Despite a 2–0 victory over Laos thanks to goals from Xuan Son and Tuan Hai, Vietnam remains under pressure in Group F as Malaysia holds the top spot. However, Malaysia's position is now at risk due to an ongoing eligibility probe.

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Xuan Son converts a penalty against Laos, marking an impressive return after over 10 months recovering from injury. Photo: Hai Hoang

The win on the night of November 19 allowed Vietnam to stay within reach of the group lead in the race for a spot at the 2027 AFC Asian Cup.

Xuan Son’s calm penalty conversion and Tuan Hai’s elegant scissor kick in stoppage time earned coach Kim Sang Sik’s side three vital points, even though they struggled throughout the first half.

Despite the win, the situation in Group F remains tense. Earlier that evening, Malaysia edged Nepal 1–0 to reach 15 points, retaining the top position. Vietnam’s win came too late to close the gap - still three points separate the two sides.

The most daunting challenge for Vietnam is the head-to-head goal difference. After a crushing 0–4 defeat in the first leg, the Golden Stars must now beat Malaysia by at least a four-goal margin when the two teams meet again in March 2026.

Still, the group’s outcome is far from settled.

Malaysia faces a serious risk from a FIFA investigation into allegations that seven naturalized players submitted falsified documents. If the AFC confirms these violations, Malaysia could be handed forfeits for matches against Nepal and Vietnam - potentially upending the group standings.

For Vietnam, the immediate task is to stay mentally sharp after the Laos win and prepare for the do-or-die clash with Malaysia next March.

Thien Binh