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In an article titled “AFF Suzuki Cup 2018: Malaysia fights back against Vietnam to stay alive”, Fox Sports Asia described the match as “an enthralling encounter in front of a crowd that had to be more than the official attendance of 88,482”.

Vietnam (in red) have a fierce match against Malaysia.

“The Golden Dragons could easily have added a third a minute after the half-hour mark when Nguyen Quang Hai’s lovely slide-rule pass sent Ha Duc Chinh racing through, but he could only shoot straight at Farizal,” the newspaper wrote with regret.

With two potentially crucial away goals, Vietnam is in possession of the second leg at the My Dinh National Stadium in Hanoi on December 15, it added.

Sharing the same view, the website Goal.com said “Malaysia fought hard to come from behind to draw 2-2 with Vietnam in the first leg of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup and faces a difficult return leg”.

“Despite the gallant effort to claw back from two goals down to secure a 2-2 draw at Bukit Jalil National Stadium, the two away goals conceded to Vietnam will weigh heavily on the mind of Malaysia’s head coach Tan Cheng Hoe,” it wrote in its article titled “Draw in KL sees Vietnam gain two away goals advantage”.

“Vietnam produced more of an attacking display than what fans would have been accustomed to in the competition this year, and Malaysia struggled to cope with the precision and sharpness of their guests on the night”.

The article highlighted Vietnamese coach Park Hang-seo’s changes in the line-up when opting to drop Nguyen Anh Duc and Luong Xuan Truong to the bench with Ha Duc Chinh and Nguyen Huy Hung preferred from the start.

“It was a physical approach adopted by Vietnam in defence which unsettled the likes of Zaquan Adha and Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, which led to the duo unable to influence the game,” the article wrote.

“The draw means that Vietnam will go away from this match the happier of the two teams, knowing full well that they will have a noisy home crowd behind them at My Dinh Stadium for them to finish the job,” it added.

Channel News Asia also agreed that Vietnam will go into December 15’s return leg in Hanoi as favorites, thanks to their two away goals as both nations attempt to win the regional title for the second time.

Two Vietnamese players listed in AFF Suzuki Cup group stage’s best XI

Vietnamese midfielder Nguyen Cong Phuong and forward Nguyen Anh Duc have their names listed in Fox Sports Asia’s the best XI of the group stage of the ongoing 2018 ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.

 

Vietnam vs Philippines 2018 AFF Cup Semifinal

The 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup has entered the semifinal stage, in which the remaining four teams compete to be crowned champions. Vietnam will play guest to the Philippines in the semifinal first leg at Bacolod’s Panaad Stadium on December 2 before returning to Hanoi’s My Dinh National Stadium for the second leg four days later.

 

AFF Cup: online tickets for Vietnam vs. Philippines match sold out

All 25,000 tickets for Vietnam's second-leg semifinal at the ongoing AFF Cup sold out online in one day.

 

Vietnam edge past the Philippines in AFF Cup semifinal first leg

Vietnam has put one foot in the final match of the 2018 AFF Suzuki Cup after edging past the Philippines 2-1 in their semi-final first leg at Panaad Stadium in Bacolod on December 2.

 

Nearly 1,800 seats added to HCM City-Hanoi air route in AFF Cup fever

Vietnam Airlines said it will add nearly 1,800 more seats on flights between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City on December 6 and 7 to make it easier for football fans to travel to Hanoi for the semifinal return leg between Vietnam and the Philippines in the ASEAN Federation Football (AFF) Suzuki Cup 2018. 

 

Source: VNA