Thailand may have fallen short of the ASEAN Cup title for a second consecutive tournament, but the reaction from across the border carried as much respect for Vietnam as disappointment over another lost final.

After Thailand drew 2-2 at My Dinh Stadium and lost 4-2 on aggregate, Thai newspapers acknowledged that Vietnam's success could not simply be explained by the two-goal advantage Kim Sang Sik's team had built in Bangkok.

Vietnam, they noted, showed the composure of champions.

Siam Sport highlighted how Thailand twice moved ahead in Hanoi only to be pegged back, including by a stoppage-time equaliser.

The newspaper noted that the 2-2 result left Vietnam 4-2 winners over the two legs and confirmed a successful defence of their Southeast Asian championship.

Thairath struck a similarly resigned tone, recalling how Thailand's 2-0 first-leg defeat at Rajamangala had left Anthony Hudson's team needing an extraordinary comeback in Hanoi.

Instead, the draw at My Dinh delivered Vietnam their fourth ASEAN Cup crown, adding 2026 to their titles in 2008, 2018 and 2024.

Matichon focused on Vietnam's stability across the 180 minutes of the final and the significance of retaining the championship, while Thailand were left with a second successive runners-up finish.

Thailand coach Anthony Hudson also acknowledged the champions' quality.

He congratulated Vietnam and described them as a strong side with talented players and an excellent coach, saying their tactical approach made them deserving winners.

Hudson nevertheless felt Thailand had reason for regret. His team controlled significant stretches of the second leg and created numerous opportunities, with Kakana Khamyok's missed penalty early in the second half proving especially damaging.

Thailand had twice taken the lead, only to concede two own goals.

Hudson said the tournament had been particularly difficult because Thailand had only six weeks to prepare and played just one friendly beforehand. Even so, he remained proud of his young players and thanked Thai clubs for their support.

Thai supporters echoed that mixture of frustration and respect.

Many pointed to the missed penalty as the moment when the final might have changed, while others praised Vietnam for remaining composed under pressure and capitalising when opportunities arrived.

One Thai supporter summed up the prevailing mood by congratulating Vietnam and describing them as the best team in Southeast Asia.

Similar messages came from Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.

Malaysian supporters praised the difficulty of defending a championship, particularly against Thailand in a final. Indonesian fans highlighted Vietnam's consistency throughout the tournament, while supporters from the Philippines and Singapore praised the quality and drama of the two-legged showdown.

The recognition extended beyond supporters and regional newspapers.

ESPN's Southeast Asian football writer Gabriel Tan said Vietnam deserved to be champions again, arguing that, across both legs, few could seriously dispute the outcome.

Reuters highlighted the two Thai own goals and Kakana's missed penalty as crucial moments that undermined Thailand's attempt to overturn the deficit.

The AFC Asian Cup's official social media account also congratulated Vietnam, praising the team for holding firm through a dramatic second leg and completing their aggregate victory.

South Korean media, meanwhile, focused heavily on Kim Sang Sik.

Hankook Ilbo described Kim's achievement as historic, noting that he had guided Vietnam to consecutive ASEAN Cup titles — something even celebrated predecessor Park Hang Seo did not accomplish.

Kim's success with Vietnamese football has extended beyond the senior national team. After winning ASEAN Cup 2024, he also oversaw titles with Vietnam's U23 team at the Southeast Asian U23 Championship and the U22 side at the 33rd SEA Games.

The 2026 ASEAN Cup became his fourth title with Vietnamese national teams.

Sports Hankook highlighted Vietnam's unprecedented successful title defence and their 26-match unbeaten run, while Star News said the championship had reinforced Vietnam's status among Southeast Asia's strongest teams.

For Kim, however, the final itself had been exhausting.

Appearing at his post-match press conference with a gold medal around his neck, the South Korean coach said the players were the central figures in the history Vietnam had just written.

He admitted reprimanding them during a difficult match and acknowledged that Vietnam had been too defensive in the first half. Tactical changes at the interval helped alter the momentum.

When the final whistle came, Kim dropped to the ground.

He later said he had felt as though all his energy had disappeared after the tension of the match.

Three of his previous championships with Vietnamese teams had been secured away from home. This was his first on Vietnamese soil.

There was one practical concern amid the celebrations: with supporters flooding the streets in the traditional post-victory celebrations known locally as di bao, Kim jokingly wondered how the team would manage to get back to its hotel.

For Thai football chief Nualphan Lamsam, widely known as Madam Pang, the night brought a very different emotion.

The Football Association of Thailand president was at My Dinh to watch her country lose another ASEAN Cup final to Vietnam. Afterwards, she thanked the Thai players, clubs and supporters in a short message.

Both ASEAN Cups staged during her first two years leading Thai football have now ended with Vietnam lifting the trophy.

Thailand will not have to wait long for another meeting. The two regional rivals are due to compete in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 in September, where they are grouped with Pakistan and the Philippines in Division 1, with matches scheduled to take place in Indonesia.

For now, however, the regional crown belongs to Vietnam.

And perhaps the clearest measure of this championship came not from the celebrations in Hanoi, but from the voices outside Vietnam - including those of their greatest rivals - acknowledging that the trophy had found a worthy home.

Ngoc Huy - An Nhi - Lam Hoang