ASEAN Cup 2026: Vietnam Dash Harimau Malaya's Hopes Of Reaching The Final

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 19 (Bernama) -- Malaysia’s dream of advancing to the final of the 2026 ASEAN Cup ended after a 0-2 defeat to Vietnam in the second leg of the semi-final at the My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi, Vietnam, tonight.

The result saw the Harimau Malaya squad eliminated on a 0-4 aggregate after Vietnam had earlier secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg of the semi-final at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras last Sunday.

Malaysia came down with a mission to chase a big win to revive their chances of reaching the final, attempting to appear more aggressive from the start of the match, but Vietnam managed to control the match tempo and thwart the national squad's efforts until the end of the first half.

Entering the second half, the host country then broke the deadlock to lead 1-0 through striker Nguyen Xuan Son in the 62nd minute, thus putting Malaysia in a difficult position to chase a three-goal deficit on aggregate.

Harimau Malaya continued trying to find an equaliser, but bluntness in the attacking department alongside a well-organised Vietnamese defence made it difficult for interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe's charges to produce a goal.

Xuan Son then completed his brilliant night by scoring the second goal in the 89th minute to confirm Vietnam's 2-0 victory, thereby closing Malaysia's chances of reaching the final stage.

The defeat ends Malaysia's campaign in the tournament, while Vietnam advances to the final to continue their effort to defend the championship.

-- BERNAMA