In Group F, Vietnam is currently second, trailing leaders Malaysia by 3 points. Consequently, the final group stage match between the two teams on 31/3 is crucial for securing a spot in the Asian Cup 2027 finals. Vietnam must achieve a victory margin of four goals or more to advance.

Given the match's significance, on the afternoon of 21/1, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) sent an official letter to the Ninh Binh Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, requesting consideration and approval to host the match at Thien Truong Stadium (formerly in Nam Dinh).

Thien Truong Stadium during the Nam Dinh - HAGL match in the National Cup on the afternoon of 23/5/2020. Photo: *Duc Dong*.

Thien Truong Stadium boasts a seating capacity of about 30,000. It is renowned for having one of Vietnam's most passionate fan bases. Beyond hosting matches for current V-League champions Nam Dinh, the stadium previously staged the men's football group stage of SEA Games 31 and several friendly matches for the Vietnam national team. These included friendlies against Syria in 2023 and India in 2024.

Historically, before choosing Thien Truong Stadium, the VFF typically utilized My Dinh Stadium (Hanoi) and Viet Tri Stadium (Phu Tho) for Vietnam's U23 and senior national team matches. For the current Asian Cup group stage, the team chose Go Dau Stadium (Binh Duong) to host matches against Laos and Nepal. Nepal, in turn, selected Thong Nhat Stadium (TP HCM) as their home ground.

After five rounds in Group F, Malaysia leads with 15 points, a goal difference of +14, and 15 goals scored. Vietnam has 12 points, a goal difference of +6, and 11 goals scored. The two national teams will play the decisive match on 31/3. In the first leg in June, Malaysia secured a 4-0 victory at their home ground, Bukit Jalil Stadium.

According to regulations, after points, the criteria for ranking in the final qualifiers are, in order: head-to-head goal difference, overall goal difference, and total goals scored. Should Vietnam fail to secure the top spot in the group, they still retain a chance to qualify for the finals. This scenario would occur if the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) rules Malaysia to lose 0-3 for fielding an ineligible player in their 4-0 first-leg victory over Vietnam. In such a case, Malaysia's points would decrease from 15 to 9, dropping them to second in the group. Vietnam would then ascend to first place with 15 points, thereby securing a spot in Asian Cup 2027, irrespective of the final match's outcome.

20 national teams have already qualified for Asian Cup 2027.

Besides host Saudi Arabia, the 19 qualified teams include: Australia, Indonesia, Singapore (Southeast Asian Football Federation); Iraq, Iran, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Palestine, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Syria (West Asia); Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan (Central Asia); Japan, South Korea, China, North Korea (East Asia).

The remaining four spots will be determined after four decisive matches in the final round of qualifiers, featuring: Tajikistan – Philippines (Group A), Lebanon – Yemen (Group B), Thailand – Turkmenistan (Group D), and Vietnam – Malaysia (Group F).