Vietnam delivered an overwhelming performance to trounce familiar rivals Malaysia 3-0 in their second Group B match at the AFF Suzuki Cup 2022 on Sunday night, thus climbing to top of the table after two consecutive wins.
Vietnamese (red) and Malaysian players in action during the match. (Photo: Getty Images)
The defending champions proved their class, as key midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai and striker Nguyen Cong Phuong consecutively scored within five minutes in the first half, helping Vietnam take a 2-0 lead just after 36 minutes, before Nguyen Hoang Duc wrapped up the show with a solo in the last minutes of the second half.
The convincing victory against last season’s finalists helps Vietnam rise to top of Group B, securing six points after two games.
In a pre-match press conference, Vietnam’s head coach Park Hang-seo admitted that the clash between the top two championship favorites in the group stage was like a final. That comment showed that the Korean strategist anticipated his team's difficulties, most notably in the absence of some key players like Do Hung Dung, Nguyen Trong Hoang or Doan Van Hau.
As for Malaysia, they were on top of the group after two wins against Cambodia and Laos, but ahead of the mouth-watering battle against Vietnam, coach Tan Cheng Hoe lost several key players as Khairulazhan Khalid, Faisal Halim and Akhyar Rashid are in quarantine, while midfielder Junior Eldstal was unable to play and Belgian-born centre-back Dion Cools has not arrived in Singapore yet.
In such a backdrop, Malaysia chose a safe approach to the game at Bishan Stadium, as they sat deep to defend the goal protected by Khairul Fahmi.
Vietnam were an active side right from the first minutes, and they got an early chance when Cong Phuong shot over the bar from close distance. The Hoang Anh Gia Lai’s striker again put pressure on Malaysia defence as Vietnam played consecutive long balls on both wings to threaten Malaysia.
Amid such difficulties, Malaysia suffered a huge blow as their captain Aidil Zafuan was injured and replaced by Dominic Tan in the 22nd minute.
Vietnam took the chance and just ten minutes later, their pressure fruited in the opener, thanks to Quang Hai’s superb strike. Teammate Phan Van Duc sprinted down the left flank and passed to Quang Hai, who made a thunderous strike with his left foot and left keeper Khairul Fahmi no chance.
On a high mood, Vietnam soon widened the gap just four minutes later, and Quang Hai again played a role, as the versatile midfielder made a backheel pass to Cong Phuong, who dribbled past two Malaysia defenders before finishing. The ball hit the right post and went in to help Vietnam lead by two goals.
Malaysia fought back in the second half as they made two substitutions to improve their attacking. However, it was still Vietnam’s show as the defending champions controlled the game thanks to their superior in the midfield.
Coach Park also made some substitutions to give his two strikers Nguyen Van Toan and Nguyen Tien Linh the chance from the bench. The pressure they put on Malaysia didn’t reduce despite leading by two goals.
However, it was until the injury time as Vietnamese fans at Bishan Stadium had the chance to celebrate again.
Malaysia lost the ball in the midfield and Nguyen Hoang Duc punished their mistake, as Viettel’s midfielder dribbled past several Malaysian defenders before shooting from outside the box into the left corner.
Vietnam made their day thanks to the great show against Malaysia. The convincing 3-0 victory puts them on the top of Group B after two wins in a row.
It was enough for Park's side to show their class against Malaysia, and at the same time creating a positive momentum for the rest of their title defending campaign.
In the previous match of Group B, Indonesia beat Laos 5-1 to go on par with group leaders Vietnam after two consecutive wins. Malaysia are ranked third also with six points but played three games.
The current rankings in Group B. (Photo: AFF Suzuki Cup)
Vietnam will have three days off before taking on second-placed Indonesia in their third match on Wednesday.
