Vietnam entered the game with confidence after topping Group A and maintaining a 22-match unbeaten streak under coach Kim Sang-sik. Meanwhile, Malaysia entered the semi-finals as runner-up in Group B but suffered a large loss in force. The injury storm left them with only 16 healthy players to practice before the match, in addition to three goalkeepers. Some key players such as Jimmy Raymond, Fazrul Amir and Aliff Haiqal had to rest for the remainder of the tournament, while Wan Kuzain was recalled to the US by the parent club. Despite a serious lack of troops, Malaysia still caused many difficulties for Vietnam, especially in the first half with its fiery style of fighting, not afraid of collision. The Kuala Lumpur stadium is one of the problems affecting Kim Sang-sik and his students. The field uses ginger-leaf grass, different from the coniferous grass that Vietnamese players are used to playing on. The rain makes the field wet, somewhat affecting the speed and accuracy of passes. Compared to the 3-1 win over Cambodia in the final round of the group stage, coach Kim Sang-sik made two changes in the starting lineup. Nguyen Xuan Son and Nguyen Tai Loc were given the opportunity to play in the main instead of Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Hai Long. Dinh Bac continued to lead the attack, while Do Hoang Hen sat on the bench. Kuala Lumpur Stadium can only accommodate about 18,000 people but the stands were not filled. The indifference of the home audience made the atmosphere in the stands not really as hot as a semi-final. However, on the field, the Malaysian players still entered the game with determination, playing a match that was considered their best since the beginning of the tournament. The home team proactively pushed the team forward, continuously exploiting both sides and causing many difficulties for the Vietnamese defense. In the first 35 minutes, Malaysia created many more notable situations. Gunalan escaped down the right wing and then passed the ball inside for Paulo Josue to finish. Le Giang Patrik promptly blocked, then Daryl Sham stepped in to shoot the ball over the crossbar. Vietnam played more cohesively at the end of the half, having many approaches to Malaysia's goal and dangerous shots. In the 43rd minute, Tai Loc passed to Xuan Son to hook the ball but failed. Two minutes later, Dinh Bac was the owner of the first shot in the direction of the away team's goal, but could not beat the Malaysian goalkeeper. It seemed like the first half would end with a draw, but Vietnam suddenly made a difference in the fifth minute of injury time. Le Pham Thanh Long passed across the line from home, allowing Truong Tien Anh to run up the right wing and cross the ball accurately. Xuan Son chose a good position, flew and headed the ball into Malaysia's net to open the score. This is Xuan Son's sixth goal in the knockout round of the ASEAN Cup, helping the striker born in 1997 surpass Nguyen Tien Linh to become the Vietnamese player with the most goals in the knockout round of the tournament. Right at the beginning of the second half, Vietnam had a chance to double the gap when Dinh Bac dribbled the ball and hung the ball to the left wing for Nguyen Van Vi to head back. Tai Loc finished but was blocked by the Malaysian defender, before Xuan Son kicked but could not get past the home defense. Having escaped defeat, Malaysia then increased the pressure on Vietnam's goal. In the 53rd minute, Le Giang Patrik promptly blocked Sumareh's dangerous cross. Three minutes later, the Vietnamese goalkeeper continued to punch the ball right in front of the Malaysian player's head. The situation that made many Vietnamese fans worried came in the 62nd minute. Sumareh escaped, Van Vi cleared the ball before Le Giang rushed out to intervene and collided with the home player. The referee initially gave the Vietnamese goalkeeper a direct red card after the collision with Sumareh. But through the VAR consultation process, he canceled the decision and allowed Le Giang to continue playing. Vietnam gradually regained its position when Hoang Hen replaced Tai Loc, then Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Hai Long also appeared on the field. The appearance of the above attacking trio helps Vietnam control the ball better and organize sharper attacks. In the 86th minute, Vietnam doubled the gap from a lucky situation, when Quang Hai poked Dinh Bac through. In an attempt to clear the ball, Faris Danish accidentally changed direction and went straight into his own net. Malaysia pressed forward in the final minutes but could not find a shortened goal. Minute 90+2, Le Giang ended a brilliant day with a save against Faris's shot at a tight angle. Efficiency in decisive moments helped Kim Sang-sik and his team win 2-0 and create a big advantage before the return match at My Dinh on August 19. The victory also helped Vietnam extend its unbeaten streak under Kim Sang-sik to 23 matches, including 20 wins and three draws.
