MALAYSIA TO FACE VIETNAM IN TOUGH DRAW FOR 2027 ASIAN CUP QUALIFIERS

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 9 (Bernama) -- Vietnam pose the biggest threat to Malaysia’s mission of qualifying for the 2027 Asian Cup after both teams were drawn together in Group F for the tournament's third-round qualifiers, scheduled to begin next March.

The draw, conducted at AFC House in Bukit Jalil today, also placed Nepal and Laos in the same group.

Vietnam are ranked 116th in the world, while Malaysia are 132nd, Nepal 175th, and Laos 186th.

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Only the top team from each group will secure a spot in the 2027 Asian Cup.

Vietnam are currently experiencing a slump, recording nine losses, one win, and one draw in all competitions this year, presenting a golden opportunity for Malaysia to finish at the top of the group.

However, head-to-head records show Malaysia have struggled against Vietnam, with seven losses and one draw in their last eight encounters since 2016. The national team’s last victory over Vietnam was in December 2014.

Malaysia, who ended a 42-year wait to qualify for the 2023 Asian Cup on merit, missed the chance to secure an early berth for the 2027 edition after faltering in the second round of the 2026 World Cup/2027 Asian Cup Qualifiers in June.

Meanwhile, Thailand has been drawn with Turkmenistan, Taiwan, and Sri Lanka in Group D, while India face Hong Kong, Singapore, and Bangladesh in Group C.

The group stage of the third-round qualifiers will be played on a home-and-away basis.

The 2027 Asian Cup is scheduled to take place in Saudi Arabia.

FULL DRAW FOR THE 2027 ASIAN CUP THIRD-ROUND QUALIFIERS:

Group A: Tajikistan, Philippines, Maldives, Timor-Leste

Group B: Lebanon, Yemen, Bhutan, Brunei

Group C: India, Hong Kong, Singapore, Bangladesh

Group D: Thailand, Turkmenistan, Taiwan, Sri Lanka

Group E: Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Pakistan

Group F: Vietnam, Malaysia, Nepal, Laos

-- BERNAMA