Vietnam’s national football team is facing an uphill battle in their bid to reach the finals of the 2027 AFC Asian Cup, especially after the fifth round of Group F qualifying results widened the gap in Malaysia’s favor.

The group stage battle in Group F has reached a tense climax - and it's not playing out in Vietnam’s favor.

In the fifth round, Malaysia made the most of their home advantage - on a field they had temporarily loaned to the opposition - by narrowly defeating Nepal 1-0. That win secured them the top spot in the group with 15 points, six more than Vietnam, ahead of Vietnam's away match against Laos on the evening of November 19.

The six-point gap, combined with the head-to-head disadvantage, makes Vietnam’s remaining task daunting. In order to overtake Malaysia and secure qualification, the Golden Star Warriors must win both of their final matches - one of which is a return leg against Malaysia in March 2026 - and defeat Malaysia by at least four goals.

This requirement stems from Vietnam’s 0-4 defeat to Malaysia in the first leg at Bukit Jalil. In the event of a tie on points, head-to-head results serve as the first tiebreaker.

However, the race isn’t over just yet. Malaysia is currently under scrutiny from FIFA over allegations of improperly naturalizing seven players with unclear citizenship status. If FIFA rules against them, Malaysia could forfeit their matches against Nepal and Vietnam, with 0-3 losses recorded in both.

For now, Vietnam must stay focused on the immediate task at hand: the match against Laos. It’s an opponent Vietnam knows well, and tonight’s game presents an opportunity to close out 2025 with a morale-boosting victory. Kickoff is set for 7:00 PM on November 19, with VietNamNet providing live coverage.

Thien Binh