rest of Southeast Asia that Kim Sang-sik’s side remain firmly focused on retaining their regional crown.
With attacking stars Đình Bắc, Xuân Son, Hoàng Hên and Quang Hải all producing standout performances, Vietnam demonstrated both their firepower and squad depth as they moved to the top of Group A.
For Timor-Leste, the heavy defeat leaves José Pedro’s men facing an uphill battle in their remaining group-stage fixtures, while Vietnam have already laid down a powerful marker in their pursuit of back-to-back ASEAN Hyundai Cup titles.
Credit Photo : ZNews
