VFF responds as AFC delays ruling on Malaysia

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) stated that the Vietnam national team continues to actively prepare for the match against Malaysia, despite AFC not yet announcing the final ruling regarding this team's naturalized player case.

The Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) indicated that the Vietnam national team remains proactively preparing professionally for the return match against Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, amidst the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) not having issued a final decision concerning this team's naturalized player scandal. According to VFF, regardless of whether AFC's decision comes early or late, the Vietnam national team is fully focused on the immediate professional objectives.

A VFF official stated that AFC's ruling could significantly impact the tactical and personnel considerations of the teams in Group F. If Malaysia faces point deductions or loses naturalized players due to disciplinary sanctions, the group standings could change considerably. However, Coach Kim Sang ik and his staff are preparing the squad proactively for all scenarios.

According to the plan, the Vietnam national team will have a friendly match against Bangladesh on March 26th at Hang Day Stadium to review the lineup and refine tactics. This is considered a crucial preparatory step before the encounter with Malaysia on March 31st within the framework of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Previously, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) issued a ruling maintaining the penalty imposed by the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on seven Malaysian players for using invalid documentation in their naturalization process. The players, including Joao Figueiredo, Jon Irazabal, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Hector Hevel, Gabriel Palmero, and Facundo Garces, are suspended for 12 months from official matches.

If regulations are strictly applied, Malaysia could be handed a 0-3 defeat in both matches against Vietnam and Nepal due to using ineligible players. This means the team risks a deduction of 6 points in Group F and even faces potential disqualification from the 2031 Asian Cup.

Currently, Malaysia leads Group F with 15 points, 3 points more than the Vietnam national team. If penalized with a 6-point deduction, this team would drop to 9 points and fall to second place, thereby giving the Vietnam national team a significant advantage in the race for progression in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.