Malaysia supporters failed to appear for their team's ASEAN Cup 2026 semi-final second leg against Vietnam at My Dinh Stadium on August 19, leaving the designated away section completely empty.
The stand for Malaysian supporters at Hanoi's My Dinh Stadium is left empty on August 19 (Photo: Quyet Thang).
The unusual absence created a striking contrast with the intense atmosphere generated by thousands of home fans inside the Hanoi venue. Malaysian football is widely associated with the passionate backing of Ultras Malaya, whose large and vocal presence has long been a feature of the national team's matches.
The sight of vacant seats in the section allocated to Malaysian supporters surprised many spectators and prompted speculation about possible reasons for their absence. Some observers suggested disappointment following Malaysia's first-leg defeat, while others pointed to recent controversies surrounding allegations linked to player naturalisation.
Organisers at My Dinh Stadium responded by allowing Vietnam supporters to move into the empty section around 30 minutes into the first half, helping fill the vacant seats and maintain the lively atmosphere.
Vietnamese supporters created a lively atmosphere at My Dinh Stadium (Photo: Do Minh Quan).
On the pitch, Vietnam dominated much of the match and created numerous scoring opportunities. However, the breakthrough only came after striker Xuan Son entered the game.
Xuan Son went on to play a decisive role as Vietnam secured victory over Malaysia, with the hosts dominating both on the field and in the stands.
The win sent Kim Sang Sik's side into the ASEAN Cup 2026 final, where Vietnam will face regional rivals Thailand.
