Vietnam secured a comfortable victory over Cambodia with a 3-1 scoreline in the 5th group stage match of the AFF Championship on 2026-08-07. The hosts controlled the tempo from the opening whistle, though the visitors showed moments of resistance. By then, the Vietnamese side had already established a clear advantage in possession and territory.
The opening moment arrived in the 18th minute when Nguyen Dinh Bac found the net to give the hosts the lead. To be fair, the build-up was methodical rather than frantic, reflecting a cautious approach early on. Cambodia struggled to clear the danger, allowing the Vietnamese striker to capitalize on the space.
The second half began with immediate changes, as both managers brought on fresh legs at the 46th minute. S. Hav and Nguyen Hoang Duc were among those introduced to shift the momentum. The visitors hoped to disrupt the rhythm, but the hosts maintained their structure without panic. The game remained balanced for a while longer.
The match remained quiet until the 71st minute, when I. Fernandes doubled the advantage for Vietnam. Cambodia found themselves chasing the game, sensing blood as the Vietnamese side pushed forward. The visitors' defence began to crumble under the sustained pressure.
A late twist occurred in the 84th minute with an own goal by V. Im, which briefly brought the visitors back into contention. However, the hosts closed the game out shortly after, as Nguyen Dinh Bac scored his second in the 89th minute. The result was sealed, leaving no room for further drama or late surprises. The final whistle confirmed the hosts' superiority.
The statistics told a story of dominance, with Vietnam holding 75% possession compared to Cambodia's 25%. The hosts registered 103 attacks and 5 shots on target, while the visitors managed only 65 attacks and 3 shots on target. Efficiency was key, as Vietnam converted their chances while the opposition struggled to create clear opportunities.
The victory extends Vietnam's strong run of form, following their recent results against regional opponents. The final scoreline reflects a performance where the hosts seized control and maintained it until the end. Cambodia will need to regroup, having conceded 3 goals in this encounter. The points gap will likely widen in the standings.