Most notably, midfield maestro Quang Hai won’t be able to play due to suspension, whilst both Tuan Anh and Van Toan suffered injuries against Indonesia. Their absence will mean that head coach Park Hang-seo must make some changes to the Vietnamese team’s starting 11.
In midfield, it is likely that pair Van Thanh and Hong Duy will keep their places due to their current form.
With Tuan Anh suffering an injury, Xuan Truong is the leading candidate to replace the Thai Binh-born midfielder.
Elsewhere, the other choices include the likes of Hoang Duc, Minh Vuong, Duc Huy, and Trong Hoang, with head coach Park set to make a decision on his central midfield.
Key players such as Van Duc and Tien Linh will likely keep their places up front when taking on Malaysia.
Duc Chinh can prove to be a competent substitute for Van Toan if he can’t play the whole game due to injury. Chinh’s main strength is his speed which can wear down the opposition before being replaced by talismanic forward Cong Phuong. This move worked in the previous game against Indonesia, with Cong Phuong coming off the bench to score a goal.
Despite changes in midfield and attack, Park rarely changes his goalkeeper or defenders, meaning that goalkeeper Tan Truong and three defenders Duy Manh, Ngoc Hai, and Tien Dung, will maintain their spot in the line-up.