FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 live schedule: Vietnam face Pakistan in the race for second place in Group B

In the final group-stage match of Group B at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026, Vietnam will face Pakistan. The table looks comfortable: Thailand top with 6 points, Vietnam second with 3 points, and Pakistan bottom with 1 point. But this is not a dead rubber. Vietnam's goal difference is minus one, and the real story of this match lies in that number. Vietnam enter the final round with 3 points after one win over the Philippines and one defeat to Thailand. A goal difference of -1 shows that the attack has not yet created enough margin for safety. Pakistan, with only 1 point, have almost no control over their own fate. Yet a team with nothing to lose is always the most dangerous opponent for a team afraid of losing everything. The question of one point being enough depends on the tournament rules. In many competitions, if two teams are level on points, head-to-head results are decisive. Vietnam beat the Philippines, so if both finish on 4 points, Vietnam stay above. In that scenario, a draw with Pakistan is almost enough to keep second place. But if the tournament uses goal difference first, Vietnam could drop to third if the Philippines beat Thailand by a large margin. Therefore, the instruction to win convincingly is not about style; it is about protecting the goal difference. Coach Kim Sang Sik is facing an important decision. The defeat to Thailand has fuelled a debate about whether he used a B or C squad. A section of fans believe the team did not field the strongest eleven in a direct competitive match. Others argue that rotation was necessary to save energy for Pakistan. No matter which side is right, this debate shows public pressure is mounting on the South Korean coach. In my view, fielding the strongest team against Pakistan is almost compulsory. A convincing win would solve three problems at once: protect goal difference, calm public opinion, and build momentum ahead of the third-place match. If the coach rotates again and the team plays poorly, all rotation theories will collapse. There is also a contrarian angle. The debate about the B or C squad may hide a more serious commercial issue. According to FIFA, the champions' prize has dropped from 1,000,000 USD to 650,000 USD, a 35 percent cut, because television rights are hard to sell at a high price. If FIFA itself cannot sell the broadcasting rights well, then top teams not sending their strongest squads is an economic response, not a bad habit. The match against Pakistan should be treated as an early final. A big win will help Vietnam advance with the mentality of a strong side. A draw may still bring a ticket, but that ticket will be clouded by doubt. A defeat would be a mental disaster. Therefore, Vietnam should play as if the match lasts only 90 minutes and there is no game behind to fix mistakes. Vietnam clearly have advantages in quality and squad depth. But football does not respect theory. Pakistan also have fast players, desire, and no pressure because they have nothing to lose. Coach Kim Sang Sik needs a concrete tactical plan and a Plan B in case the match becomes more difficult than expected. The real story of this match is not only the starting eleven. It is how Vietnam handle the pressure of expectation. A mature team will beat a weaker opponent professionally and immediately turn attention to the next task. That maturity is what I want to see first. Win convincingly, protect the goal difference, and answer every doubt on the pitch.