The Vietnam national football team achieved a 2-0 victory against Malaysia in an away match, positioning themselves favorably for the final of the ASEAN Modern Cup 2026, often referred to as the 'Southeast Asian World Cup.' Under Coach Kim Sang-sik, the team extended their unbeaten streak to 23 matches, but Kim expressed dissatisfaction with the team's performance.
On August 17, local media reported that Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the first leg of the ASEAN Modern Cup 2026 semifinals held in Kuala Lumpur. Nguyen Suan Son scored the opening goal in stoppage time of the first half, followed by an own goal from Malaysian defender Paris Danis in the second half, securing a two-goal lead on the road.
Vietnam will face Malaysia again on August 19 at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi for the second leg of the semifinals. With a two-goal advantage from the first leg, they are in a strong position to advance to the final. If they progress, they will host the second leg of the final at home, which is another favorable factor for Vietnam.
Two Achievements: Away Goals and 23-Match Unbeaten Streak
Despite struggling to create scoring opportunities throughout the first half, Vietnam managed to break the deadlock just before halftime. Nguyen Suan Son headed in a cross from Truong Tien Anh, shaking the Malaysian net.
In the closing moments of the second half, an additional goal was scored when Malaysian defender Paris Danis inadvertently sent the ball into his own net while attempting to block a pass from Nguyen Quang Hai, giving Vietnam a 2-0 lead. Vietnam held on to their lead without conceding, securing a valuable away victory.
This win marks Vietnam's 23rd consecutive match without defeat (20 wins, 3 draws) under Coach Kim, the longest unbeaten streak in the history of the Vietnam national football team. They have not lost since a 1-1 draw with India in October 2024.
In the 2024 ASEAN Cup, Vietnam claimed the title by winning both legs of the final against Thailand and is now seeking to defend their championship in this tournament.
Coach Kim Sang-sik: 'We won, but need to improve our performance'
However, Coach Kim provided a measured assessment following the match. In a press conference, he acknowledged that while Vietnam achieved victory and kept a clean sheet, they failed to fully implement the tactical movements they had prepared.
The repeated interruptions due to VAR reviews and referee decisions also disrupted the flow of the game. Kim noted that Vietnam struggled to maintain control of the match due to ineffective pressing and attacking transitions.
Malaysia's coach Tan Cheng Hoe has promised a strong response in the second leg. He recognized Vietnam's quick counterattacks and finishing ability but emphasized that losing one match does not conclude the overall contest, vowing to turn the tide.
With Malaysia likely to adopt an aggressive approach from the outset, preventing early goals and maintaining control of the match will be crucial for Vietnam's chances of advancing to the final.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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