On the afternoon of August 13, the Vietnamese team departed for Malaysia on a flight departing from Hanoi at 2:45 PM. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team landed in Kuala Lumpur at 7:10 PM on the same day local time.
Due to the small number of passengers at the airport, the entry procedures for the team were completed quickly. The work of welcoming and taking the team to the hotel also took place smoothly.
Previously, team leader Doan Anh Tuan went to Malaysia one day in advance to pre-check, check logistics conditions and prepare necessary content for the away trip. The team's hotel is located near the training ground and competition ground, helping players conveniently in the process of preparing for the match.
As soon as they set foot in Kuala Lumpur, the Vietnamese team received the welcome of a large number of Vietnamese people living and working in Malaysia. Words of encouragement from fans are a source of encouragement for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team before the important semi-final match.
The Vietnamese team won the top spot in Group A to advance to the semi-finals of ASEAN Cup 2026. The opponent of coach Kim Sang-sik's team is Malaysia, a team with home advantage in the first leg.
According to the plan, in the afternoon of August 14, the Vietnamese team will have their first training session in Kuala Lumpur. This is an opportunity for the coaching staff to continue to improve the tactical plan and prepare the final stages before the confrontation with Malaysia.
The first leg semi-final between Malaysia and Vietnam takes place at 8:00 PM on August 16 (Vietnam time). After that, the two teams will rematch in the second leg at My Dinh National Stadium on August 19.
Having to play the first leg away from home sets high requirements for the Vietnamese team in maintaining concentration, especially under pressure from Malaysian fans. Coach Kim Sang-sik and his team are aiming for a favorable result in Kuala Lumpur before returning home to decide the ticket to the final.
