Vietnam's goalless draw with Singapore has made the race for the ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-finals more complicated. Although the defending champions still control their own destiny, head coach Kim Sang Sik and his players now need a strong result against Indonesia.

Vietnam opened their campaign in impressive fashion with a 7-0 victory over Timor-Leste. However, the subsequent 0-0 draw with Singapore has tightened the standings in Group A and increased the pressure on the defending champions.

Goal difference remains an advantage

After two matches, Vietnam have four points and sit third in Group A, behind Singapore (seven points from three matches) and Indonesia (six points).

Despite the setback, Vietnam retain an important advantage in goal difference. The team are +7, having scored seven goals without conceding, a record that could prove decisive if teams finish level on points.

Even so, the strong goal difference cannot fully offset the missed opportunity to move closer to qualification after the draw with Singapore.

Indonesia clash could decide qualification

Vietnam's next challenge is an away match against Indonesia on August 3, a fixture widely regarded as the defining match of their group-stage campaign.

A victory would lift Vietnam to seven points, moving them ahead of Indonesia and placing the team in a strong position to secure a semi-final berth.

If Vietnam then defeat Cambodia at home in their final group match, they would be guaranteed a place in the last four.

A draw keeps hopes alive

A draw against Indonesia would still leave Vietnam with a realistic chance of advancing, although qualification would become less straightforward.

A defeat, however, would leave the defending champions without control of their own fate. In that scenario, Vietnam would need to beat Cambodia and rely on favorable results elsewhere in the group.

The opportunity to reach the semi-finals remains firmly within the grasp of Nguyen Quang Hai, Nguyen Xuan Son and their teammates, but the showdown with Indonesia is expected to be their toughest test yet in the defense of the ASEAN Cup title.

Thien Binh