Vietnam convincingly defeated Malaysia.

Although the match at Thien Truong Stadium was merely a formality in terms of the result, the way the Vietnamese team approached the game and deployed their tactics showed a serious attitude. From the very first minutes, the home team controlled the ball well, organized coherent attacks, and continuously put pressure on the opposing defense.

That proactive approach was soon materialized by captain Do Duy Manh's opening goal in the 7th minute. From a set piece, the central defender rose high and headed the ball accurately, giving Vietnam the lead and creating a crucial psychological advantage.

Not only that, the game was completely dominated by the red-shirted team. The midfield duo of Nguyen Hoang Duc and Nguyen Quang Hai kept the midfield running smoothly, while the flanks were constantly exploited thanks to the speed and attacking abilities of Tien Anh and Van Hau.

After the break, the pressure continued and paid off in the 51st minute. From a ball recovery in midfield, Vietnam launched a quick counter-attack, the ball was passed to the wing before being crossed into the box for Nguyen Xuan Son to leap high and head the ball into the net from close range, increasing the score to 2-0.

Just 8 minutes later, the same scenario repeated itself. Another sharp attack down the wing allowed Xuan Son to complete his brace with a dangerous header, almost ending Malaysia's hopes of getting a point.

Conversely, Malaysia didn't completely give up. In the final minutes of the match, the visitors pushed forward and managed to score a consolation goal from a penalty after Van Hau committed a foul in the penalty area. However, that was all they could do.

In fact, if the Vietnamese strikers had made better use of their chances in the second half, the lead could have been much wider. The unfortunate misses by the substitutes somewhat diminished the victory from the full-blown impact of the match.

Nevertheless, the 3-1 result is clear evidence of Vietnam's superiority. Not only did they control the game, but the team also demonstrated versatility in their approach to the goal, from aerial balls and wing attacks to quick counter-attacks.

More importantly, this victory helps the Vietnamese team finish the qualifying round with a perfect record of 6 wins in 6 matches.

Besides the result, the match also provided many positive signs in terms of team strength. Players returning from injury, such as Van Hau and Viet Anh, quickly found their rhythm, while new players gradually asserted their roles in the tactical system.

From a professional standpoint, the combination of experience and youth is helping the Vietnamese national team build a balanced image. The attack, with the "deadly duo" of Hoang Hen and Xuan Son, shows good chemistry, while the midfield maintains its ability to control the game and switch between phases quickly.

The victory against Malaysia was an important stepping stone for the road ahead. With solutions gradually emerging regarding squad strength and playing style, the Vietnamese national team has a solid foundation to aim for bigger goals at the 2027 Asian Cup.