The Vietnam national football team wrapped up their training camp in South Korea with a 2-1 friendly win against Gangwon FC on July 13. This match was the final test for the team before they head to the ASEAN Cup 2026, showcasing their readiness and skill against a higher-level opponent.

Gangwon FC, currently competing in the K-League 1, recently drew with league leaders FC Seoul, making them a formidable challenge for Vietnam. Coach Kim Sang-sik fielded a strong lineup featuring key players such as Quang Hải, Hoàng Đức, and Brazilian nationals Xuân Son, Tài Lộc, and Hoàng Hên. In contrast, Gangwon FC did not deploy their strongest squad for this friendly.

Vietnam started the match aggressively, creating several scoring opportunities. However, they faced an early setback when they conceded a penalty in the 14th minute due to a defensive error. Despite this, the team responded quickly. After Quang Hải hit the crossbar, Tài Lộc assisted Xuân Son, who scored to equalize in the 28th minute.

Throughout the match, Coach Kim made strategic adjustments, keeping the same squad until the 60th minute. His decisions paid off, as Nguyễn Ngọc Mỹ made a beautiful shot in the 62nd minute, forcing the Gangwon FC goalkeeper into a difficult save. Shortly after, Phạm Gia Hưng scored the winning goal, sealing the match at 2-1.

With this victory, the coaching staff has gained valuable insights into the players' performance ahead of the ASEAN Cup. The team will return to Hanoi before traveling to Thái Nguyên for a final friendly against Myanmar on July 18. This match will serve as the last rehearsal before the ASEAN Cup 2026, which runs from July 24 to August 26. Vietnam, the defending champions, will compete in Group A alongside Indonesia, Cambodia, Singapore, and Timor Leste.

In their opening match on July 24, Vietnam will face Timor Leste, who have chosen Chonburi, Thailand, as their home ground due to a lack of suitable facilities.