Malaysia face uphill task after 2-0 loss to Vietnam in Asean Cup semi-final

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 17 — Malaysia face a challenging road to the final of the 2026 ASEAN Cup after a 2-0 defeat to Vietnam in their semi-final clash. Nguyen Xuan Son's goal in the fifth minute of stoppage time and an own goal by Muhammad Faris Danish Asrul in the 86th minute secured Vietnam's advantage for the return leg at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.

The first half was largely balanced, with neither team generating significant momentum in the opening 30 minutes. Malaysia took the lead in the 35th minute when Daryl Sham K. George capitalized on a deflection from a cross by Muhammad Faris Danish Asrul, only for the Vietnamese to respond effectively towards the end of the first half.

Nguyen Xuan Son's effort hit the left post, while Nguyen Dinh Bac's shot from outside the penalty area was brilliantly saved by Muhammad Azri Ab Ghani. Vietnam's breakthrough came in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage time when Xuan Son headed home a cross from Nguyen Tien Anh. Despite a penalty miss for Vietnam in the 61st minute, they managed to equalize when Xuan Son's follow-up attempt was blocked by Ahmad Aysar Hadi Mohd Shapri.

Just when Malaysia thought they had restricted the victors to a narrow victory, Faris Danish Asrul sealed Vietnam's fate by deflecting Nguyen Quang Hai's cross into his own net in the 86th minute. Despite being down two goals, Harimau Malaya continued to push hard, coming close twice late in the game. Winger G. Pavithran's effort went wide in the 90th minute, while Faris Danish Asrul's shot was blocked by Patrik in second-half stoppage time.