Coach Peter Cklamovski attends a press conference before the Vietnam-Malaysia match in Ninh Binh on 30/3/2026. *Photo: Minh Minh*

At Thien Truong Stadium, Malaysia conceded a goal in the 6th minute from a header by home defender Do Duy Manh following a corner kick routine. Cklamovski's players withstood pressure from Vietnam for the remainder of the first half but collapsed early in the second half, allowing Xuan Son to score a quick brace between the 51st and 59th minutes.

Malaysia only narrowed the deficit to 1-3 in the 77th minute when Endrick successfully converted a penalty after Van Hau fouled a visiting player in the box. However, that was all Malaysia could manage.

This defeat concluded Cklamovski's team's qualifying campaign with just 9 points after 6 matches. Malaysia extended their 12-year winless streak against Vietnam, dating back to the second leg of the 2014 AFF Cup semifinals (now the ASEAN Cup). Over the past 20 years, they have only secured two wins, with 14 losses and two draws against Vietnam.

The next FIFA days international break will take place in June. After that, Malaysia will prepare for the ASEAN Cup 2026, scheduled from 24/7 to 26/8.

Hieu Luong