Vietnam kept the pressure on Malaysia after digging deep to beat Laos 2-0 in their AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Qualifiers Final Round Group F tie at Lao National Stadium KM16 last night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vietnam still trail table toppers Malaysia by six points, having also previously lost 0-4 to the Malaysia. To secure qualification and overtake Malaysia, Vietnam must win both of their final matches \u2013 including against Malaysia in the return leg next March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the task seems to be daunting, Vietnam is also likely to pip Malaysia, who are currently embroiled in fielding ineligible players in their loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Sept. 26, FIFA announced sanctions on FAM and imposed a one-year suspension on seven naturalized Malaysian players, including Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal (Spain), Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca (Argentina), Joao Figueiredo (Brazil), and Hector Hevel (Netherlands). The players were accused of using falsified documents during their naturalization process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decision was affirmed by their appeals committee and Malaysia now wants to appeal the ruling with the Court of Arbitration of Sports (CAS).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And if the appeal to CAS also fails, Malaysia are likely to face further sanctions from the Asian Football Confederation (AFC). The AFC in all probability would forfeit their matches against Nepal and Vietnam, with 0-3 losses recorded in both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier last month AFC secretary Windsor John Paul had confirmed same, emphasizing that the rule was clearly stated in the AFC and continental tournament regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vietnam, however, were not waiting for the decisions off the field and are doing all they can on field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nguyen Xuan Son, returning to action for Vietnam for the first time since January, and Pham Tuan Hai scored in the second half to take their team back to three points behind Malaysia with the sides to meet in March to decide the group winners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It was a lively affair in the first half with both sides showing their attacking intent, Bounphachan Bounkong looked to bend an effort past Dang Van Lam as early as the third minute but the Vietnam keeper was equal to the effort.
Nguyen Tien Linh was the main dangerman for Vietnam with the forward striking a fierce shot from distance which Anoulak Vilaphonh saved before quick passing opened up the space for the Ho Chi Minh City FC player in the 31st minute but he blazed his shot high over the bar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The visitors went close again five minutes later when a deflected pass fell kindly into the path of Nguyen Hoang Duc in the box but the midfielder\u2019s strike at the near post was matched by Vilaphonh\u2019s anticipation to push the ball away.
Xuan Son was one of three changes Kim Sang-sik made at the start of the second half to spruce up the attack with the star striker at the heart of everything going forward for Vietnam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hoang Duc fizzed a pass to Xuan Son who laid the ball for Pham on the hour mark with the latter effort smacking the crossbar and that was a prelude of what was to come from the boosted Vietnam attack.
Pham\u2019s surging run into the box earned Vietnam a penalty after his cross was blocked by Phetdavanh Somsanid with his hands, with Xuan Son dispatching his spot-kick home in the 68th minute with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laos tried to fight back but ended up conceding a second in stoppage time to an acrobatic Pham strike.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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