Vietnam team finishes fourth at the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026

  06/10/2026 12:21:22

Men Men's National team News

Vietnam entered the match without a full-strength squad, with several key players dealing with injuries or fatigue after a demanding run of club and international fixtures. The shortage of options made it harder for head coach Kim Sang-sik to manage personnel, particularly as the match reached its decisive stages.

Despite that, Vietnam showed determination and applied considerable pressure for much of the game. The experience will help the team continue to improve as it prepares for a major target: the AFC Asian Cup 2027, scheduled for January 2027.

Vietnam made a lively start. In the opening minutes, Hai Long unleashed a shot after a determined run, while Tiến Anh and Khoa Ngô repeatedly threatened down the flanks with their pace.

The tempo dipped after around 20 minutes. Vietnam enjoyed more possession, but imprecise passing and execution in the final third prevented them from turning that control into clear chances.

Vietnam continued to press for the remainder of the first half. In the 41st minute, Hoàng Đức played Hai Long through, and the forward was fouled just outside the box. Two minutes later, Tiến Anh laid the ball off for Hai Long, whose shot went straight at the Malaysian goalkeeper.

Vietnam pushed forward more assertively after the break. In the 48th minute, Hoàng Đức battled past as many as five Malaysian players, but his final pass failed to find a teammate. Four minutes later, Khoa Ngô weaved into the box but couldn’t finish the move accurately. Soon after, Minh Hoàng fired left-footed following Hai Long’s effort, but his shot went wide.

Malaysia nearly took the lead in the 60th minute when Bergson’s shot narrowly missed the post. Two minutes later, Vietnam’s fears were realised: Fertgus controlled the ball outside the box and struck decisively past Le Giang Patrik to put Malaysia 1–0 ahead.

With nothing to lose, Vietnam immediately stepped up the pressure. Đình Bắc came on for Minh Hoàng, followed later by Văn Đô. In the 73rd minute, Vietnam appeared to have a golden opportunity when Haiqal fouled Văn Đô in the box and the referee awarded a penalty. After reviewing the incident on VAR, however, the decision was overturned.

Vietnam’s pressure intensified as the match wore on. VAR was consulted again in the 82nd minute over a possible handball by a Malaysian player, but the referee ruled that no penalty should be awarded.

In the closing minutes, Kim Sang Sik’s players kept pushing for an equaliser. Việt Anh unleashed a powerful shot in the 90th minute, but it went straight at the Malaysian goalkeeper. In the 90+3rd minute, Thành Long had a chance to shoot, but his effort sailed over the crossbar.

Vietnam continued to attack in stoppage time but could not find a goal. After more than 100 minutes of play, Kim Sang Sik’s side fell 1–0 to Malaysia and finished fourth at the 2026 FIFA ASEAN Cup.

The result will leave plenty of regrets, but the tournament also gave Vietnam valuable match experience as they prepare for the challenges ahead, starting with the AFC Asian Cup finals next January.