Vietnam 4-0 Myanmar: Kim Sang-sik’s new-look attack delivers
Match Report
Vietnam beat Myanmar 4-0 on Saturday, 18 July 2026 at Thai Nguyen Stadium, sharpening preparations for the ASEAN Championship qualifiers. Rafaelson scored in the 5th minute, a quick confirmation that the aggressive start Kim Sang-sik demanded was in place. Myanmar never recovered from that first shock.
The pressure stayed high. Vietnam forced two Myanmar bookings in the 29th minute and kept the visitors pinned back. Pham Xuan Manh doubled the advantage in the 39th minute, giving the hosts a comfortable cushion before half-time.
Hêndrio (registered domestically as Hen Do Hoang) struck in the 59th minute to make it three, finishing a move built through Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Hoang Duc’s control in midfield. Nguyen Dinh Bac converted a penalty in the 90th minute, and Myanmar’s discipline finally snapped as the visitors collected both a yellow card and a red card in the first minute of stoppage time.
Tactical Insight
Vietnam listed no official formation, yet Kim Sang-sik again relied on the familiar back four of Pham Xuan Manh, Nguyen Nhat Minh, Nguyen Thanh Chung and Doan Van Hau in front of goalkeeper Le Giang. Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai dictated from the centre, while the naturalised pair of Rafaelson and Hêndrio rotated with Nguyen Tai Loc across the front line. The goals shared by Rafaelson, Pham Xuan Manh and Hêndrio showed that interchange is improving quickly.
Myanmar lined up in a 4-2-3-1 under Michael Feichtenbeiner with Naing San Sat in goal and the double pivot of Kyaw Min Oo and Aung Lwin Moe attempting to close space. They struggled to get Maung Maung Lwin or Khant Myat Kaung into the game before an aggressive half-hour period ended with those twin 29th-minute cautions, disrupting any rhythm. The lone striker Than Paing was isolated, rarely seeing the ball in advanced areas.
Discipline
- Myanmar: yellow cards in the 29th minute (two separate incidents), 44th minute, and 90+1’.
- Vietnam: yellow card in the 45th minute.
- Myanmar: red card at 90+1’.
Key Events
- 5th minute: Rafaelson scored for Vietnam.
- 39th minute: Pham Xuan Manh scored for Vietnam.
- 59th minute: Hêndrio (Hen Do Hoang) scored for Vietnam.
- 90th minute: Nguyen Dinh Bac scored a penalty for Vietnam.
- 90+1’: red card and additional yellow card shown to Myanmar.
Looking Ahead
Vietnam can bank on this structure heading into their final camp sessions later this month, while Myanmar must reset quickly before their next friendly window. Attention across the region now shifts to the other international warm-ups, including previews for Sabah FA vs KuPS and Ararat-Armenia vs Shamrock Rovers, as ASEAN contenders refine their summer plans.
