AFF Suzuki Cup: Rampant Vietnam outclass Malaysia in 3-0 win

SINGAPORE — It was billed as a clash of the last two finalists, but Malaysia were again second-best to defending champions Vietnam as they succumbed 0-3 in a key AFF Suzuki Cup Group B clash at Bishan Stadium on Sunday (12 December).

Tried as they did to contain their opponents and hit them on the break, the Malaysians were eventually worn down by the highly-impressive Vietnamese team, and had no answer to their trio of expertly-taken goals.

The result means that Vietnam are firmly in the driver's seat to finish as Group B winners after two straight victories. They will next play Indonesia on Wednesday, before taking on minnows Cambodia in their final group game next Sunday.

For Malaysia, who have two wins and a defeat so far, their final match against the Indonesians next Sunday will be crucial in deciding whether they can advance out of the group at the expense of their opponents.

Against Vietnam, they trotted out a defensive stance from the opening kick-off, intent on frustrating Vietnam. But their strategy suffered a huge blow in the 24th minute, when captain and defensive linchpin Aidil Zafuan limped out of the game and was replaced by the less-experienced Dominic Tan.

Sensing blood, Vietnam stepped up their offence, and got their breakthrough in the 32nd minute, as Nguyen Tuan Anh's superb cut-back from the left flank was slammed home with aplomb by forward Nguyen Quang Hai.

Barely four minutes later, the reigning champions doubled their lead in emphatic fashion. This time it was Nguyen Quang Hai whose backheel set Nguyen Cong Phong away, and the striker twisted to send Tan the wrong way before firing past goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi.

Stung by the quick-fire double, Malaysia came out of their shell in the second half to try and salvage the game. However, the Vietnamese held firm, before midfielder Nguyen Hoang Duc sealed the victory in the 89th minute with a superb effort from just outside the area.

In the earlier kickoff at Bishan Stadium, Indonesia notched up their second Group B win in as many matches with a 5-1 rout of Laos, following their 4-2 win over Cambodia on Thursday.

Asnawi Mangkualam (23rd minute penalty), Irfan Jaya (34th), Witan Sulaeman (56th), Ezra Walian (77th) and Evan Dimas (84th) scored for the five-time runners-up, while Kydavone Souvanny scored Laos' consolation goal in the 41st minute.