Malaysia aims to surpass Vietnam, setting a target to qualify for the 2027 Asian Cup.
With a perfect 15 points after 5 matches, Malaysia has a strong chance of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup if they overcome their final challenge against Vietnam in March 2026.
The Malaysian national team has a great opportunity to complete their Asian Cup 2027 qualifying campaign by securing a place in the finals. After a spectacular 2025 season, coach Peter Cklamovski's squad has established a solid foundation towards their ultimate goal: overcoming their long-time rival Vietnam and asserting their position in the region.
The absolute power of Harimau Malaya in 2025
Under the guidance of strategist Peter Cklamovski, the Malaysian national team (Harimau Malaya) displayed a devastating performance in Group F of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The yellow-and-black team secured a perfect 15 points from 5 consecutive wins, scoring 15 goals and conceding only one.
This impressive journey began with a 2-0 victory over Nepal, followed by a major shock win against Vietnam with a resounding 4-0 scoreline in June 2025. Continuing their momentum, Malaysia then overcame Laos with 3-0 and 5-1 scores. In their most recent match in November, they defeated Nepal with a narrow 1-0 victory to maintain their unbeaten streak.
Key factors for success
Malaysia's resurgence is largely thanks to outstanding individual performances. Selangor FC's winger Faisal Halim is leading the scoring charts for the national team in the qualifiers with 3 goals. In addition, the consistent performances of key players like Arif Aiman, Safawi Rasid, and Ramadhan Saifullah have helped Malaysia become a cohesive, disciplined, and resilient team.
The "final" match of Group F at My Dinh Stadium.
Malaysia's biggest goal in 2026 is their away match against Vietnam in March. This is considered a crucial game to determine the top spot in Group F. Despite a resounding victory in the first leg at Bukit Jalil Stadium, coach Cklamovski's team is expected to face more difficulties in the return match away from home.
In particular, the Vietnamese national team under coach Kim Sang Sik will welcome back the Brazilian-born striker, Nguyen Xuan Son. This striker was absent from the first leg due to injury, and his return is expected to significantly increase the attacking power of the home team.
Despite the pressure of playing away from home, the Football Association of Malaysia and the coaching staff remain highly determined. A favorable result against Vietnam would not only secure their place in the 2027 Asian Cup but also affirm the remarkable progress of Malaysian football on the continental stage.
The troubles of naturalized star Imanol Machuca
Besides the positive news regarding professional performance, Malaysian football is also facing legal troubles related to naturalized player Imanol Machuca. The striker is at risk of having his penalty increased by FIFA after being found to have participated in a training match with his former club San Lorenzo (Argentina), despite serving a 12-month suspension.
The absence of Machuca in the near future may be a loss in squad depth, but with a core group of domestic players reaching their peak, Malaysia remains confident of achieving its historic goal in 2026.
