All hope for reaching the semi-final round of 27th Southeast Asian Games men’s football event of the Vietnamese team vaporized within the last 14 minutes of the game with two goals scored by their Malaysian rivals at Zeyar Thiri Stadium.

Though the Vietnamese team controlled the game in the first half, and almost all the time in the second one, they could not scored any goals into the net of the current champion. The Malaysian turned the tide by the end of the game when only 14 minute left, including 4-minute extra time.

After Vietnamese defender Tien Thanh failed in neutralizing a pass of a Malaysian footballer in the 81st minute, Malaysian Midfielder Chuchu got the ball and scored into the net of Vietnam.

Nine minute later, Midfielder Saarvindran scored the second goal after a swift counterattack of the Malaysian team, putting an end to all of the efforts of the U23 Vietnam team.

Vietnamese striker Mac Hong Quan scored one goal for the Vietnamese team 4 minute later, which could not help save the day for the team.

Malaysia has beaten Vietnam with appropriate strategies and tactics, a local sports journalist said in a TV program aired on the national TV broadcaster Vietnam Television right after the game.

“They let the Vietnamese control the game in the first half, and most of the time in the second half,” he said. The defensive tactics of the Malaysian paid off, as it partially helped exhaust their Vietnamese rivals and let the Vietnamese team pose more loopholes to be taken advantage.

Vietnam smashed Laos 5-0 on Sunday, as they had no choice but to beat their neighbors to continue nurturing their semis dream after losing to Singapore last Tuesday. Vietnam had racked up three points prior to the Group A encounter with Laos while rivals Malaysia drew 1-1 with Singapore on Sunday.