Kuala Lumpur, 10 June, 2025 – Vietnam endured a bitter 0-4 loss to Malaysia on the evening of June 10 in a crucial Group F clash of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers. Despite holding firm in the first half, coach Kim Sang Sik’s men could not withstand the home side’s relentless pressure in the second half at Bukit Jalil Stadium.
Malaysia started the match with high intensity, applying aggressive high pressing and launching dangerous aerial balls into Vietnam’s box. The Vietnamese defense, under constant pressure, managed to hold the line in the first 45 minutes thanks to a brilliant performance from goalkeeper Filip Nguyen and a disciplined backline. The woodwork came to Vietnam’s rescue once, deflecting a powerful strike from Dion Cools, while Jon Irazabal and Arif Aiman were both denied by Filip’s spectacular saves.
However, the second half told a different story. Malaysia capitalized on Vietnam’s defensive lapses and growing fatigue. In the 49th minute, João Figueiredo broke the deadlock following a costly turnover in midfield. Just ten minutes later, Rodrigo Holgado doubled the lead with a clinical finish inside the box. The momentum continued in Malaysia’s favor as La’Vere Corbin-Ong made it 3-0 in the 67th minute, and Dion Cools completed the rout with a headed goal in the 88th minute.
Vietnam had a few moments of attacking threat through Tuan Hai, Quang Hai, and Tien Linh, but none were able to breach the Malaysian defense. The match served as a wake-up call for the Vietnamese side, especially against a Malaysian squad boosted by a core of high-quality naturalized players.
With this result, Malaysia leapfrogged Vietnam to claim top spot in Group F, putting Vietnam in a challenging position for the remainder of the qualification campaign. The heavy defeat highlights the urgent need for tactical adjustments and better cohesion if Vietnam is to revive its chances of qualifying for the Asian Cup finals in 2027.
Dang Long
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