Nguyễn Đình Bắc Answers Cambodia’s Challenge as Vietnam Win Group A

Cambodia’s equalizer forced Mỹ Đình National Stadium to confront an uncomfortable possibility. Vietnam had controlled the ball, created the better chances and led for most of the evening, yet one sharp Cambodian attack had suddenly placed top spot in Group A back in jeopardy.

The defending champions responded with the composure expected from a team planning another deep tournament run.

Vakhim Im’s 84th-minute own goal restored Vietnam’s advantage before Nguyễn Đình Bắc completed his two-goal performance five minutes later, sealing a 3-1 victory in Hanoi on Friday, August 7.

Vietnam finished the group stage unbeaten with 10 points and advanced to the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 semifinals as Group A winners. Cambodia ended its campaign in fourth place with three points, but Iago Bento Fernandes’ equalizer and the resistance surrounding it made Vietnam work far harder than the final score suggests.

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TL;DR

• Vietnam defeated Cambodia 3-1 at Mỹ Đình National Stadium.
• Nguyễn Đình Bắc scored in the 18th and 89th minutes.
• Substitute Iago Bento Fernandes equalized for Cambodia in the 71st minute.
• Vakhim Im’s 84th-minute own goal became the decisive turning point.
• Vietnam won Group A with 10 points and qualified for the semifinals.
• Cambodia received one yellow card. Vietnam received none, and no red cards were shown.

Vietnam vs Cambodia Match Information

Detail	Information
Match	Vietnam vs Cambodia
Competition	ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026, Group A
Result	Vietnam 3-1 Cambodia
Venue	Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi
Date	Friday, August 7, 2026
Vietnam goals	Nguyễn Đình Bắc 18’, 89’; Vakhim Im own goal 84’
Cambodia goal	Iago Bento Fernandes 71’
Top performer	Nguyễn Đình Bắc, two goals and four shots on target
Turning point	Vakhim Im’s own goal restored Vietnam’s lead in the 84th minute
Yellow cards	Vietnam 0; Cambodia 1
Red cards	None
Group impact	Vietnam won Group A; Cambodia were eliminated

Dình Bắc Gives Vietnam Early Control

Vietnam entered the match knowing a draw would secure qualification, but coach Kim Sang-sik had made his intention clear beforehand. He wanted victory and first place after the frustration of the team’s earlier goalless draw with Singapore.

Dình Bắc delivered the opening goal after 18 minutes. The forward received possession inside the penalty area and produced a forceful finish past Koy Salim, giving Vietnam the reward their territorial control deserved.

The hosts held 75.2 percent possession and attempted 16 shots compared with Cambodia’s six. Their passing repeatedly moved Cambodia’s compact 4-4-2 shape from side to side, while Nguyễn Quang Hải and Nguyễn Hoàng Đức helped control the central spaces.

Dình Bắc remained the most direct threat. All four of his attempts tested the goalkeeper, extending a tournament that began with his hat trick in Vietnam’s 7-0 opening victory over Timor-Leste.

Yet Vietnam failed to turn its control into a second goal before halftime. Salim made timely saves, while Cambodia protected the central route toward goal better than it had during the 5-1 defeat against Indonesia.

Cambodia’s Halftime Change Creates a Real Contest

Cambodia coach Koji Gyotoku introduced Iago Bento Fernandes for Hav Soknet at halftime, sacrificing the scorer of two goals in the 3-0 win over Timor-Leste for a quicker, more mobile attacking option.

The change paid off in the 71st minute.

Iago found the space Cambodia had spent most of the match trying to create and beat Patrik Lê Giang to make it 1-1. Vietnam had conceded for the first time in the tournament, and Cambodia suddenly had a result capable of disrupting the top of Group A.

The equalizer exposed the only serious concern in Vietnam’s performance. Heavy possession can create comfort, and comfort can reduce defensive alertness. Cambodia completed far fewer passes and produced only three shots on target, but one well-timed attack was enough to change the emotional temperature inside Mỹ Đình.

For 13 minutes, Cambodia had belief.

Two Late Goals Separate the Group Winner From the Eliminated Side

Vietnam’s winning goal arrived cruelly for the visitors. With six minutes remaining, pressure around Cambodia’s penalty area ended with Vakhim Im turning the ball into his own net.

The own goal reflected the strain Vietnam had built across the match. Cambodia spent long periods defending close to its goal, making 12 fouls and repeatedly clearing attacks before the hosts could find a clean final shot.

Dình Bắc then removed any remaining uncertainty in the 89th minute. His second goal completed Vietnam’s recovery and moved him further into the tournament’s individual scoring conversation.

The forward’s development has given Kim another reliable match-winner alongside Nguyễn Xuân Son, Đỗ Hoàng Hên and Quang Hải. Vietnam’s depth had already driven its 3-0 victory over Indonesia. Against Cambodia, Dình Bắc supplied both the early finish and the late assurance.

Updated ASEAN Championship Group A Table

Singapore’s draw with Indonesia completed the final Group A standings.

Pos.	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Vietnam	4	3	1	0	13	1	+12	10
2	Singapore	4	2	2	0	5	2	+3	8
3	Indonesia	4	2	1	1	9	5	+4	7
4	Cambodia	4	1	0	3	6	10	-4	3
5	Timor-Leste	4	0	0	4	0	15	-15	0

Vietnam and Singapore advance to the two-legged semifinals. Indonesia miss out despite collecting seven points, while Cambodia and Timor-Leste leave the competition.

The final standings confirm the possibilities outlined in The Sports Encounter’s final group-stage qualification preview. Vietnam will face the Group B runner-up, whose identity will be decided after the remaining matches.

Official tournament schedules and semifinal updates are available through the ASEAN United FC competition portal.

What Vietnam and Cambodia Take From the Group Stage

Vietnam reached the semifinals through three different types of performance. It overwhelmed Timor-Leste, endured Singapore’s defensive resistance and clinically punished Indonesia before surviving Cambodia’s late challenge.

That range matters in knockout football. Kim’s team has scored 13 goals, conceded only once and shown it can win through sustained possession, pressing and rapid transitions.

Cambodia leave with fewer rewards, but their campaign contained useful signs. Soknet’s two goals against Timor-Leste, Iago’s impact in Hanoi and the team’s willingness to keep attacking stronger opponents offer a base for future development.

Vietnam move forward as Group A’s strongest team. Cambodia head home after proving, for a tense second-half spell in Hanoi, that they could still make the defending champions feel the pressure.https://chatgpt.com/backend-api/sentinel/frame.html?sv=20260423af3c