Vietnam haven't beaten Thailand at home for 27 years

Vietnam have played Thailand 29 times at the national team level, with a modest record of 3 wins, 8 draws, and 18 losses. This translates to a win rate of just 10%, while defeats account for 62%. In official tournaments, Vietnam have beaten Thailand only twice in the last 30 years.

The first victory came in the semifinal of the 1998 Tiger Cup (now ASEAN Cup) at Hang Day Stadium. Goals from Truong Viet Hoang, Nguyen Hong Son and Van Sy Hung secured a 3-0 triumph for the home team. However, Vietnam have struggled against Thailand at home ever since, drawing four and losing three in the next meetings.

At the 2008 AFF Cup final under coach Henrique Calisto, Vietnam defeated Thailand 2-1 in the first leg at Rajamangala Stadium before drawing 1-1 at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, securing their first-ever title. Since then, 17 years have passed without another official win over Thailand.

Ahead of the 2024 ASEAN Cup final, Vietnam are having better form than Thailand. Coach Kim Sang-sik’s team remain unbeaten in the tournament, while Thailand as defending champions suffered a 1-2 loss to the Philippines in the semifinal first leg. Statistically, Thailand’s attack has been more potent, but Vietnam boasted a better defense.

Vietnam have scored 16 goals across six matches, while Thailand have netted 22. However, Vietnam’s defense has conceded only three goals compared to Thailand’s seven. Thailand lead in chances created and assists, but Vietnam have more clean sheets and fewer shots received.

A smaller face-off in the final will be the battle between strikers Nguyen Xuan Son and Suphanat Mueanta for the MVP of the tournament. Son, Vietnam’s naturalized Brazilian striker, leads the race with five goals in just three matches. Mueanta, alongside Vietnam’s Nguyen Tien Linh, follows closely with four goals. Mueanta also tops the assists tally with four.

Son has created four key chances, with two converted into goals. While he has missed only one clear opportunity, Mueanta has missed three. Additionally, Son’s ball-winning success rate (55%) surpasses Mueanta’s 49%, according to Sofascore.

The MVP award likely depends on which player delivers in the two finals and helps their team lift the trophy. Linh, though less impactful in earlier rounds, could also emerge as a hero.

The first leg will take place on Thursday at Viet Tri Stadium, Phu Tho Province in northern Vietnam, with the second leg scheduled for Jan. 5 at Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok. Thailand has gone unbeaten in their last eight home matches since a 0-3 loss to South Korea in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

Vietnam will play Thailand on Thursday, 8 p.m. (Hanoi time). The game will be reported live on VnExpress International.