Vietnam Team: Must Be Even Cooler in the Semifinals

Vietnam's ASEAN Cup 2026 group stage showed two faces: a cold, efficient approach like against Indonesia, and a complete deadlock like against Singapore. In the semifinals, when clear opportunities will be fewer, the ability to finish becomes the deciding factor.

1. It is easy to see Vietnam's proactive approach in the group stage. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team fired 74 shots in four matches, the highest among all 10 teams in the 2026 ASEAN Cup. On average, Vietnam had 18.5 attempts per game.

This is a key indicator of their match control ability. Vietnam not only kept the ball to manage time but also knew how to bring it into dangerous areas. The 3-0 win over Indonesia was the clearest proof. Against a rival with a long history, Vietnam maintained control. Hoang Duc and his teammates managed space well, and their transitions were executed at high speed.

The 13 goals in four matches accurately reflect Vietnam's attacking power. However, comparing this to 74 shots reveals another issue: Vietnam's conversion rate is 17.57%. For comparison, Cambodia's is 21.43%, Myanmar's 20.69%. Among the four semifinalists, Thailand has the best rate at 19.23%. Vietnam trails the Golden Temple side despite having far more shots.

Of course, these numbers alone don't prove Vietnam is wasteful. Opponent quality, match dynamics, and game plans all affect statistics. But one thing is certain: Vietnam is creating better chances than it can convert. This hasn't caused serious damage in the group stage, but the semifinals are a different story.

2. Knockout rounds are always tougher than the group stage. Opponents are stronger, more cautious, and space on the pitch is tighter. A team can dominate most of the game but still be eliminated by a single moment.

That is exactly what Vietnam must watch out for against Malaysia, a team likely to play defensive counter-attacks given their personnel difficulties. But they are not a side that only sits deep. They can apply pressure and create chances. If Vietnam keeps missing while on top, the opponent could exploit a counter or set piece to change the outcome.

Therefore, the requirement for Vietnam's attack in the semifinals is to turn existing chances into goals. This is where decisiveness becomes crucial. Actions inside the box cannot be delayed. One-on-one situations must be resolved faster. Favorable shots must be taken with full confidence.

Vietnam also needs to better utilize chance creation from multiple lines. Hoang Duc, Quang Hai, and other midfielders capable of making runs into the box can make a difference when Malaysia focuses on blocking the strikers. Another key point is transitions. The more Malaysia pushes forward, the bigger the space behind their defense. At that moment, the speed of ball movement must be high enough to create quality chances rather than just maintaining pressure without surprise. Vietnam has proven its ability to control games and generate a large number of opportunities. Now it is time to upgrade the remaining part: coldness in decisive moments. If they continue to create 15-20 shots per game, that is a huge advantage. But that advantage means nothing unless they turn the best chances into goals.