The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has lauded the Vietnamese national football team following their 2-0 victory against Thailand in the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup final on August 22nd. The AFC highlighted Vietnam’s strong performance and noted the significant advantage they now possess heading into the return leg. This win places Vietnam in a favorable position to potentially secure the championship title. Details of the specific praise from the AFC weren't immediately available, but the organization clearly acknowledged Vietnam’s dominance in the match. The result marks a positive step for Vietnamese football on the regional stage. The return match is anticipated to be a fiercely contested battle as Thailand seeks to overturn the deficit.