Malaysia to face Vietnam in Suzuki Cup final

Malaysia will face Vietnam in the final of the 2018 ASEAN Football Federation Suzuki Cup, after the latter secured a 4-2 semi-final win over the Philippines on Thursday. The first leg of the final will take place in Kuala Lumpur on 11 December with the return match scheduled for Hanoi four days later. Both teams have already emerged victorious at the tournament once, with Vietnam being crowned winners in 2008 and Malaysia in 2010.

Semi-finals

With a 2-1 advantage from the first leg on Saturday, Vietnam’s Golden Dragons could afford to sit back and soak up the pressure on the second encounter. Just when the game seemed set to end goalless, Vietnam’s Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Cong Phuong struck late for the home side. Minutes later, James Younghusband grabbed a consolation goal for the team managed by the former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson.

The Harimau Malaya, on the other hand, reached the final on away goals after drawing 2-2 with defending champions Thailand in the semi-final.

Vietnam have already defeated Malaysia 2-0 in the group-stage of the tournament.