Vietnam vs Malaysia Starting XI: The Trio of Dinh Bac, Xuan Son, and Tai Loc to Start

Vietnam vs Malaysia Starting XI: The Vietnam national team will kick off with the forward trio of Dinh Bac, Xuan Son, and Tai Loc. In contrast, Quang Hai will be relegated to the substitute bench.

Vietnam's Starting Formation vsMalaysia

Compared to their most recent match—a 3-1 win over Cambodia in the final group stage fixture—the biggest change made by coach Kim Sang Sik lies entirely in the attack. This indicates that the South Korean tactician is aiming for a more offensive approach against a higher-rated opponent.

Specifically, the Vietnamese team will start in Kuala Lumpur with the attacking trio of Dinh Bac, Xuan Son, and Tai Loc, with Xuan Son playing as the highest striker. Compared to the Cambodia match, Quang Hai and Hai Long have returned to the bench. The clear difference: the attack against Malaysia is notably faster and more physically imposing.

This adjustment carries significant tactical meaning. Against Cambodia, Vietnam could operate with an attack focused on combination play, creativity, and movement with Quang Hai and Hai Long on the field. However, against Malaysia, coach Kim Sang-sik prioritizes a true focal point in the box with Xuan Son, while also giving Tai Loc a chance to increase speed and pressure up front.

Keeping almost the entire squad structure unchanged also shows that coach Kim Sang-sik trusts the core that helped Vietnam top Group A with 10 points. Notably, the midfield duo of Hoang Duc and Thanh Long continues to be maintained, ensuring stability in ball control and transition play.

It can be said that this is a small but clearly directional change: retaining the defensive and midfield framework while boosting firepower in the attack. Against Malaysia, choosing Xuan Son shows that Vietnam wants to proactively apply pressure and maximize the striker's finishing ability in the away first leg of the semifinal.

Meanwhile, by deploying up to four attacking players—Syafiq Ahmad, Mohamadou Sumareh, Pavithran, and Paulo Josue—Malaysia demonstrates its attacking intent. Even the central midfield duo of Ezequiel Aguero and Daryl Sham are not specialized in defensive disruption. Among them, Aguero has an attacking support role, while Daryl Sham plays deeper but is not a defensive midfielder by nature.

Vietnam's Starting XI

Vietnam: Le Giang Patrik - Xuan Manh, Thanh Chung, Viet Anh - Tien Anh, Thanh Long, Hoang Duc, Van Vi - Dinh Bac, Xuan Son, Tai Loc.

Malaysia: Azri Ghani - Alif Ahmad, Ubaidullah Shamsul, Rodney Akwensivie, Faris Danish - Daryl Sham, Ezequiel Aguero - Syafiq Ahmad, Mohamadou Sumareh, Pavithran - Paulo Josue