KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — Malaysia’s hopes of reaching the 2026 ASEAN Cup final ended with a 2-0 defeat to Vietnam in the second leg of their semi-final at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi last night.
The result saw Harimau Malaya bow out 4-0 on aggregate after Vietnam secured a 2-0 victory in the first leg at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras last Sunday.
Malaysia entered the match needing a big win to revive their hopes of reaching the final and sought to play more aggressively from the start.
However, Vietnam managed to control the tempo and frustrate the national side’s attempts to find a breakthrough throughout the first half.
The hosts broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute through striker Nguyen Xuan Son, leaving Malaysia needing three goals to draw level on aggregate.
Harimau Malaya continued to push for an equaliser, but a lack of cutting edge in attack, coupled with Vietnam’s well-organised defence, made it difficult for interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s charges to find the net.
Xuan Son capped a fine night with his second goal in the 89th minute, sealing Vietnam’s 2-0 victory and ending Malaysia’s hopes of reaching the final.
The defeat brought Malaysia’s ASEAN Cup campaign to an end, while Vietnam advanced to the final as they continue their title defence.
