Vietnam's national football team secured a contentious victory over Malaysia in the ASEAN Cup, drawing attention to an incident involving player Nguyễn Hai Long. The match, held at My Dinh Stadium, ended with a 2-0 scoreline in favor of Vietnam, allowing them to progress in the tournament. However, the victory was overshadowed by a controversial moment in the 57th minute.

During the match, Nguyễn Hai Long was involved in a play with Malaysian player Mohamadou Sumareh. As Sumareh attempted to challenge for the ball, he slipped and fell, leading to a situation where Hai Long appeared to step on his opponent's foot. Referee Yusuke Ohashi initially indicated a foul against Malaysia and was preparing to issue a card to Hai Long. However, after a review, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) opted not to intervene, allowing Vietnam to substitute Hai Long without further punishment.

ESPN highlighted the moment as a pivotal point in the match, noting that had VAR been consulted, Hai Long might have faced a penalty. Following the incident, Hai Long was replaced by Nguyễn Xuân Son, who quickly made an impact by scoring the opening goal just minutes after entering the game. This substitution proved crucial, as Xuân Son later added another goal, cementing Vietnam's victory.

The match showcased Vietnam's dominance, with the team displaying superior performance throughout. Despite Malaysia's commendable effort to reach the semifinals with a depleted squad, they were unable to overcome Vietnam's strong play. The loss was not seen as a disgrace, given the circumstances Malaysia faced, including injuries and a lack of key players.

As Vietnam prepares for the final against Thailand, they are hopeful of defending their ASEAN Cup title. Xuân Son's recent form has given the team confidence, as they aim for their fourth regional championship. The first leg of the final will take place on August 22 in Bangkok, followed by the return leg on August 26 in Vietnam.