Malaysian newspaper: 'The Vietnamese team tamed the Malayan Tiger'
Many Malaysian and regional newspapers assess that Vietnam holds a great advantage after defeating Malaysia 2-0 in the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup semi-finals.
"Vietnam tames the Malayan Tiger" is how the New Straits Times titled the report after the home team's 0-2 loss to Vietnam at Kuala Lumpur on the evening of August 16.
"Malayan Tigers" is the nickname of the Malaysian team, related to a subspecies of tiger that inhabits the Malay Peninsula. It is also a mascot symbolizing the courage and strength of Malaysians, appearing on the country's national emblem.
The newspaper wrote that Vietnam took a step towards the final after winning in Cheras district. However, two turning points related to VAR affected the match. Malaysia hoped to get a penalty in the first half, before referee Lutfullin Rustam allowed the match to continue. In the second half, goalkeeper Le Giang Patrik was given a red card, but this decision was canceled after the referee reviewed VAR.
Meanwhile, Free Malaysia Today said that Tan Cheng Hoe and his team are facing a "difficult task" to win the right to enter the final. The newspaper assessed Vietnam as the team with an outstanding advantage before the second leg. Nguyen Xuan Son's goal in first half stoppage time and Faris Danish Asrul's own goal at the end of the match gave Vietnam a two-goal advantage. Malaysia will have to reverse this gap at My Dinh on the evening of August 19.
The Star also used a pessimistic tone when calling this "a forgettable night" for Malaysia. The newspaper said that the host created a number of significant opportunities but failed to take advantage, while Vietnam knows how to punish opponents at decisive moments.
This newspaper said Malaysia tried to increase ball control and create more opportunities in the second half, but coach Tan Cheng Hoe's personnel changes did not make a difference. After the second goal, Malaysia still tried but could not find a shortened goal.
A notable comment from the Malaysian side came from interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe, posted by Berita Harian with the title "The own goal killed us".
Mr. Tan did not criticize his students after the defeat. On the contrary, he said he was proud of Malaysia's performance, while admitting disappointment with the results. According to the 58-year-old coach, Malaysia knew Vietnam was a difficult opponent but the players still played with high confidence and commitment.
The point that made Tan regretful was that Malaysia let Vietnam score at the end of the first half. He said that the home team controlled the match better in the second half but was "unfortunate" when the own goal caused Malaysia to lose 0-2.
This comment is also somewhat similar to ESPN. The American sports company said that Malaysia is brave, but there is still a "mountain" to overcome at My Dinh.
The newspaper assessed that the match on the evening of August 16 was not easy for Vietnam, although in theory the defending champion was rated much higher than a weakened Malaysia. Malaysia only had four players with more than 20 caps when entering the tournament, while Vietnam was the defending champion with almost the strongest squad.
Malaysia can even take the lead if they make good use of the opportunities in the first half. However, Vietnam was once again rescued by Xuan Son. The American newspaper commented that the Brazilian striker still knows how to shine at the decisive moment.
Xuan Son scored 14 goals in 14 matches for Vietnam. Although Vietnam is no longer completely dependent on the 29-year-old striker, his presence still helps speedy and creative players have more playing space.
The newspaper also highly appreciated Malaysia's competitive spirit. The fact that midfielder Rodney Celvin had to leave the field early made Aysar Hadi Shapri surprised in his first appearance for the team, but the 22-year-old still showed a strong fighting spirit. The newspaper saw it as a symbol of Malaysia's fearless attitude in the face of a difficult task.
In Indonesia, Bola website also said that Vietnam has opened the door to the final after winning in Kuala Lumpur. The newspaper commented that Malaysia played bravely and put pressure on Vietnam, but that was not enough.
Indonesia's iNews newspaper even headlined "Destroying Malaysia, Vietnam puts one foot in the AFF Cup 2026 final". Indonesian media assessed that the 2-0 gap was big enough for Vietnam to have a clear advantage before the second leg.
Thai newspapers also paid attention to Vietnam's victory. Siamsport wrote that the defending champion showed sharpness when winning 2-0 away from Malaysia.
Daily News highly appreciates the possibility of recreating the final match between Thailand and Vietnam. The newspaper raised the issue of "perhaps it's the old match again", and said that Vietnam is approaching the final after defeating Malaysia at Cheras. Thailand also beat Singapore 3-1 in the first leg of the semi-finals, thereby creating an advantage before the return leg.
Vietnam and Thailand have met in three ASEAN Cup finals, in 2008, 2022 and 2024. The team won 3-2 in 2008, lost 2-3 in 2022 and won 5-3 in 2024. The most frequent match in the final took place between Thailand and Indonesia, when "War Elephants" won in 2000, 2002, 2016 and 2020.
The 2-0 result forced Malaysia to win by two goals in the second leg if they wanted to take the match into extra time, because the 2026 ASEAN Cup does not apply the away goals rule.
