The Malaysian team has completed the ASEAN Cup 2026 group stage with second place in Group B. The 1-0 victory over the Philippines team in the last match helped coach Tan Cheng Hoe's team have 9 points after 4 matches, with 3 wins and 1 defeat. The Malaysian team scored 7 goals and conceded 3 goals, achieving a goal difference of +4.
Meanwhile, Thailand is at the top of the group with 12 absolute points. "War Elephants" won all 4 matches, scored 10 goals and did not concede. Myanmar is ranked third with 6 points, and the Philippines is ranked fourth with 3 points.
Opponents have the ability to create pressure
The group stage journey shows that the Malaysian team is a team capable of creating difficult matches. In the opening match, the Malaysian team was led by the Myanmar team but reversed to win 2-1 thanks to a double by Paulo Josué in the second half.
Notably, the Malaysian national team squad at ASEAN Cup 2026 is a combination of experienced players and new factors. Coach Tan Cheng Hoe was appointed interim coach by the Football Association of Malaysia from June. This coach once led the Malaysian team to the final of ASEAN Cup 2018.
Paulo Josue continues to be one of the notable players of the Malaysian team. This striker scored a double right in the opening match against Myanmar, while Mohamadou Sumareh and Syafiq Ahmad are also considered experienced players in the squad. Besides, Wan Kuzain is one of the new factors who was given the opportunity and quickly made his mark.
In the last match, Malaysia did not have an easy match against the Philippines. Pavithran's goal in the 16th minute helped the home team take the lead, then maintained the advantage until the end of the match. The Philippines had equalizing opportunities but could not take advantage of them, while Malaysia controlled the game well to preserve the victory.
A noteworthy point before the rematch is that Vietnam and Malaysia just met in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers.
On March 31, 2026, the Vietnamese team defeated the Malaysian team with a score of 3-1 at Thien Truong Stadium. Coach Kim Sang-sik's team scored 3 goals from headers. The Malaysian team had a consolation goal from a penalty spot.
The results on the field are a basis for the Vietnamese team to be confident before the rematch at ASEAN Cup 2026. However, this cannot be seen as a guarantee for an easy semi-final match. The Malaysian team has made changes in personnel and coaching staff, and is also showing good competitiveness in the regional tournament.
Notably, the AFC's disciplinary record later also adjusted the result of a match between the two teams in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers. The AFC determined that the Malaysian Football Federation used unqualified players and defeated the Malaysian team 0-3 in the match on June 10, 2025. Therefore, if considering the most recent actual match between the two teams, the Vietnamese team won against the Malaysian team 3-1 on March 31, 2026; according to the disciplinary results updated by the AFC, the Malaysian team was also defeated by the Vietnamese team 0-3 in the match on June 10, 2025.
A highly anticipated rematch
The Vietnamese team entered the semi-finals as the top team in Group A, while the Malaysian team ranked second in Group B. The difference in group stage rankings is not too large when the Malaysian team won up to 9 points, only 1 point behind the Vietnamese team.
The advantage of the Vietnamese team lies in stability and unbeaten record in the group stage. Meanwhile, the Malaysian team showed good adaptability and a remarkable fighting spirit, especially through the comeback against the Myanmar team in the opening match.
The semi-final confrontation is therefore not only a reunion after the match in the Asian Cup 2027 qualifiers, but also a new test for both teams. The Malaysian team will certainly have more motivation when facing the Vietnamese team, while the Vietnamese team has a basis to be confident after the 3-1 victory in March.
The Vietnamese team will have to pay special attention to the possibility of changing status and experienced players on the Malaysian team's side if they want to win the right to enter the ASEAN Cup 2026 final.
