Prediction: Vietnam backed to beat Malaysia in FIFA ASEAN Cup third-place playoff
Vietnam is favored to defeat Malaysia in the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 third-place playoff match. Despite defensive concerns, Vietnam aims to end the tournament on a high note against a strong Malaysian side.
Why it matters
The match serves as a significant regional sporting event, highlighting the competitive growth of Southeast Asian football.
Vietnam are expected to edge Malaysia in a tightly contested FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026 third-place playoff at 4:00 pm on Monday, despite injury concerns and a demanding schedule taking a toll on Kim Sang Sik’s squad.
Vietnam are expected to defeat Malaysia. Photo: Anh Khoa / Tuoi Tre
The match at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Indonesia gives Vietnam a chance to end the tournament on a positive note after missing out on the final.
Kim Sang Sik’s side recovered from their defeat to Thailand with a 4-2 comeback win over Pakistan, a result that restored confidence but also exposed defensive vulnerabilities.
However, conceding twice to Thailand also exposed gaps in Vietnam’s defense that still need to be addressed.
Ahead of the match, head coach Kim Sang Sik said the team would approach the clash with Malaysia as if it were a final.
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