Heading into the final round, Vietnam were topping Group B with three points, two ahead of Cambodia. Coach Kim Sang-sik’s side only needed to avoid defeat to secure first place and advance to the semifinals.

Vietnam made two changes to the starting lineup compared to the win over Laos three days prior. Midfielder Nguyen Xuan Bac replaced Nguyen Thai Son, while Viktor Le took the place of Nguyen Dinh Bac, who was slightly injured. Cambodia also made four changes in midfield and attack.

Before kickoff, both teams took a minute of silence to honor the victims of the Ha Long Bay tragedy on July 19, when a sudden storm capsized the Vinh Xanh 58 cruise ship, leaving 37 dead, two missing and only 10 survivors.

After the tribute, the match to decide the group winner began. Vietnam displayed superior skill and ball control, but struggled to break through Cambodia’s defense. The Cambodian players pressed aggressively and launched several promising counter-attacks that were only halted by Vietnam’s defenders at the last moment.

In the 35th minute, midfielder Khuat Van Khang took a corner from the right to the far post. This time, Pham Ly Duc was onside and jumped high to head the ball into the far corner, breaking the deadlock. He became the second center-back to score for Vietnam after Nguyen Hieu Minh, and it marked the team’s third goal from a set piece in the tournament.

The goal made Vietnam more relaxed, while Cambodia grew frustrated, earning two yellow cards in the final 10 minutes of the first half following fouls.

Vietnam lost focus early in the second half and nearly paid the price in the 47th minute. From a corner on the left, Lim Lucca crossed to the far post where Van Vi’s diving header went wide. The ball defeated goalkeeper Tran Trung Kien, but Vo Anh Quan was there to clear it off the line.

After the threat, Vietnam regained control and pressed harder. In the 50th minute, Xuan Bac’s header from a corner was denied by a great save from Reth Ly Heng. Six minutes later, Van Khang missed a header with the goalkeeper out of position.

Despite Vietnam’s dominance, Cambodia unexpectedly equalized in the 62nd minute, also from a corner. Lucca curled in a cross from the left, and substitute Mon Rado headed it in at the near post.

Coach Kim then made substitutions to improve Vietnam’s attacking power. Dinh Bac, Nguyen Thanh Dat, Dang Tuan Phong and Nguyen Cong Phuong came on for Viktor Le, Nguyen Phi Hoang, Ly Duc, and Xuan Bac. Vietnam kept pressing as Cambodia showed signs of fatigue.

By the 83rd minute, Cambodia could no longer apply pressure. From the left flank, Thanh Dat had time to read the situation and crossed into the box for Dinh Bac, who headed the ball into the bottom left corner to restore Vietnam’s lead.

Dinh Bac celebrated with Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic “siu”. He also became the first attacker to score for Vietnam in this year’s tournament.

Cambodia offered little resistance in the closing minutes. Vietnam held on for a 2-1 win and topped Group B with six points from two matches.

In the simultaneous Group C match, Thailand drew with Myanmar to secure first place. In the semifinals, Thailand will face host Indonesia, while Vietnam will meet Group A runners-up the Philippines. Both semifinals will be played at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on July 25.