SEA Games: Malaysia to compete for men's football bronze after Vietnam loss

Malaysia failed to reached the men's football final of the 2021 SEA Games after losing to Vietnam 1-0 in extra time on Tuesday.

Brad Maloney's boys were on the back foot for the majority of the match, allowing the host nation the lion's share of ball possession and chances created.

Tegang! @ASTROARENA pic.twitter.com/PfVndgqUiw

— Zulhelmi Zainal Azam (@zulhelmizainal1) May 19, 2022

However, the young Tigers still managed to keep it goalless at the end of regulation.

It was almost the same story in extra time with Malaysia looking likely to send the match to a penalty shoot-out, but Nguyen Tien Linh found the breakthrough in the 110th minute.

The Vietnam all-time World Cup qualifying top scorer headed the ball from a free-kick into an empty net after Malaysia goalkeeper Azri Ghanir rushed out and misjudged the flight of the ball.

The goal was enough to send Vietnam to the final on Sunday, where they would defend their gold medal won three years ago against Thailand, who overcame Indonesia thanks to Weerathep Pomphan's extra-time goal.

Meanwhile, Malaysia, still waiting for their first gold medal since 2011, would take on Indonesia for bronze on the same day.

Sengit !! Malaysia tumpas kepada tuan rumah, buat skuad muda negara, korang dah lakukan yang terbaik !! keputusan penuh Vietnam 1 - 0 Malaysia dengan jaringan tunggal oleh Linh Nguyen Tien (Vie)#SeaGames2021 #SemarakJuara #SokongMalaysia Translate Tweet pic.twitter.com/pFzXaYUULo

— ASTRO ARENA (@ASTROARENA) May 19, 2022