Playing with a man advantage, Thailand dominated Laos in their opening match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup.

Defending runners-up Thailand defeated Laos 5-0 while playing with a numerical advantage for most of the match in their Group B opener of the 2026 ASEAN Cup, thus securing a favorable start on their journey to the championship.

The Thai national team began their campaign in Group B of the 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup with an easy 5-0 victory over a 10-man Laos side. Midfielder Kakana Khamyok scored a brace to help coach Anthony Hudson's team secure all three points in Vientiane on the evening of July 25.

Teerasak Poiephimai opened the scoring for Thailand in the 11th minute, before Kakana doubled the lead in the 27th minute.

Phetdavanh Somsanid's red card in the 43rd minute extinguished any hope of a comeback for Laos. In the second half, Yotsakorn Burapha, captain Sarach Yooyen, and Kakana added further goals, sealing a dominant victory for the seven-time tournament champions.

From the opening minutes, Yotsakorn and Kakana constantly pressured the home side's defense. In the 11th minute, Sarach delivered a favorable cross from the left flank, allowing Teerasak to leap high and head the ball into the net to open the scoring.

Four minutes later, Manuel Bihr came close to doubling the lead, but his shot narrowly missed the target. At the other end, Chony Wenpaserth sent the ball over the crossbar during one of Laos' rare attacking opportunities.

Thailand's sustained pressure paid off in the 27th minute when Vladica Grujić's team lost possession in their own half. Sarach immediately played a through ball for Kakana to run onto and finish, making it 2-0.

Rookie Chaiyaphon Otton sent a free kick over the crossbar in the 41st minute. Two minutes later, Phetdavanh was sent off for pulling down Yotsakorn, who had used his pace to beat the Laos defender and was heading straight for goal from 25 meters out.

Just four minutes into the second half, Yotsakorn scored his first goal, firing home from a delicate through ball by Seksan Ratree into the roof of the net.

Three minutes later, Sarach made it 4-0 after Kakana pulled the ball back to the edge of the box.

In the 59th minute, Teerasak set up Kakana for a close-range tap-in to score the fifth goal, following a combination that sliced through the Laos defense.

In the closing stages, Chawanit Sealao almost added a sixth goal for Thailand, but his shot went wide in a one-on-one situation in the 87th minute.

Thailand's 5-0 win over Laos moved them to the top of Group B after the first round. In their next match, Anthony Hudson's side will host Malaysia at the Rajamangala Stadium on the evening of August 1.