Thailand Cruise in Vientiane as Josué Comeback Tames Myanmar
YANGON, Myanmar /BANGKOK, Thailand - The heavyweights of Group B have immediately set the standard for the ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup™ 2026. Both Thailand and Malaysia navigated tricky away matches on Saturday night to secure crucial opening wins. While the War Elephants flexed their attacking depth with a commanding 5–0 demolition of a 10-man Laos side, Harimau Malaya relied on pure grit and late-game resilience under interim manager Tan Cheng Hoe to stage a dramatic 2–1 comeback victory over Myanmar in Yangon.
Anthony Hudson’s Thai squad kicked off their quest for an eighth regional title with an absolute masterclass in offensive efficiency in Vientiane. Striker Teerasak Poeiphimai got the visitors rolling in the 11th minute, soaring high to nod home a pinpoint cross delivered by captain Sarach Yooyen. Rising talent Kakana Khamyok turned the match into his personal highlight reel. He doubled the advantage in the 27th minute before scoring again in the 59th to cap off a brilliant individual brace. Laotian hopes were entirely extinguished in the 43rd minute when defender Phetdavanh Somsanid received a straight red card for hauling down Yotsakon Burapha. Second-half tallies from Yotsakon (49') and Sarach Yooyen (52') completed the rout, putting Thailand firmly atop the Group B standings on goal difference.
Over at the Thuwunna Stadium, Malaysia faced a much more hostile, high-wire act. Heavily disrupted by squad release constraints, Harimau Malaya found themselves trailing early when Myanmar's Myat Kaung Khant lifted a neat 10th-minute finish over Azri Ghani. However, the half-time adjustments by Tan Cheng Hoe completely flipped the momentum. In minute 552nd, Endrick whipped a corner to the far post where Mohamadou Sumareh headed it across the six-yard box, allowing naturalized veteran Paulo Josué to swivel and slam home the equalizer. Sumareh's relentless presence inside the area drew a clumsy foul from Myanmar captain Nanda Kyaw. Stepping up to the penalty spot with absolute coolness, Paulo Josué sent the keeper the wrong way to complete a lightning-fast five-minute turnaround in minute 57th. Malaysia's makeshift backline held firm under intense late pressure to claim a vital three points on foreign soil.
The Group B action accelerates rapidly on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Malaysia returns to the Kuala Lumpur Stadium to host a wounded Laos side, while the Philippines will officially kick off their tournament campaign by welcoming group leaders Thailand to Capas.