The Vietnamese national football team is gearing up to face Malaysia in the first leg of the AFF Cup 2026 semifinals, aiming to break a long-standing streak where they have never defeated Malaysia in this stage of the tournament. Defender Truong Tien Anh stated that the team is focused and ready to give their all in the upcoming match.

On August 12, the team held their final training session at My Dinh Stadium before departing for Malaysia. During the session, they celebrated midfielder Quang Hai, who recently became the player with the most caps in the history of the national team. Tien Anh addressed the media, emphasizing that the team is not concerned about the past statistics against Malaysia, stating, "We are focused on our preparation and not letting previous records affect us. We must play against any opponent regardless of history."

Vietnam's coaching staff has conducted thorough research on Malaysia, analyzing their strengths and weaknesses to ensure optimal preparation. Tien Anh acknowledged the challenge posed by Malaysia, particularly when playing on their home ground. He stressed the importance of determination and teamwork, stating, "The team has been united and worked hard throughout the group stage, and this unity will be crucial in overcoming the challenges ahead."

Despite Malaysia's head coach Tan Cheng Hoe labeling Vietnam as the favorite, Tien Anh argued that in the semifinals, no team can be deemed superior before the match. He reiterated the respect the team has for their opponents, emphasizing that every match requires full commitment from the players.

In recent training sessions, the coaching staff has focused on addressing defensive lapses that were identified during the group stage. Tien Anh expressed optimism about the team's defensive readiness for the upcoming match. He also provided an update on teammate Van Vi, who missed a training session due to a minor toe injury, assuring that it is not serious.

The Vietnamese team will depart for Malaysia on August 13, aiming to establish a favorable position before returning home for the second leg of the semifinals. They are determined to break the trend of not having won against Malaysia in previous AFF Cup semifinals.