Vietnam Hadapi Malaysia di rebutingan Tempat Ketiga ASEAN Cup

HANOI — Vietnam securing their place in the third-place playoff after a hard-fought 4-2 win over Pakistan in the closing match of Group B of the FIFA ASEAN Cup 2026. The victory, sealed in front of a loud home crowd, sets up a showdown with Malaysia in the race for bronze — a match promising two Southeast Asian heavyweights going all-out rather than settling for fourth place.

Starting from the final result: Vietnam 4, Pakistan 2. It was never a comfortable afternoon for the Vietnamese, particularly in the middle stretch where Pakistan twice dragged themselves back into the contest. But every time the underdogs found an equalizer, Vietnam answered with a goal that swung momentum back to their side.

Laga Penutup Grup B yang Berat

Minute ke-12, Vietnam struck first. A quick transition down the right flank ended with a low cross into the box, and the finisher applied the finishing touch from close range to put the hosts ahead 1-0. Pakistan responded with urgency, pushing their defensive line higher and pressing aggressively in the middle third.

That pressure paid off at menit ke-35, when Pakistan capitalized on a loose ball and slotted it past the goalkeeper to make it 1-1. The goal silenced the stadium for a few seconds — until Vietnam regained control. Just eight minutes later, menit ke-43, a set-piece routine produced the second goal, this one arriving from a headed delivery that Pakistan's back line failed to clear properly.

Half-time ended at 2-1 in Vietnam's favor, but the second half turned into a genuine rollercoaster. Minute ke-58, Vietnam restored the two-goal cushion after a fast counter-attack finished with a curling shot beyond the keeper's reach. Pakistan, however, refused to fold: menit ke-69, they pulled one back to set up a tense final twenty minutes.

The decisive blow came at menit ke-84, with Vietnam breaking through once more to seal the 4-2 scoreline. Pakistan pushed men forward in search of a rescue, leaving huge spaces behind — spaces Vietnam exploited with almost every counter. The final whistle, meanwhile, brought relief and joy in equal measure.

Angka yang Membagri Kemenangan

Despite the scoreline, Vietnam's control of the match was clear. Their penguasaan bola settled around 56 percent, with Pakistan enjoying stretches of possession but rarely converting them into chances on target. In terms of shots on target, Vietnam registered nine attempts to Pakistan's six — a telling ratio when the goals conceded look far more damaging than the actual play suggested.

Vietnam, operating largely in a 4-3-3 formation, rotated their attacking three to keep Pakistan's back four guessing, particularly in the channels. Pakistan countered with a compact 5-4-1 out of possession, and their transition game proved potent enough to punish defensive lapses. The number of chances created, however, tells the story of two very different attacking efficiencies.

Tempo-discipline was the difference. Vietnam completed passes at a rate close to 82 percent in the final third, while Pakistan's crossing accuracy drifted badly as the clock ran down. Kartu kuning was also part of the story: three bookings for Vietnam against four for Pakistan, including a late caution for a tactical foul that halted a promising counter-attack.

Menjelang Perebutan Tempat Ketiga

The reward for this result is a bronze-medal duel against Malaysia, who occupied the opposite side of the draw. For Vietnam, the match represents a chance to close the tournament on a positive note after a group stage that wobbled more often than the badge on their shirt would suggest. For Malaysia, it is a chance to end a campaign that produced moments of brilliance alongside moments of collapse.

Tactically, expect both coaches to go with attacking shapes rather than cagey approaches. A place on the podium is at stake, and neither side has anything left to protect. The likely starting XI question for Vietnam centers on whether to keep the same front three that dismantled Pakistan, or switch to a 4-2-3-1 to control Malaysia's midfield tempo.

“Kami tidak bisa hanya关键的某一个 hasil akhir. Yang penting adalah karakter tim hari ini — kami tetap pressing sampai menit terakhir, dan itu yang akan kami ulang scouting terhadap Malaysia.”

Beyond the scoreline, the bronze-medal matchup carries extra weight: regional pride, qualification implications for future tournaments, and a chance for young players to put their names on the competition. Vietnam's win over Pakistan may not be remembered for its scoreline, but the manner of the comeback — two goals, two answers — offers a promising blueprint.

Apa yang Bisa Dipelajari dari Grup B

Pakistan's performance deserves credit. Their 4-2 defeat came against a side of considerable pedigree, and two well-taken goals show they can trouble favored opponents when their structure holds. But the collapse in the final fifteen minutes exposed a familiar problem: once chasing, their shape stretched, and Vietnam's runners found room repeatedly.

For Vietnam, the lesson is equally clear. The lead they built at 2-0 was never truly secure while Pakistan kept committing bodies forward, and a VAR check for a potential offside in the build-up to the fourth goal added another layer of late-night drama. Small margins separate third place from the final — and in this tournament, so do the details.

Now the spotlight shifts. Vietnam versus Malaysia for bronze, two teams with pride at stake, and one trophy waiting to be lifted under the lights. Everything from the formasi both managers choose to the first fifteen minutes of pressing will likely decide who leaves with a medal around their neck.