Thailand U19 narrowly beat Malaysia U19 in a thrilling score chase, giving Vietnam U19 a sigh of relief

Thailand U19 claimed a thrilling 3-2 win against Malaysia U19 in the last group stage fixture of the 2026 ASEAN U19 Championship, not only advancing to the semifinals but also delivering positive news for Vietnam U19.

Thailand U19's dramatic win brings joy to Vietnam U19

The match was exciting from the very first minutes, with both sides exchanging attacks. Thailand U19 started more proactively but unexpectedly conceded a goal in the 14th minute. From a corner kick, Imran leaped high to head the ball into the net of the blue-shirted team, giving Malaysia U19 a 1-0 lead.

However, Malaysia's advantage lasted only a few minutes. In the 21st minute, Kongsri capitalized on a convenient cross from the left flank to score from close range, leveling the score at 1-1 for Thailand U19.

The final minutes of the first half witnessed a thrilling exchange of goals. In the 42nd minute, Ponsan fired a decisive shot to put Thailand ahead 2-1. But before the Thai players could fully enjoy their lead, Malaysia immediately responded. In the third minute of added time, Arsyad handled the ball skillfully inside the box before unleashing a beautiful outside-foot shot, equalizing 2-2 for the yellow-shirted team.

After the break, the match became much more intense. Both teams engaged in fierce battles and did not hesitate to commit fouls. Malaysia repeatedly threatened Thailand's goal, while the Land of Golden Pagoda side also created numerous dangerous opportunities.

The turning point came in the 79th minute. Thailand U19's number 7 player made a skillful dribble into the penalty area before being fouled by a Malaysian defender. From the penalty spot, Kongsri beat the opposing goalkeeper to complete his brace, making the score 3-2.

The remaining minutes were extremely tense. The two teams even clashed near the end of the match after a rough play by a Thai player. Nevertheless, the blue-shirted team managed to hold onto their slim advantage to secure a final 3-2 victory.

This result significantly impacted the group situation. With their second consecutive defeat, Malaysia U19 officially lost all chances of competing for a semifinal spot. The team can no longer catch up with the teams above them and became the first to bid farewell to the race.

Meanwhile, Vietnam U19 can breathe a temporary sigh of relief. Malaysia's loss makes the competition for advancing more favorable for us. Although positive results are still needed in the final round of Group C, Vietnam U19 continues to hold hope of progressing as one of the best second-placed teams.