Malaysia vs Vietnam — Tips & Analysis

Vietnam -0.75: Malaysia go into this semi final with their squad torn apart. FIFA and AFC sanctions over seven naturalised players have left them with only seven players from a previous match available, and several others are hurt. Malaysia's record looks fine on paper. They have won 9, tied 2 and lost 3 of their last 14, and they let in under a goal a game. At home they have won 6 and tied 1 of their 7. But that was built by the players they can no longer pick. That run beat Laos, Nepal and the Philippines, and it included a 4-0 win over Vietnam. Vietnam are in a very different place. They have won 12 of their last 14 games and topped their group unbeaten, scoring 13 goals and letting in one. On the road they have won six of their last seven, scoring more than 2 a game and letting in under one. They have also won by 2 or more goals in 9 of their last 14. Malaysia have lost 9 of the last 12 meetings between these two. This is the first leg of a two legged tie, so Vietnam can be patient and pick their moment as legs tire. A 0-2 Vietnam win is the read, and that is the sort of margin we are after. The squad news comes from press reports, not official team lists. If more of those players are cleared, this tightens up quickly. We are still with Vietnam.