Coach Kim Sang Sik and Xuan Son are both worried about the unfamiliar pitch before Vietnam's match against Malaysia.

The pitch surface in Kuala Lumpur is turning into a major issue for Vietnam's squad before the first leg of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 semi-final against Malaysia. In addition to Coach Kim Sang Sik's remarks about adapting to the pitch, forward Nguyen Xuan Son confessed that he is not comfortable with this type of grass.

Before facing Malaysia, Coach Kim Sang Sik confirmed that the Vietnam team has a full roster and all players are ready to play. Nevertheless, the South Korean coach warned that the away match will be challenging, with getting used to the new pitch being a crucial part of the preparation.

"This is a semi-final, so the match won't be easy. It's also an away game, so we have to give our best to perform well, and the players must adapt to a new type of pitch," Coach Kim Sang Sik stated.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's concern becomes even more striking as Nguyen Xuan Son directly brought up this issue during the pre-match press conference. The first leg of the semi-final is being held on a ginger grass pitch, a surface that the Vietnam striker has previously experienced unfavorably.

"To be honest, I don't like this pitch," Xuan Son admitted. The Vietnam striker said the surface feels quite hard. He has played on similar pitches many times in Vietnam and found it difficult to adapt. However, he insisted that the pitch conditions will not affect the team's focus and determination in the semi-final.

Therefore, the pitch problem is a concern not only for the coaching staff but also for the Vietnamese players. For a team that often relies on quick passes and rapid transitions, the ability to adjust to the ball's bounce, rolling speed, and surface traction can influence how they execute their game plan.

Coach Kim Sang Sik said the coaching staff have thoroughly analyzed Malaysia, especially how the opponent uses their 4-4-2 formation. The Vietnam team's objective is to identify the hosts' weaknesses and achieve a favorable outcome before returning to Hanoi for the second leg.

Xuan Son also noted that Malaysia has changed a lot since the last meeting between the two sides. After reviewing video footage, he praised the opponent's midfield and wingers, but stressed that Vietnam will focus on their own preparation and tactical approach.

Vietnam enters the semi-final with a 22-match unbeaten streak since losing 1-2 to Thailand in September 2024. For Coach Kim Sang Sik, maintaining this record is significant, but the result of each individual match matters more than the numbers.

The first leg of the semi-final between Malaysia and Vietnam kicks off at 20:00 on August 16 in Kuala Lumpur. Under away pressure, the ability to quickly adapt to the ginger grass pitch will therefore be a notable challenge for Coach Kim Sang Sik and his players.