The Vietnam national team must not be complacent after what happened 12 years ago.

The 2-0 victory right on Malaysian soil in the first leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup semifinals gives the Vietnam national team a huge advantage in the race to the final.

However, in top-level football, a two-goal lead has never been an "absolute safety ticket". The history of this very tournament, especially the painful memory of the 2014 AFF Cup, remains the clearest warning for coach Kim Sang-sik and his team to keep their feet on the ground.

In fact, the performance of the Vietnam team in the first leg showed a certain superiority in tactical organization, chance conversion, and competitive spirit. However, regional experts also assessed that Malaysia was not entirely inferior, even creating significant pressure at times and "did not deserve to lose by two goals" as evaluated by the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). This means that the current gap could still be closed if the red-shirted team loses focus in the second leg.

The biggest lesson must certainly be the 2014 AFF Cup. At that time, under coach Toshiya Miura, Vietnam also won 2-1 away to Malaysia in the first leg of the semifinals. That advantage seemed enough for the team to advance to the final, especially when the second leg was played at My Dinh. However, a nightmare scenario occurred: the defense made consecutive mistakes, allowing Malaysia to score 4 goals and win 5-4 on aggregate. It was one of the most shocking defeats for Vietnamese football at the regional level.

Looking back at that defeat, it can be seen that the cause was not purely professional but mainly psychological. Complacency after the first-leg victory, coupled with the pressure of protecting the advantage at home, caused the players to lose their composure. When the opponent scored early, the whole team fell into a state of confusion, leading to a chain of errors. This is precisely what the current Vietnam team needs to avoid.

Under coach Kim Sang-sik, the team is maintaining an impressive run of form with stability in both attack and defense. However, football always contains unpredictable variables, especially in two-legged knockout matches. Malaysia will certainly have nothing to lose in the second leg. They will have to push high, increase pressure from the start, which could create spaces but also pose great risks for Vietnam's defense if they do not maintain maximum concentration.

The difference of the current Vietnam team compared to 2014 lies in match experience and competitive temperament. Many players have been through major tournaments and understand the harsh nature of knockout matches. However, experience only brings value when accompanied by tactical discipline and a serious attitude. A moment of carelessness can make all advantages disappear.

From a tactical perspective, Vietnam does not need to play defensive football, but should not be overly risky either. Controlling the game, maintaining a reasonable team shape, and making good use of counter-attacking opportunities will be the key to preserving the advantage. More importantly, the team needs to stay calm in the face of any changes, especially during sensitive moments of the match.