AFC ASIAN CUP Qualifiers – Group F: Vietnam 3-1 Malaysia

Three headers secured Kim Sang-sik’s side a comfortable win as they can start looking forward to a third successive appearance at the continental showpiece in January.

Vietnam didn’t have to wait long to go in front, Duy Manh escaped Stuart Wilkin’s marking in the sixth minute to head Truong Tien Anh’s corner delivery past a helpless Ahmad Syihan Hazmi.

Malaysia looked to fight back with Faisal Halim sent through on goal, with the forward chipping the ball over the advancing Nguyen Filip but just missing the gaping goalmouth before the Vietnam custodian got down low to save Wilkin’s shot.

The evenly fought contest saw the home side getting close to a second in the 32nd minute when Nguyen Hoang Duc found space 25 yards out but his rising shot found the crossbar instead of the net.

The second half saw Malaysia presented with the first opening through a set-piece in the 50th minute, Faisal’s corner delivery found Harith Haiqal whose header had to be tipped over by Filip.

A minute later, Vietnam doubled their advantage when Do Hang Hen’s pinpoint cross was met by a Xuan Son header which beat Ahmad Syihan at his near post.

Xuan Son’s aerial prowess was on show again in the 59th minute, climbing highest to thump home Tien Anh’s cross from the right.