Kuala Lumpur, 6 June, 2025 – On the evening of June 6 (local time), the Vietnam national football team held their first training session in Malaysia as they gear up for a crucial clash against the Malaysian national team in the next match of Group F in the final round of qualifiers for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.
Shortly after settling into their accommodations and taking some time to rest and recover from travel fatigue, the squad traveled approximately 17 kilometers from the hotel to the designated training ground. The session was conducted in a spirited atmosphere, with a moderate training load aimed at helping players adjust to the new time zone and weather conditions. Head coach Kim Sang Sik placed a strong emphasis on tactical drills, focusing on enhancing team cohesion and refining their overall playing structure as they work towards securing a favorable result against the home side, Malaysia.
The players all demonstrated high levels of energy and determination throughout the training. The coaching staff maintained a relaxed and supportive environment, aiming to ease any pressure ahead of what is considered a decisive match that could play a major role in determining Vietnam’s chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals in 2027.
Speaking before the training session, midfielder Nguyen Hai Long—who recently featured in the ASEAN All Stars team that played a friendly against Manchester United at Bukit Jalil Stadium—shared the team’s current mindset. “I appreciate the positive feedback I received after the match against Manchester United. However, I’m not letting that make me think too far ahead. I know my position and focus. Right now, my personal goal and the team’s goal is the match against Malaysia. It’s a pivotal and extremely important match. We’re all concentrated on achieving the best possible outcome.”
Reflecting on the experience of playing at Bukit Jalil Stadium, Hai Long added, “As a professional footballer, every stadium is the same to me. What matters most is maintaining complete focus, contributing to the team’s gameplay, and doing everything to help us win.”
Regarding the conditions in Malaysia, Hai Long said, “Everything has been great since we arrived. The team is excited and motivated to begin preparations. Although the journey here was long and exhausting, everyone is now ready and eager to train.”
As the match approaches, the coaching staff has also been paying close attention to the changes in Malaysia’s squad, particularly the inclusion of naturalized players. Nevertheless, Hai Long emphasized, “We respect our opponents, but what matters more is Vietnam’s preparation and determination. Our goal is to maintain our unbeaten streak against Malaysia. Playing away is never easy, but we’re fully focused and committed to bringing home all three points.”
The Vietnam national team still has three more days to fine-tune their tactics and build momentum before taking on Malaysia at 8:00 PM (Vietnam time) on June 10.
Kim Chi
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