Vietnamese fans' reaction to AFC awarding a loss to the Malaysian team

According to AFC, based on Article 25.1 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code, Malaysia was awarded a 0-3 loss in both matches due to using ineligible players, regardless of the actual results previously achieved on the field.

In addition to the professional penalties, the Malaysian Football Association was also fined $50,000 by AFC and must complete payment within 30 days from the date of notification, as stipulated in Article 11.3 of the AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Code.

The adjustment of results led to significant changes in points and professional statistics in Group F. Consequently, Malaysia, from the leading position with a perfect record (15 points after 5 matches), lost 6 points, remaining with 9 points, and its goal difference dropped from +14 to +2 (scored 9 goals, conceded 7 goals). Meanwhile, the Vietnamese national team gained an additional 3-0 victory from the direct encounter, raising its total points to 15 points and improving its goal difference from +6 to +13 (14 goals scored, 1 goal conceded), climbing to the top of Group F with a perfect record after 5 matches.

Upon learning this information, many supporters and professionals also provided their assessments regarding the Asian Football Confederation's disciplinary decision against the Malaysian team.

According to Mr. Pham Thang (Nhu Quynh, Hung Yen), a football fan who regularly follows the Vietnamese national team's matches: By issuing the penalty against the Malaysian team, the Asian Football Confederation has upheld fairness, objectivity, and the spirit of sports. This outcome is deserved for our team. He believes that in the upcoming home match against Malaysia on March 31, Coach Kim Sang-sik's squad will play with dedication; a victory over Malaysia would both demonstrate the capability and caliber of Vietnamese football and improve Vietnam's position on FIFA's world football rankings.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Hau (Long Bien, Hanoi) shared: "This is truly a deserved result for the efforts and contributions our team has shown in this tournament. From the moment the Group F teams were announced, the Vietnamese national team was considered a strong contender for the top spot and a ticket to advance. Nonetheless, congratulations to the Vietnamese national team players; we will continue to compete wholeheartedly, contribute in the tournament's Final Round, and achieve the best results to dedicate to fans nationwide."

As a long-time sports journalist, journalist Nguyen Viet Anh (Channel VOV2, Voice of Vietnam Radio) stated: This is a reasonable outcome. Given the regional football level's limitations, a team resorting to "tricks" to achieve victory is unfair to the remaining teams. Considering the strength comparison, Vietnamese football has surpassed Malaysian football in recent years and become one of Southeast Asia's top teams, so losing a match 4-0 is highly improbable. Congratulations to the Vietnamese national team players for achieving their group stage goals and securing a ticket to the Asian Cup 2027 Final Round.

According to the schedule, the Vietnamese national team will host Malaysia in the final Group F match, taking place on March 31, 2026 at Thien Truong Stadium (Ninh Binh). Although it no determines the final ranking, the match is still expected to be a noteworthy contest, meaningful for accumulating points on the FIFA rankings, maintaining form, and preparing for the journey in the Asian Cup 2027 Final Round.