Malaysian legend unexpectedly advised his team to be really smart to compete with U.23 Vietnam

Sharing on Astro channel, Malaysian football legend Safee Sali said that U.23 Vietnam will be a huge obstacle for U.23 Malaysia at SEA Games 33.

"U.23 Vietnam is a difficult challenge, U.23 Malaysia must be determined"

The men's football event of the 33rd SEA Games will take place from December 3 to 18, with the teams competing in a round-robin format, with the top three teams in each group and the second-placed team with the best record advancing to the semi-finals. According to the draw results on October 19, U.23 Malaysia is in Group B with U.23 Vietnam and U.23 Laos. Malaysian media and football experts consider this a very difficult group for coach Nafuzi Zain and his team.

“U.23 Malaysia must play smart and with determination in the upcoming two group stage matches. U.23 Vietnam is an extremely difficult opponent while the match against U.23 Laos is also not easy for U.23 Malaysia, especially when this team has made remarkable progress recently,” said former Malaysian football star Safee Sali.

U.23 Malaysia (yellow shirt) is not in good form in 2025

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

Notably, in 2025, U.23 Malaysia also did not have the best form. U.23 Malaysia did not compete successfully at the U.23 Southeast Asian tournament in July, including a shocking 0-2 loss to U.23 Philippines and was eliminated in the group stage. In the U.23 Asian qualifiers in September, they were also eliminated after losing to U.23 Lebanon 0-1 and U.23 Thailand 1-2, only winning a consolation match against U.23 Mongolia 7-0. Safee Sali believes that if they do not quickly improve their playing style, it will be difficult for U.23 Malaysia to make a difference when facing U.23 Vietnam.

Mr. Safee Sali commented: “I think the match against U.23 Vietnam will be extremely tense and difficult for U.23 Malaysia. Therefore, the playing style of the U.23 Malaysia team when facing U.23 Vietnam must have great cohesion. The players on the field must be aware that they are carrying a great responsibility.”

Mr. Safee Sali continued to emphasize: "In every action, the players must think for the team. I hope that past losses can help U.23 Malaysia learn a lot of experience. Winning is important, but the players need to be smarter in how they react and behave."

U.23 Malaysia cannot compare in strength with U.23 Vietnam...

Sharing the same opinion with the legend Safee Sali, journalist Oleh Bernama of Bharian website commented that U.23 Vietnam will be a tough opponent for U.23 Malaysia in Thailand.

Mr. Oleh Bernama shared: “Under the guidance of coach Nafuzi Zain, U.23 Malaysia will have to face U.23 Vietnam. This is a huge challenge for the young Malaysian team in their journey to reach the semi-finals, especially when the format of the 33rd SEA Games is very harsh - only the group winner is safe. Fortunately, host Thailand is in Group A with Cambodia and Timor Leste, while Group C includes Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines and Singapore.”

U.23 Vietnam is highly appreciated by Malaysian media in group B.

PHOTO: DONG NGUYEN KHANG

“The last time Malaysia won a gold medal was at the 2011 SEA Games in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the silver medal at the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur was the last time we appeared on the podium in men's football. Overall, the U.23 Malaysia team is not very strong at this time. Mr. Nafuzi Zain's team does not have many outstanding players, it is difficult to compare with teams like U.23 Vietnam, Thailand or even Indonesia,” journalist Oleh Bernama concluded.

Safee Sali is considered one of the legends of Malaysian football, having played 76 times for the national team and scored 23 goals. He was a part of the “attacking triangle” Safee-Talaha-Safiq, contributing greatly to helping Malaysia win the AFF Cup 2010. That year, Malaysia defeated the Vietnamese team in the semi-finals and also beat the Indonesian team in the final.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/huyen-thoai-malaysia-bat-ngo-khuyen-doi-nha-phai-that-thong-minh-moi-dau-noi-u23-viet-nam-185251021125520977.htm