AFF Cup final second leg: Vietnam vs Malaysia possible line-ups

Hosts Vietnam will play visitors Malaysia at Hanoi’s My Dinh Stadium in the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 final second leg on the evening of December 15, to see who will be crowned champions.

Vietnamese players during their last training session at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on December 14, preparing for the AFF Cup 2018 final second leg with Malaysia late Saturday evening. (Photo: AFF Suzuki Cup)
Vietnamese players during their last training session at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi on December 14, preparing for the AFF Cup 2018 final second leg with Malaysia late Saturday evening. (Photo: AFF Suzuki Cup)

* Vietnam ready to field strongest squad against Malaysia in AFF Cup final

A 2-2 draw at Bukit Jalil Stadium in Kuala Lumpur on December 11 gave the Vietnamese team an advantage as they enter the final showpiece tonight with two away goals in hand. The hosts now will only need a 0-0 or 1-1 draw to clinch their second AFF Cup title, after their maiden victory in 2008.

Meanwhile, the visitors, after erasing Vietnam’s 2-0 lead to draw at Bukit Jalil, are hungry for their second title following their first in 2010. They are underdogs in Hanoi with two conceded goals at home, however, in football, anything can happen.

Both sides are capable of fielding their strongest squads tonight, with both being reinforced in defence as they welcome the return of key defenders.

It is likely that Vietnam will sit deep with a three-player defensive line as has been effectively implemented throughout the tournament, seeing them concede only four goals so far. However, coach Park Hang-seo also needs to keep pressure on Malaysia with his three-man frontline, possibly featuring Van Duc on the left, Quang Hai on the right and veteran striker Anh Duc in the centre.

For Malaysia, it is likely that they will attack in search of an early opener to put pressure on the Vietnamese side. The return of three defenders Aidil Zafuan, Syazwan Andik and Syahmi Safari means that the visitors can select their strongest squad to start the final game.

The rematch tonight will be worth watching as both sides strive for the championship title.

The AFF Suzuki Cup 2018 final second leg will take place at 7:30 pm this evening at My Dinh Stadium, followed by the award ceremony and trophy celebration for the champions.

Here are the predicted starting line-ups for both squads (Graphic: Duc Trung - Trung Hung)

Vietnam (3-4-3): Van Lam; Que Ngoc Hai, Dinh Trong, Duy Manh; Van Hau, Hung Dung, Duc Huy, Trong Hoang; Van Duc, Quang Hai, Anh Duc.

Malaysia (4-4-2): Farizal; Syahmi Safari, Aidil Zafuan, Shahrul Saad, Syazwan Andik; Akram Mahinan, Syamer Kutty, Safawi Rasid, Mohamadou Sumareh; Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Zaquan Adha.

Prediction: Vietnam 2-1 Malaysia