In a recent article by expert Bee Bangpakong on Thairath, the focus is on Vietnam's clear strategy regarding the naturalization of foreign players, which has led to significant achievements, including back-to-back ASEAN Cup titles. The ASEAN Cup 2026 has concluded, and a fair assessment shows that both Thailand and Vietnam have met their respective goals. For Vietnam, this tournament marked another clear success as they defended their ASEAN Cup title for the first time in history, bringing their total wins in the regional tournament to four, following victories in 2008, 2018, and 2024.

Vietnam secured the championship trophy after a 2-2 draw against Thailand in the return leg of the ASEAN Cup 2026 final held at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on August 26. This achievement underscores Vietnam's decision to temporarily halt their national league to focus on their national team, which has proven to be a strategic investment. The Vietnamese Football Federation has embraced a shift from a previously strict nationalist policy to a more pragmatic approach, allowing the naturalization of foreign players, particularly Brazilians. This strategy has significantly strengthened the Vietnamese team.

Despite differing opinions, the clear strategy of the Vietnamese Football Federation is commendable. They have identified weaknesses in the team regarding physicality and individual skills and proactively sought solutions. The naturalization laws in Vietnam are more accommodating than those in Thailand, making the process easier. If a strategy leads to tangible success for the nation, it is understandable why it would be chosen.

On the other hand, the Thai national team has been pursuing a policy of 'reaching beyond ASEAN.' This time, they fielded a predominantly 'B team' in the tournament. Evaluating their initial goals, this can also be seen as a success. Coach Anthony Hudson faced significant pressure but managed to guide a mixed Thai squad to the finals. While some performances disappointed fans, the overall results did not harm the team. Importantly, many young players emerged, showing potential as future key contributors to the national squad.

In the final, all Thai players displayed great enthusiasm, managing to draw with Vietnam 2-2 away from home and coming close to victory. Therefore, if assessed according to their assigned tasks, Coach Hudson has performed well. Now, attention turns to the upcoming tournament, the 'FIFA ASEAN Cup' in Indonesia, which is less than a month away. The Thai Football Federation has made it clear that the team must strive and commit to the highest standards in this tournament, as it falls within FIFA Days. This means that there should be no significant issues in calling players up, as clubs are obligated to release them according to FIFA regulations.

This presents an ideal opportunity for Thailand to address their past shortcomings and dispel doubts about Vietnam's capabilities. The question remains: with their strongest lineup, can the Thai team truly defeat Vietnam and their naturalized Brazilian players? This is what needs to be tested. In the recent ASEAN Cup, Thailand opted for a different path, giving opportunities to many young players, while Vietnam mobilized their strongest forces and even paused their national league to prepare. The FIFA ASEAN Cup will provide a completely different context. However, concerns about player call-ups linger, despite FIFA's clear regulations. When the national team roster is announced, some major clubs often provide numerous last-minute excuses for players to withdraw, a situation we have frequently witnessed recently. In Thai football today, major clubs often wield more power than the national team, as has been seen repeatedly.

Bee Bangpakong is a long-time sports columnist for Thailand's Thairath Online, specializing in national team football analysis and the Thai League. Thairath is the largest daily newspaper in Thailand, previously publishing over one million copies daily and achieving a 46% online reach among Thai internet users weekly.