Malaysian media highly appreciates Vietnam, pays special attention to Quang Hai

In the group stage of the 2018 AFF Cup, Que Ngoc Hai and his teammates convincingly defeated coach Tan Cheng Hoe's team with a score of 2-0. However, according to Goal Malaysia, since then, "Malaysia has shown remarkable progress with a victory over Myanmar, as well as a great achievement defeating Thailand in the semi-finals". "It's time for a new champion", Goal Malaysia declared.

Similarly, Malaysia's leading online newspaper The Star headlined "The stage is set for Malaysia's revenge against Vietnam", before reviewing some of the key developments of the match at My Dinh Stadium. Meanwhile, Malaymail quoted AFP as saying that under the guidance of Korean coach Park Hang-seo, Vietnam "are the team with the advantage to become champions for the second time, despite Malaysia causing a surprise when they overcame Thailand in Bangkok".

Vietnam national football team at Bukit Zalil. Photo: Trung Kien

Malaysian press seems to pay special attention to Quang Hai - the best player on the Vietnamese national team.

Berita Harian newspaper commented that his clever playing style, good mobility and diverse finishing skills, along with his skillful left foot, will help Quang Hai become the most important factor in the playing style of the Vietnam National Team.

Kosmo newspaper also quoted captain Zaquan Atha as saying that at Bukit Jalil, the Malaysian team will not be able to waste the golden opportunity when hosting Vietnam in the first final match.

Malaysians read sports newspapers this morning (December 11). Photo: Trung Kien

Commenting quite objectively on the first leg of the AFF Cup 2018 final, ESPN recalled the sweet 2-0 victory of the Vietnamese team against Malaysia. "However, we still have to be careful, Malaysia lost 1-5 in the opening match of the AFF Cup 2015 against Indonesia, then defeated this opponent with a final score of 4-2 to lift the Southeast Asian championship trophy for the first time."

Bukit Jalil Stadium has long been considered the "holy land" of the Malaysian team. Harian Metro believes: "The home team's fans - player number 12 - will create a fiery atmosphere to cheer on the team to compete with all the passion, motivation and glory in football to win."

On The Star newspaper, Malaysian sports journalists commented and reported on the content of the press conference between Vietnam and Malaysia before the final match with the title: The mystery of the Vietnamese dragons. In addition, this newspaper quoted coach Rajagopal - who led the Malaysian team to defeat the Vietnamese team in the semi-finals of the AFF Cup 2010 at Bukit Zalil Stadium.

The Star newspaper devoted two large pages to talk about the first leg of the AFF Cup 2018 final. Photo: Trung Kien

On the other hand, the former head coach of Malaysia said that the national team has a new lineup because there are only 2 players left in the 2010 lineup. Although they have youth, what the Malaysian players lack is battle experience.

The Star also quoted the 2018 AFF Cup champion as saying that the pressure from 80,000 Malaysian fans at Bukit Zalil will give the home team more strength. At the same time, expect a different face compared to the 0-2 loss to Vietnam at My Dinh.

Mr. Rajagopal also warned the Malaysian team that coach Tan Chang Hoe and his team seemed to be playing possession-based football, but also warned that scoring goals was the most important thing.

Malaysian media seems to be using Bukit Zail and the beautiful past of 2010 to believe in another successful first leg final. That will only add to the glory of the Vietnamese team if Coach Park Hang Seo and his team overcome the challenge of Malaysia and Bukit Zail tonight./.

AFF Cup 2018: Malaysian reporter points out the difference of coach Park Hang-seo

(Baonghean.vn)- In Kuala Lumpur, Nghe An Newspaper reporter had an interview with Keeshaanan Sundaresan of Fox Sports - a famous Asian sports magazine about Vietnamese football and the Vietnamese national team at AFF Cup 2018.

Trung Kien