"Even Park Hang-seo couldn't achieve this feat": Kim Sang-sik's Vietnam crushes Malaysia 2-0, seizing the initiative for the ASEAN Cup semifinals.

*This content was translated by AI.

The Vietnam national football team, led by head coach Kim Sang-sik, has taken a significant step toward reaching the final of the 2026 ASEAN Championship Hyundai Cup, known as the "Southeast Asian Football World Cup."

On the 16th (Korea time), in the first leg of the semifinals held at the Kuala Lumpur Stadium in Malaysia, Vietnam defeated Malaysia 2-0. The victory came thanks to an incredible diving header by Nguyen Xuan Thong and an own goal by the opposing team.

With this win, Vietnam has secured a favorable position: even if they lose by one goal in the second leg of the semifinals on the 19th at home, they will still advance to the tournament final.

If Vietnam reaches the final again this year, it will mark their second consecutive appearance in the final, following their success in the 2024 edition.

Under Kim Sang-sik's leadership, Vietnam aims for back-to-back titles after winning the championship in 2024. Achieving a two-peat would not only be historic but also make them the first Vietnamese team ever to reach consecutive finals.

Previously, under coach Park Hang-seo, Vietnam won the title in 2018 but were eliminated in the semifinals in 2020, ending their bid for back-to-back championships. In 2022, they returned to the final but settled for the runner-up position.

If Kim Sang-sik's Vietnam reaches the final this year, it will be a historic first. Should they go on to win the championship, it would represent an unprecedented achievement in Vietnamese football history.

Earlier, Vietnam topped Group A with an overwhelming record of three wins and one draw (10 points), scoring 13 goals while conceding only one. They faced Malaysia, who finished second in Group B with three wins and one loss, in the first leg of the semifinals.

Vietnam broke the deadlock just before halftime when Xuan Thong scored with a diving header. A cross from the right flank was slightly too long, but Xuan Thong leaped to head the ball into the net—a truly spectacular diving header goal.

After securing a favorable position, Vietnam appeared to be at a numerical disadvantage when a player seemed to receive a red card. However, after an on-field review, the dismissal was overturned, relieving the team's tension.

Later in the second half, at the 41st minute, luck favored Vietnam again as a cutback from the wing deflected off a Malaysian defender and went straight into the goal—an own goal that sealed a 2-0 away victory.

Meanwhile, in the other semifinal match on the opposite side of the bracket, Thailand and Singapore will compete for a spot in the final. In the first leg, Thailand won 3-1, securing a favorable position. The tournament final is scheduled to be played on the 22nd and 26th in a home-and-away format.

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*This content was translated by AI.