Vietnam Team Ratings: Le Giang, Truong Tien Anh, and Xuan Son Shine Brightest

Vietnam claimed a 2-0 win against Malaysia in the opening semifinal match of the 2026 ASEAN Cup, a contest that was far from easy.

Coach Kim Sang Sik's squad faced considerable pressure at certain moments, especially after goalkeeper Le Giang was initially sent off only for VAR to overturn the red card. However, a solid defense, effective game control, and a moment of brilliance from Xuan Son gave Vietnam a significant advantage heading into the return leg.

Le Giang – 9 points: He made several crucial saves, notably a rush out to clear the ball early in the second half. Though he received a red card in the 61st minute, VAR determined the decision was incorrect and rescinded it. Overall, Le Giang provided considerable reassurance to the backline.

Bui Hoang Viet Anh – 8 points: Solid at the heart of the defense, he frequently appeared at the right moment to stop Malaysia's breakthroughs. Viet Anh was especially vital when Malaysia quickly transitioned play.

Thanh Chung – 8 points: Played with full commitment and aggression. He made several important tackles, notably a decisive stop to prevent Sumareh from breaking through early in the second half. A well-rounded performance from the center-back.

Xuan Manh – 9 points: One of the standout defenders. Xuan Manh was solid, actively contested duels, and maintained support both in defense and ball distribution. His consistency significantly limited Malaysia's attacking threat.

Truong Tien Anh – 9 points: A bright spot on the right flank. He constantly joined the attack and left his mark with a precise cross that Xuan Son headed home to open the scoring in the 45+4th minute. This was a turning point in the match.

Van Vi – 8 points: Energetic on the left flank, pushing forward aggressively from the early minutes. He delivered a dangerous cross for Xuan Son in the 3rd minute.

Thanh Long – 9 points: Worked tirelessly in midfield, helping Vietnam maintain balance between defense and attack. He played with discipline, supported ball recovery, and contributed to limiting Malaysia's build-up play.

Hoang Duc – 9 points: One of the players who made a difference in organization. He frequently looked to move the ball forward with incisive passes. His through ball for Dinh Bac in the 17th minute showcased his vision and execution.

Tai Loc – 8 points: Played energetically and moved well off the ball. He set up Xuan Son for a volley in the 42nd minute and created several other pressure situations on Malaysia's defense. Was substituted in the 70th minute.

Dinh Bac – 8 points: Made many positive runs and constantly sought to exploit spaces. He had a chance from Hoang Duc's through ball and fired a shot from distance in the 45+1st minute. Dinh Bac also received a through ball from Quang Hai that led to the second goal.

Xuan Son – 9 points: The most outstanding attacker. Xuan Son constantly pressured Malaysia's defense and finally broke the deadlock with a precise header in the 45+4th minute. His movement, battling, and hold-up play gave Vietnam more attacking options.

Hoang Hen – 7 points: Came on for Tai Loc in the 70th minute but didn't have enough time to make a clear impact. He mainly helped the team maintain shape during Vietnam's shift to counter-attacking defense.

Quang Hai – 7 points: Introduced in the 81st minute and quickly made his mark with set-piece deliveries. Most importantly, he threaded a through ball to Dinh Bac in the 86th minute, forcing Faris Danish to deflect the ball into his own net. Despite limited playing time, Quang Hai directly contributed to the second goal.