Vietnam's national football team achieved a remarkable comeback victory over Pakistan, winning 4-2 in their final group match of the ASEAN Cup 2026 held on October 2, 2026, at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta, Indonesia. Coach Kim Sang-sik expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly in the second half, despite facing challenges due to the hot weather.

During a post-match press conference, Coach Kim noted that the extreme heat affected the players' concentration, leading to an early goal conceded. "The weather today was very hot, which impacted our players' focus at the start of the match. That is why we conceded first," he explained.

Vietnam entered the match with a FIFA ranking advantage over Pakistan, sitting at 99th compared to Pakistan's 198th. However, the first half was one of the team's poorest performances in two years under Coach Kim, with players struggling to connect effectively on the field.

In the first half, a miscommunication led to Pakistan's opening goal in the 31st minute when Mohib Ullah capitalized on a defensive error. However, the tide turned in the second half as Coach Kim made strategic substitutions that revitalized the team.

Vietnam equalized in the 50th minute when Nguyen Hai Long broke through the defense and scored. Just seven minutes later, Hoang Duc scored again, giving Vietnam a 2-1 lead. Nguyen Dinh Bac, who made a significant impact after being substituted in, scored the third goal in the 80th minute, showcasing his skills with a perfect volley.

Pakistan managed to pull one back in the 88th minute through a fortunate deflection, but Vietnam sealed the victory with a fourth goal in stoppage time, scored by Williams Minh Hoang.

Despite the win, Coach Kim expressed concern over potential injuries, particularly to defender Bui Hoang Viet Anh, who suffered a thigh strain during the match. Vietnam finished the group stage with six points and will face Malaysia in the third-place playoff on October 5, 2026. The coach emphasized the importance of treating the upcoming match with the seriousness of a final, as the team prepares for the challenges ahead.