Vietnam Break Malaysia’s Resistance as Xuân Son Double Sets Up Thailand Final Rematch

Malaysia survived an hour in Hanoi with their comeback hopes technically alive. Within three minutes of Nguyễn Xuân Son entering the contest, those hopes had all but disappeared.

The striker scored twice after coming off the bench as Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 at a packed Mỹ Đình National Stadium on Wednesday, August 19. Combined with their two-goal first-leg victory in Kuala Lumpur, the result carried the defending champions into the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 final with a convincing 4-0 aggregate win.

Vietnam will now face Thailand in a repeat of the 2024 final. Kim Sang-sik’s team enters the decider with greater momentum, while the seven-time champion has an additional recovery day and will host Saturday’s opening leg in Bangkok.

TL;DR

• Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the semifinal second leg and advanced 4-0 on aggregate.
• Substitute Nguyễn Xuân Son scored in the 62nd and 89th minutes.
• Xuân Son earned the official Hyundai Player of the Match award.
• Malaysia goalkeeper Azri Ghani made seven saves and delayed Vietnam’s breakthrough.
• No yellow or red cards appeared in the accessible official ASEAN and Google event feeds.
• Vietnam will visit Thailand on August 22 before hosting the return leg on August 26.

Vietnam vs Malaysia Match Information

Detail	Information
Competition	ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026
Stage	Second semifinal, second leg
Result	Vietnam 2-0 Malaysia
Aggregate Result	Vietnam won 4-0
Venue	Mỹ Đình National Stadium, Hanoi
Date	Wednesday, August 19, 2026
Goalscorer	Nguyễn Xuân Son 62’, 89’
Player of the Match	Nguyễn Xuân Son
Turning Point	Xuân Son scored three minutes after entering as a substitute
Yellow Cards	None
Red Cards	None
Final	Thailand vs Vietnam, August 22 and 26

The score, goalscorer and official match award were confirmed by the ASEAN Championship’s match report. Additional national-team updates are available through the Vietnam Football Federation and the Football Association of Malaysia.

Vietnam Control the Tie Before Xuân Son Finishes It

Vietnam began with the authority expected from a team protecting a 2-0 advantage. Nguyễn Đình Bắc attacked the right channel inside the opening minute, while Đoàn Văn Hậu forced Azri into an important intervention after 10 minutes.

Pressure continued through Đình Bắc, Nguyễn Quang Hải and Văn Hậu. Malaysia’s goalkeeper repeatedly prevented an early goal, including a flying save when Đình Bắc appeared ready to find the top corner.

Vietnam recorded 26 shots, with 10 reaching the target. Their 11 corners reflected the amount of time spent around Malaysia’s penalty area. The hosts had already shown this attacking depth while winning Group A against Cambodia and during their 3-0 victory over Indonesia.

Malaysia remained level at halftime because Azri performed superbly and Vietnam missed several presentable openings. Holding out was only part of the visitors’ task, however. They still needed two goals to force extra time.

Nguyễn Xuân Son Turns Pressure Into Goals

Kim introduced Xuân Son in the 59th minute after Vietnam’s starting attack had created chances without finding the finish.

The decision produced an almost immediate return. Azri saved Xuân Son’s first close-range header, but the striker remained alert when Trương Tiến Anh’s effort was blocked in the 62nd minute. He collected the loose ball and converted from close range.

Xuân Son added his second in the 89th minute, powering down the left, cutting inside and beating Azri to complete the semifinal.

His six shots and four attempts on target made him the match’s most dangerous player despite spending only half an hour on the field. The double took his tournament total to five goals, level with Đình Bắc at the top of Vietnam’s scoring chart.

Xuân Son’s influence also strengthens Vietnam’s final prospects. Their route to the semifinals had already demonstrated that goals could come from different areas. Now the forward who scored eight times during the 2024 title campaign has found his sharpest form at the ideal moment.

Patrik Lê Giang Preserves Another Clean Sheet

Malaysia enjoyed its best spell shortly after halftime. G. Pavithran forced Patrik Lê Giang into a reaction save before Paulo Josué’s follow-up was deflected over.

Those opportunities offered Malaysia a brief route back into the semifinal. A goal would have reduced the aggregate deficit and placed pressure on a home side growing frustrated by Azri’s saves.

Lê Giang ended the match with four stops and another clean sheet. His calm handling prevented Malaysia from building momentum and allowed Vietnam to continue attacking without panic.

The goalkeeper had also played an important role in Kuala Lumpur. His consistency across both legs helped Vietnam complete a semifinal without conceding.

Malaysia Compete, but Lack the Required Cutting Edge

Malaysia held 52 percent possession and completed 363 accurate passes, yet much of that control occurred away from Vietnam’s most vulnerable areas.

Tan Cheng Hoe’s team needed an early goal but struggled to place runners behind Vietnam’s back three. Paulo Josué lacked sustained service, while Malaysia’s wide attacks rarely created clear opportunities before the interval.

Azri was Malaysia’s outstanding performer. His seven saves kept the game scoreless for 61 minutes and prevented the aggregate margin from becoming heavier.

Reaching the semifinals still represented a respectable campaign. Malaysia secured qualification by defeating the Philippines in their final group game, but losses to Thailand and Vietnam exposed the gap between a competitive semifinalist and the tournament’s two strongest teams.

Vietnam vs Thailand: Who Has the Advantage in the Final?

The ASEAN Championship semifinal history pointed toward another meeting between the region’s dominant programs. Both have arrived, although their semifinal performances created different moods.

Vietnam enters as the slight favorite. The defending champion won both semifinal legs, kept two clean sheets and produced a 4-0 aggregate victory. Kim can also introduce Xuân Son from the bench or restore him to the starting lineup.

Thailand holds the logistical advantage before the opening leg. Anthony Hudson’s players have one additional recovery day and remain in Bangkok, where Saturday’s match will take place. Thailand also won all four group matches and scored 10 unanswered goals before the semifinals.

Concern emerged during their 2-1 home defeat to Singapore. After progressing 4-3 on aggregate, Hudson admitted he was “disappointed with the performance” and said there were “a lot of things we need to fix.”

Vietnam will host the second leg in Hanoi, which gives the defending champion the more valuable structural advantage. If Kim’s team remains level or close after Bangkok, the title will be decided before its own crowd at Mỹ Đình.

Thailand brings seven titles, a record 12th final appearance and the experience of surviving uncomfortable knockout situations. Vietnam carries stronger form, a deeper range of scorers and home advantage in the decisive leg.

The 2024 final ended with Vietnam defeating Thailand 5-3 on aggregate. Two years later, the War Elephants have a chance to settle that account, while Vietnam can confirm that Southeast Asian football’s balance of power has shifted.

Follow continuing tournament analysis through The Sports Encounter’s soccer coverage, its ASEAN Championship qualification archive and the broader FIFA World Cup 2026 hub.https://chatgpt.com/backend-api/sentinel/frame.html?sv=20260810913b