The win came courtesy of a 25th-minute strike by Nguyen Dinh Bac, giving head coach Kim Sang-sik's side all three points ahead of a clash with Thailand on September 29.

Vietnam started on the front foot, though the Philippines showed early confidence by pressing down the right flank while the Vietnamese defense worked to neutralize the pressure. In the 6th minute, Hoang Hen delivered a precise cross for Dinh Bac to break into the box, but the Filipino defense intervened in time.

Le Pham Thanh Long tested the visitor's goal with a long-range effort in the 16th minute, easily gathered by goalkeeper Mendoza.

The Philippines soon created a dangerous opportunity when Schneider fired from outside the box in the 22nd minute, beating goalkeeper Le Giang only to see his shot rattle the crossbar.

Vietnam responded swiftly. In the 25th minute, Minh Hoang picked up the ball inside the area and drove a low cross. A deflection off a Filipino defender left the ball right in the path of Dinh Bac, and the CAHN forward finished cleanly to break the deadlock. Following the opener, the Philippines pushed higher up the pitch, but Kim’s squad maintained a resilient defensive block to preserve their lead into halftime.

After the restart, the Philippines dominated possession in search of an equalizer. In the 54th minute, Gayoso found space inside the box, but Le Giang produced a stunning reflex save after Bui Hoang Viet Anh slipped.

Vietnam sought to extend their lead when Dinh Bac made a surging run into the box in the 58th minute, though he failed to beat Mendoza. Two minutes later, Xuan Son was forced off with an injury, replaced by Hai Long.

Drama unfolded in the 75th minute when Khoa Ngo raced into the box and went down under a challenge from Nyholm. The referee initially brandished a red card to the Filipino defender, but overturned the decision and canceled the free-kick following a VAR review.

Tension continued in the 82nd minute when Nishioka bundled the ball home for the Philippines from close range, only for VAR to rule out the effort for offside. In the dying minutes, the Philippines threw bodies forward, and in stoppage time (90+2'), Rasmussen headed from close range, but Le Giang once again came to the rescue with a brilliant point-blank save.

Vietnam tightened their defense through the final whistle to cling to the slender lead. The triumph gives Vietnam a winning start in the tournament, thanks to Dinh Bac’s decisive strike and a stellar performance from goalkeeper Le Giang, whose crucial second-half saves preserved the clean sheet.

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