Indonesian media predicts the outcome of the U22 Vietnam vs. Malaysia match.

Before this match, U22 Vietnam had the same 3 points as U22 Malaysia, but coach Kim Sang Sik's team was ranked lower due to an inferior goal difference. In the SEA Games 33, the top three teams in the three groups and the best second-placed team will qualify for the semi-finals. Given that the second-placed teams in groups A and C are unlikely to earn more than 3 points, U22 Vietnam and U22 Malaysia only need a draw to advance.

Báo Indonesia dự đoán kết quả trận U22 Việt Nam gặp Malaysia - 1 — The U22 Vietnam team's performance against U22 Laos was unconvincing (Photo: Anh Khoa).

This is the scenario that Indonesian media fears most. Because in that case, the Indonesian U22 team would certainly be eliminated without even needing to play in tomorrow's match against Myanmar U22.

Ahead of the match, Indonesian experts believed that the Vietnam U22 team was capable of defeating the Malaysia U22 team.

Expert M. Rizki commented: “The U22 Vietnam and U22 Malaysia teams will face off in a decisive match at the 2025 SEA Games. Only with a win or loss in this match can U22 Indonesia hope to advance. Otherwise, Garuda (Indonesia's nickname) will be eliminated in the group stage if the U22 Vietnam and U22 Malaysia teams draw.”

The match is expected to be evenly matched. Vietnam U22 possesses a quality squad and plays a well-organized game under coach Kim Sang Sik. Meanwhile, Malaysia U22 cannot field their strongest lineup due to many players being unavailable by their clubs or suffering injuries. I predict Vietnam U22 will win against Malaysia U22 with a score of 2-0.”

Expert Abdul Susila also expressed confidence in coach Kim Sang Sik and his team: “The Vietnam U22 team is the champion of the 2025 Southeast Asian U23 Championship. Before participating in the 2025 SEA Games, they had a training camp in China and prepared very seriously.”

Meanwhile, the Malaysian U22 team is facing numerous problems, including a troublesome issue with FIFA regarding the naturalization records of seven players. However, the Malaysian U22 team still possesses the potential to spring a surprise. Considering various factors, the Vietnamese U22 team has a basis to defeat Malaysia. Therefore, I predict that Coach Kim Sang Sik's team will win 2-1 or 1-0.”

Báo Indonesia dự đoán kết quả trận U22 Việt Nam gặp Malaysia - 2 — Many experts predict that Vietnam U22 will win against Malaysia U22 (Photo: Tien Tuan).

Expert Jun Mahares expressed confidence in the Malaysian U22 team: “Coach Nafuzi Zain's team seems to be underestimated when facing the Vietnamese U22 team. But that will become a motivation for them.”

Harimau Malaya Muda (the nickname of the Malaysian U22 team) played more convincingly, winning against Laos in their opening match. It's not impossible that they could cause an upset against Vietnam, a team that hasn't yet shown its best form. I predict Malaysia U22 will beat Vietnam U22 1-0.”

Expert Nova Arifianto mentioned the worst-case scenario for Indonesian football if the match between the U22 Malaysia and U22 Vietnam teams ends in a draw. He said: "Both teams beat U22 Laos, but the way they earned the three points was very different."

The U22 Malaysia team showed more convincing form. Despite a poor start, the "Young Tigers" finished the match impressively. Meanwhile, Khuất Văn Khang and his teammates failed to showcase the strength of a team considered a championship contender in the first 90 minutes.

I predict the match between Vietnam U22 and Malaysia U22 will end in a draw. Vietnam U22 may have more possession, but they are not yet fully polished, making it difficult for them to beat their opponent. The final score will be 1-1.”