Thailand Captain Rallies Team After First-Leg Loss to Vietnam
Thailand fell 0-2 to Vietnam in the first leg of the AFF Championship final but captain Saraech Yooyuen insists the team can recover in the decisive second match in Hanoi on August 26.
Thailand's national football team lost the first leg of the 2026 AFF Championship final 0-2 to Vietnam on August 22 at Rajamangala Stadium. The second leg will be played at Minh Dai Hang Stadium in Hanoi on August 26, where Thailand must win by at least two goals to force extra time, or win 3-0 to claim the championship.
Captain Saraech Yooyuen said after the match: "We still have luck on our side in a home-and-away final. We have another game, another 90 minutes to fight. I think a 0-2 score isn't too far to recover from. Everyone is still battling and will try to come back in the second game."
He added: "What we saw today is that they scored on two counter-attacks against us. We conceded too easily, so we need more focus. In the second game, I believe they will still set up defensively and wait for counter-attacks as before. We must be alert to their breaks and try to create more scoring chances."
"I think the mental state of everyone is quite good," Saraech continued. "Everyone still believes that in the second game, if we score early, momentum will come back to us."
Thailand will face Vietnam in the second leg of the 2026 AFF Championship final at Minh Dinh Stadium on August 26 at 8 p.m., with the match broadcast live on TrueVisions Now.
