Indonesian media surprised by Vietnam's decision ahead of the match against Malaysia

Indonesian media expressed surprise as Vietnam decided against hosting the match at Mỹ Đình Stadium, opting for Thiên Trường instead for the decisive group game versus Malaysia in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

The Indonesian media showed astonishment at the Vietnam Football Federation's (VFF) choice not to hold the "group final" against Malaysia at Mỹ Đình Stadium during the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

According to Indonesian news sources, Vietnam’s move away from the iconic Mỹ Đình National Stadium, a symbol of Vietnamese football, is considered an unpredictable step given the high stakes of the match against Malaysia. The two teams will meet in the final round of Group F on March 31, 2026, where only the group winner secures direct qualification to the 2027 Asian Cup finals in Saudi Arabia.

After five matches, Malaysia leads the group with a perfect 15 points, while Vietnam trails closely with 12 points. The 0-4 loss in the first leg at Bukit Jalil forces Vietnam to win by at least a four-goal margin to control their path to top the group. Therefore, VFF’s decision not to use Mỹ Đình raised significant questions in Indonesian media.

Instead, VFF selected Thiên Trường Stadium, home of Nam Định FC, the current V.League champions. This stadium holds around 30,000 spectators but is famed for its passionate atmosphere and intense pressure on visiting teams. Indonesian media suggest this might be a psychological strategy by Vietnam to maximize home advantage, prioritizing atmosphere over stadium capacity.

Indonesian press, citing Vietnamese sources, reported that VFF obtained permission from local authorities to host the match at Thiên Trường and arranged friendly matches during the FIFA international window in March 2026 to help players acclimate to the pitch.

Besides the sporting aspect, Indonesian media also focused on off-field scenarios. Malaysia faces a potential FIFA forfeit due to a controversy over player naturalization. If sanctions are imposed, the standings in Group F could dramatically change, giving Vietnam a significant advantage.

In the eyes of Indonesian journalists, Vietnam’s choice to "leave Mỹ Đình" not only surprised but also demonstrated careful calculation for this crucial match, where every detail—from pitch conditions and crowd to psychological factors—could directly impact the ticket to the 2027 Asian Cup.