Do Hoang Hen explodes with a brace, opening new hope for Vietnam's national team attack

The 7-0 win against Timor Leste in the Group B opener of the 2026 ASEAN Cup highlighted several positives for Vietnam.

Vietnam's attack had an explosive match with the balanced brilliance of the trio Dinh Bac, Hoang Hen, and Xuan Son. Dinh Bac scored a hat-trick and assisted Quang Hai for a goal, while Hoang Hen contributed two goals thanks to his positioning and efficient finishing. Xuan Son only scored one goal but was still a key link with his hold-up play, drawing defenders and creating space for teammates. The understanding in movement, combination, and position swapping of the three created diverse attacking power, helping Vietnam continuously penetrate Timor Leste's defense.

On a day when the attack shone, Do Hoang Hen became the most prominent name by scoring a brace, including the opening goal, making a significant contribution to helping coach Kim Sang-sik's team have the most impressive start possible.

Against a weaker opponent, Vietnam quickly imposed their game with superior ball control and constantly applied pressure on Timor Leste's goal. Among many outstanding performers, Hoang Hen impressed with his energy, intelligent positioning, and decisive actions in the penalty area.

Hoang Hen's two goals not only reflected his striker's instinct but also showed the confidence of a player in top form. In both situations, he appeared at the right moment to seize the opportunity, executing clean and precise finishes. Those are qualities any coach would want in an attacking player.

Not only scoring, Hoang Hen also actively participated in the overall play. He frequently moved wide to stretch the opponent's defense, creating space for teammates to make runs from the second line. His one-touch combinations, pressing immediately after losing the ball, and tireless work ethic made him a key link in Vietnam's attacking system.

Notably, Hoang Hen maintained his concentration even though the team had built a big lead early on. Instead of becoming complacent, he continued to work hard, moving, contesting, and seeking more opportunities for himself and his teammates. That professional attitude helped Vietnam maintain a high intensity throughout the 90 minutes and close the match with a resounding 7-0 victory.

The performance against Timor Leste was also a strong statement from Hoang Hen in the competition for a spot in the attack. The ASEAN Cup is a tournament with a packed schedule, requiring coach Kim Sang-sik to rotate his squad wisely.

Of course, it must be objectively acknowledged that Timor Leste is not a strong enough opponent to fully test the capabilities of Vietnam's attack. Bigger challenges will come when the team faces direct competitors in the race for the top spot in the group and later in the semifinals. However, for an attacking player, the most important thing is to know how to score when opportunities arise, and Hoang Hen has done that excellently.

If he continues to maintain his form, confidence, and efficiency in finishing, Hoang Hen promises to be a great hope for Vietnam on their journey to conquer the highest goal at the 2026 ASEAN Cup.