JAKARTA, Oct 5 — Malaysia secured third place in the Fifa Asean Cup 2026 after edging Vietnam 1-0 in their third-place playoff at Gelora Bung Karno (GBK) Stadium here, today.
Substitute Fergus Tierney emerged the hero for Harimau Malaya, scoring the only goal in the 62nd minute to hand interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe’s side a winning finish to their campaign.
Cheng Hoe made three changes to his starting line-up, resting defensive mainstay Brad Tapp and sensational winger Arif Aiman Mohd Hanapi, while captain Dion Cools was unavailable after leaving the national camp due to urgent family matters.
Vietnam looked the more threatening side in the opening half, repeatedly probing Malaysia’s defence with attacking moves and high crosses that kept the backline and goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi busy.
