National U-23 team must rely on other results to reach the SEA Games semi-finals after a 2-0 loss to Vietnam in their final group match.
MALAYSIA’s Harimau Muda suffered a 2-0 defeat to Vietnam in their final Group B match at the Thailand 2025 SEA Games today.
The loss at Rajamangala National Stadium ended their hopes of securing early qualification for the semi-finals.
Vietnam opened the scoring in the 11th minute through Nguyen Hieu Minh’s header from a Nguyen Dinh Bac cross.
They doubled their lead in the 22nd minute when Pham Minh Phuc converted from close range after a defensive error.
Malaysia showed more organisation in the second half but failed to convert several clear chances.
The result means Vietnam top Group B with six points, securing an automatic semi-final berth.
Malaysia finish second with three points and must now qualify as one of the best runners-up.
Their fate depends on the result of Thursday’s final Group C match between Indonesia and Myanmar.
The Philippines are the only other team confirmed for the semi-finals after topping Group C.
Malaysia last reached the SEA Games podium in 2017, winning a silver medal on home soil.
They exited in the group stage in 2023 and lost the bronze-medal playoff in 2021.
