Vietnam 2-0 Malaysia: Xuan Son Header and VAR Drama Decide ASEAN Cup Semifinal First Leg

Defending champions Vietnam seized control of their 2026 ASEAN Hyundai Cup semifinal with a 2-0 away victory over Malaysia at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras on August 16 . The result gives Vietnam a clear path to the final ahead of the second leg at Mỹ Đình Stadium in Hanoi on Wednesday, August 19 .

How the goals unfolded

Vietnam broke the deadlock deep into first-half stoppage time. Truong Tien Anh delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank, and Brazilian-born striker Nguyễn Xuân Son — also known as Rafaelson — met it with a powerful diving header that left Malaysian goalkeeper Azri Ghani with no chance .

The second goal came in the 86th minute. Substitute Quang Hải threaded a pass through to Đình Bắc, and Malaysian defender Faris Danish, in attempting to intercept, inadvertently turned the ball into his own net .

VAR controversy: Lê Giang Patrik's red card reversed

The match's most dramatic moment arrived in the 61st minute. Goalkeeper Lê Giang Patrik rushed outside his penalty area to challenge Malaysian forward Sumareh and was initially shown a straight red card by Uzbek referee Rustam Lutfullin for handball . Linesman Akmal G'iyosov had flagged for the offense .

After a video assistant referee (VAR) review, Lutfullin overturned his own decision and rescinded the red card, allowing Lê Giang to remain on the pitch . Reports indicate the referee concluded that the goalkeeper had not deliberately handled the ball or that the contact did not meet the threshold for a sending-off .

Lê Giang had been one of Vietnam's best performers on the night. Statistics website Sofascore rated him 7.8, the highest mark on the pitch, after he made three saves — all from clear goal-scoring opportunities — including a late stop against Paulo Josue .

What the result means for the return leg

Vietnam carries a 2-0 aggregate lead and two away goals into the second leg at Mỹ Đình Stadium in Hanoi on August 19 .

Malaysia's task is steep: they must win by at least two goals to force extra time, or by three goals to advance outright. Given Vietnam's defensive organization and the hostile atmosphere expected in Hanoi, most observers consider the tie all but decided .

Crucially for Vietnam, Lê Giang Patrik will be available for the return leg after his red card was rescinded, keeping head coach Kim Sang-sik's first-choice goalkeeper in the squad .