Malaysia vs Vietnam Prediction and Betting Tips

Malaysia host Vietnam at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday for the first leg of their 2026 ASEAN Championship semi-final clash. Ranked 136th in the world, the Malay Tigers are into the last four of the cup for the second time in three editions, and it comes on the back of a strong run in the group stages.

Tan Cheng Hoe’s side won three of their four clashes in the first round, beating Myanmar and Laos in back-to-back wins before Thailand punctured some of the momentum by inflicting a 2-0 loss. But Malaysia recovered to beat the Philippines 1-0 as Pavithran Gunalan struck in the 16th minute.

With nine points from three games, Malaysia came through as Group B runners-up behind leaders Thailand and now stand just two games away from reaching the ASEAN showpiece final for the first time since 2018.

It’s easier said than done against defending champions Vietnam though, who progressed into the knockout stages unbeaten.

Besides the 0-0 draw with Singapore, the Golden Star Warriors beat everyone else: a 7-0 drubbing at the hands of Timor-Leste, a 3-0 thrashing of Indonesia, and a late victory over Cambodia on the final day as the holders boast a menacing attacking vanguard.

Malaysia vs Vietnam Head-To-Head and Key Numbers

There have been 22 clashes between the sides in the past, with the Golden Star Warriors prevailing 16 times and the Malay Tigers taking the cake on just three occasions.
Malaysia’s last win over Vietnam came in December 2014, triumphing 4-2 in the second leg of their semi-final tie. They have since lost 10 of their next 11 fixtures (they had won 4-0 in last year’s Asian Cup qualifiers but were sanctioned by FIFA for fielding ineligible players in the match and Vietnam were awarded a 3-0 win).
Having scored in their encounter with Vietnam, Thailand are looking to score in back-to-back games against the side for the first time since netting in both the semi-final legs of the ASEAN Championship back in 2014.
Cong An Hanoi forward Nguyen Dinh Bac has bagged five goals at the cup, more than any player at the ongoing tournament.
Vietnam have progressed from the semi-finals of the ASEAN showpiece in three of their last four appearances.