Gong Oh-kyun’s side finished second with five points, two behind group winners Republic of Korea, who saw off Thailand 1-0 in the simultaneous kick-off.

As the Group C runners-up, Vietnam will face the Group D winners in the last eight.

Vietnamese players celebrate scoring a goal during their match against Malaysia.

Vietnam headed into the match Lokomotiv Stadium knowing that a win against Malaysia would be a must to keep their hopes alive.

The 2018 runners-up put up the pressure from the first whistle and threatened the Malaysian twice in a row with a Nham Manh Dung strike being denied by goalkeeper Firdaus in the 26th minute and Dung Quang Nho going over the bar shortly later.

Vietnam’s stormy attacks paid off in the 28th minute when Nham Manh Dung rose high to head home Nguyen Thanh Nhan’s cross to open the scoring.

Just before half-time, Malaysia’s hope for comeback was dealt a big blow when a VAR review led to Hairiey Hakim not only being penalised for a handball in the area but also red-carded for the offence.

Bui Hoang Viet Anh’s spot kick was saved by Firdaus but the Vietnamese defender quickly slotted home the rebound to make it 2-0.

Vietnam maintained their dominance in the second half and created several opportunities to widen their advantage. However, they could not capitalise on any of them to add a third goal.

Meanwhile, the Malaysians also failed to find the back of the net and exited the competition with their third successive defeat.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam U23s play out goalless draw against the Philippines

Vietnam U23s wasted the chance to snatch Group A’s top spot from the Philippines as the two teams played out a goalless draw in their second match within the 31st Southeast Asian (SEA) Games men’s football event on the evening of May 8.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam U23s demonstrate power with 3-0 rout of Indonesia U23s

Vietnam U23s proved themselves as the favourites for the title by convincingly defeating Indonesia U23s 2-0 in the Group A campaign of the SEA Games 31 men’s football event at Viet Tri Stadium in the northern province of Phu Tho on May 6 evening.

SEA Games 31: Vietnam names 20 players of men’s U23 football squad

Head coach Park Hang-seo on May 4 named a final squad of 20 players for the upcoming 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31).

U23 team to have two friendly matches with U20 RoK before SEA Games 31

Vietnam’s U23 team will have two friendly matches with the U20 team of the Republic of Korea (RoK) before the start of the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31), according to the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF).

Vietnam’s U23 team to face Iraq, Croatia at 2022 Dubai Cup

Vietnam’s U23 team is to play Iraq and Croatia at the 2022 Dubai Cup, which is a friendly tournament scheduled to take place later this March in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Source: NDO