Malaysia Suffers Heavy Defeat to Vietnam
Malaysia’s interim national football team, Harimau Malaya, aims to end a long-standing losing streak against Vietnam when the two sides meet in the third-place playoff of the 2026 ASEAN FIFA Cup at the Gelora Bung Karno…
Source: Sinar Harian · October 5, 2026 at 4:32 AM · AI-assisted report
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JAKARTA, 5 OCTOBER 2026 —
Malaysia’s interim national football team, Harimau Malaya, aims to end a long-standing losing streak against Vietnam when the two sides meet in the third-place playoff of the 2026 ASEAN FIFA Cup at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta on Monday.
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Interim coach Tan Cheng Hoe stated that the match serves as a critical opportunity for the squad to overcome historical difficulties against their regional rivals.
Cheng Hoe emphasized that the team must maintain its current momentum and strong team spirit to face Vietnam, which he described as one of the strongest teams in terms of game organization, attack, and defense. He expressed pride in the team’s recent playing style and results but noted the necessity for improved consistency. “As a coach, I am very proud of our playing pattern and the very good results.
Of course, we need to improve our performance and be more consistent because the opponent, Vietnam, is another very strong team in terms of organization, attack, and defense,” Cheng Hoe said. He added, “We have lost to Vietnam many times, and this time we take it as confidence and an opportunity to get a good result.”
The historical context underscores the significance of the upcoming fixture, as Malaysia has not recorded a victory against Vietnam since 2016. This gap in the head-to-head record makes the third-place decider a pivotal moment for Harimau Malaya to finally break the cycle of defeats. Cheng Hoe stressed that the squad must function as a unified unit, stating that team victories stem from excellent team spirit.
“We must maintain our performance and consistency because we need to play as one team. We cannot forget that team victory comes from very good team spirit,” he said.
The coach further highlighted the anticipation surrounding the match, acknowledging the team’s frequent setbacks against Vietnam in the past. He expressed hope that with the best possible squad and momentum, Malaysia can secure a positive outcome. “We want Harimau Malaya to rise again from what has happened before. The match against Vietnam is the match we are looking forward to.
We have often been stopped by them, and we hope that this time, with the best team and best momentum, we can get a positive result,” Cheng Hoe concluded. The outcome will determine the final standing of both teams in the tournament, with Malaysia seeking to close a six-year winless run against their neighbors.