KUALA LUMPUR: Vietnam seem to be getting further and further ahead of Malaysia in football.
The Golden Star sparkled as vibrant Vietnam routed Malaysia 3-0 in the AFF Cup at Bishan Stadium in Singapore today.
Five months ago, in the pre-World Cup in Dubai, Vietnam were just one goal better than Malaysia, having to battle hard for a slim 2-1 win.
But today, there is no question who is better as Vietnam hit three goals past Malaysia without reply.
Malaysia, after their "feel good" wins over Cambodia (3-1) and Laos (4-0) must have thought that they were good enough to stand a chance against Vietnam.
However, when the final whistle was blown, Vietnam showed why they are world No 99, and Malaysia a distant world No. 154. Class does tell.
But the Malaysians can't help feeling that they could have limited the damage if their team had not been hamstrung by Covid and injuries. Coach Tan Cheng Hoe had to do without four players after they tested positive.
And more woes for the depleted Malaysian team when they lost influential captain Aidil Zafuan Radzak in the 21st minute (replaced by Dominic Tan) to injury.
Without Aidil and Shahrul Saad, who was taken off, injured, in the 69th minute, the Malaysian defence buckled under the Vietnamese attack.
Vietnam, the defending champions, scored in the 32nd minute through Nguyen Quang Hai, 36th minute (Nguyen Cong Phuong) and 89th minute (Nguyen Hoang Duc).
Cheng Hoe brought in naturalised Brazilian Guilherme de Paula and Kogileswaran Raj for Luqman Hakim Shamsudin and Mukhairi Ajmal Mahadi respectively in the second half. It didn't change anything, De Paula had a shot at goal in the 71st minute but nothing came off it.
Cheng Hoe said: "We weren't able to keep ball possession in the first half. It's a big lesson for us.
"I don't think we were surprised, because we had played them many times before.
"It was only tactical (changes made) and Vietnam had good preparation. They were also a step ahead of us in the World Cup qualifiers.
"In football, I always mentioned that if you lose even one second of concentration, the opponent will get a chance to score," added Cheng Hoe who felt that the Malaysian players were not focused enough in the first half.
Vietnam coach Park Hang-seo said: "Whenever we play Malaysia, it is a tough game, so I am happy."
He felt that the Vietnam goalkeeper played well to deny Malaysia. "Before the game, I had a discussion with the goalkeeper coach, and he said to use No. 23 (Tran Nguyen Manh), so I made the decision."
In an earlier Group B match today, Indonesia thumped Laos 5-1.