All three victories came against strong rivals and, notably, on hostile away grounds - highlighting the new identity, stature, and maturity of Vietnamese football. Winning on Thailand’s home turf not only secured the championship but also reaffirmed Vietnam’s status as Southeast Asia’s top football team at present. At the youth level, the U23 team brought home pride by winning the Southeast Asian U23 Championship. The emotional climax of the year came with Vietnam’s men’s football team winning gold at the 33rd SEA Games. The South Korean tactician made history as the first coach to guide Vietnamese football to three major titles in a single calendar year.

Source: VietNamNet News January 03, 2026 05:35 UTC