Singapore hold heavyweights Vietnam to a draw at ASEAN football championship
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- Singapore drew 0-0 with Vietnam at My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on July 31, remaining unbeaten with seven points from three matches and sitting atop Group A in the ASEAN football championship.
- Vietnam, ranked 99th by FIFA compared to Singapore's 148th, dominated the first half with 13 attempts on goal to Singapore's two but failed to convert, with defender Nguyen Thanh Chung missing a free header in the 26th minute and Nguyen Hoang Duc shooting over shortly after.
- Vietnam have not lost a competitive fixture since September 2024 and came closest to breaking the deadlock late when substitute Nguyen Tai Loc smashed a shot against the crossbar in the closing minutes.
- Singapore had their best chance in the 77th minute through a well-worked set-piece that found Jacob Mahler free at the back post, but his shot was pushed away by goalkeeper Patrik Le Giang before Shawal Anuar headed over with the goal gaping.
- Indonesia beat Timor Leste 3-0 in the day's earlier Group A match to move to six points, setting up a decisive final round where Singapore host Indonesia at Jalan Besar Stadium on Friday while Vietnam face Cambodia.
- Vietnam play Indonesia on Monday (Aug 3) in a match that will determine Group A's final standings ahead of the last round of group fixtures.
Why it matters: Singapore, sitting 49 FIFA ranking spots below Vietnam, have positioned themselves as unlikely Group A leaders and remain on course to qualify for the ASEAN championship knockout stage. The result extends Vietnam's winless run in this tournament despite their unbeaten streak since September 2024, while the final group match between Singapore and Indonesia at Jalan Besar Stadium now becomes the decisive clash for top spot.
