Malaysian media worried before ASEAN Cup semifinal: Vietnam national team becomes a huge challenge

Malaysian media paid special attention to the Vietnam national team right after Malaysia qualified for the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals. As the defending champions, group winners, and with memories of the 1-3 defeat in March, Malaysian media view coach Kim Sang Sik's team as a huge challenge on the road to the final.

Malaysia national team achieved their goal of reaching the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinals after a 1-0 win over the Philippines in the final match of Group B. However, the joy of Malaysian players was immediately accompanied by a big challenge: their next opponent is the Vietnam national team.

According to New Straits Times, Pavithran's goal helped Malaysia overcome the Philippines to advance. As runners-up in Group B, Malaysia will face Group A winners Vietnam in a two-legged semifinal, to be held on August 16 and 19.

Bernama also confirmed the Vietnam-Malaysia pairing right after Malaysia completed the group stage. Meanwhile, Vietnam enters the semifinals from a very different position: as the defending ASEAN Cup champions and the top team in Group A.

Notably, Malaysian media are not only looking at what the two teams have just shown at the ASEAN Cup 2026. The clash between Vietnam and Malaysia in March is still recalled as an important fact ahead of this rematch.

On March 31, Malaysia traveled to Vietnam for the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers and suffered a 1-3 defeat. The Star at that time described Malaysia as unable to keep up with a determined Vietnam team.

That is also why Stadium Astro particularly emphasized that Malaysia once again has to face defending champions Vietnam, while recalling the match on March 31.

For Malaysia, this is therefore not just a semifinal. The upcoming two legs are also an opportunity for Malaysia to seek to settle a 'debt' against a regional rival with a long history. But that task is far from easy.

If Malaysia had to wait until the last match to secure their spot, Vietnam finished the group stage in first place in Group A. Coach Kim Sang Sik's team therefore enters the semifinals with the advantage of playing the second leg at home.

Malaysian media also pay special attention to Vietnam's attacking strength. Nguyen Dinh Bac is one of the standout names in the group stage and has scored 5 goals in the tournament.

Vietnam also has many options in attack, including Xuan Son. This puts the Malaysian defense in front of a very difficult test in the two semifinal legs.

The way Malaysian media describe the opponent also partly shows caution. Vietnam is highlighted as the defending champion, and the upcoming clash is seen as one of the toughest challenges for Malaysia in the tournament.

Malaysia, however, has one important advantage in the first leg: home ground. Just before the decisive match against the Philippines, coach Tan Cheng Hoe emphasized the role of the fans and said that the '12th player' could make a difference in tense matches.

The Malaysian coach wants his players to make the most of home advantage while maintaining focus from start to finish. He also emphasized the requirement for players to be in good physical and mental condition.

That message becomes even more meaningful when the next opponent is Vietnam. Malaysian players understand that if they want to create an advantage before the away leg, they must make the most of the first match at home.

Malaysia's form in the group stage was not fully convincing. They beat Myanmar 2-1, won against Laos 4-0, but also lost to Thailand 0-2.

The narrow win over the Philippines helped Malaysia complete the task of reaching the semifinals, but the clash with the defending champions will be a test at a completely different level.

What the Malaysian press published right after the semifinal pair was determined shows a common point: the Vietnam national team is receiving great respect.

That is respect for the defending champion, for the Group A winners, and also for the opponent that defeated Malaysia 3-1 just over four months ago.

Malaysia has home ground in the first leg and has gained extra confidence after advancing past the group stage. But Vietnam holds the advantage of the second leg, the experience of champions, and an attack with many options to create breakthroughs.

From the perspective of Malaysian media, Malaysia's ticket to the ASEAN Cup 2026 final must now go through a 'mountain' named the Vietnam national team.

The two teams will meet in the first leg of the semifinal on August 16, before the rematch at Vietnam's home ground on August 19.