Vietnam faces Malaysia for the fifth time in 2025

Vietnamese football continues to deepen its connection with Malaysia, with the national team and youth levels all competing against this rival in 2025, resulting in a rare sequence of frequent clashes.

Vietnamese football is undergoing a unique phase with consecutive matches against Malaysia across five different competitions. These back-to-back confrontations not only highlight direct competition but also reflect a longstanding rivalry in Southeast Asia that has persisted for many years.

A challenging match and a citizenship controversy shaking Asian football

Vietnam’s men’s team suffered a 0-4 defeat to Malaysia on June 10 during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, but the situation might shift after FIFA rejected Malaysia Football Association’s appeal concerning sanctions related to seven naturalized players. Should the AFC uphold the disciplinary ruling, Malaysia is likely to forfeit with a 0-3 loss, which would benefit Vietnam’s standing in the group.

According to FIFA’s records, FAM and the seven players violated Article 22 of the Disciplinary Code. Although Malaysia must complete the remaining matches, the high chance of forfeiture threatens their advancement hopes. The rematch with Vietnam in March 2026 thus carries special significance, with one side fighting to preserve honor and the other aiming to assert dominance over their long-time rival.

Three fiery battles at SEA Games 33

SEA Games 33 continues the rivalry between Vietnam and Malaysia with three encounters. In men’s football, Vietnam’s U22 is in Group B alongside Malaysia and Laos, partially mirroring the group from the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers. The decisive match for the top spot between U22 Vietnam and U22 Malaysia is scheduled for December 11. Meanwhile, the women’s team will face Malaysia on December 5 in a tough group featuring Myanmar and the Philippines, promising intense matches right from the group stage at the SEA Games in Thailand.

In men’s futsal, the two football nations continue their rivalry with only five teams competing in a single round-robin format. The match between Vietnam and Malaysia on December 16 is considered crucial for the red-shirted squad’s ambition to win gold. The women’s futsal event is one of the few without Malaysia in the same group, but the rivalry between the two football cultures remains palpable throughout the tournament atmosphere.

A relentless battle for continental dreams

The rivalry between Vietnam and Malaysia extends to youth levels as their U17 teams prepare to face off in the 2026 AFC U17 qualifiers on November 30 at the PVF Football Training Center. Under coach Cristiano Roland, Vietnam’s squad is undergoing high-quality training in Japan to perfect their lineup, aiming for a tense showdown where the ultimate goal is securing a spot in the continental finals while the competitive fire between the two football nations shows no sign of cooling.

An unending rivalry between two football cultures

From the senior national team down to the U17 level, the successive encounters between Vietnam and Malaysia are weaving a special narrative of competition in 2025. Beyond just sporting challenges, each meeting ignites pride and the desire to affirm regional status. Can Vietnamese football turn this “destined rivalry” into a winning streak to close 2025 on a high note?

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