ASEAN Championship
Seven-time champions Thailand and holders Vietnam will start as favourites after impressive group stage campaigns, while Singapore and Malaysia will be banking on home advantage to gain the upper hand.
Singapore v Thailand
Venue: Jalan Besar Stadium (Singapore)
Kick-off: Saturday, 21:00 (UTC+8)
Gavin Lee’s side, who are unbeaten with two wins and two draws, will have to be at their best against Thailand, who won their four group stage games without conceding.
Singapore opened their campaign with a 2-1 victory over Cambodia with the Lions then produced a more controlled display in a 2-0 home win over Timor-Leste before holding Vietnam to a goalless draw. Ragnar Oratmangoen’s late equaliser against Indonesia then sent the Lions into the semi-finals.
The War Elephants opened with a 5-0 win over Laos, with Kakana Khamyok scoring twice, before defeating Malaysia 2-0 through goals from Yotsakon Burapha and Teerasak Poeiphimai.
Anthony Hudson’s side then needed an 84th-minute winner from Waris Choolthong to edge the Philippines before completing the group stage with a 2-0 victory over Myanmar.
Victory in the first leg would take Hudson’s side a step closer to returning to the final after their 2-1 aggregate defeat to Vietnam in 2024.
Malaysia v Vietnam
Venue: Kuala Lumpur Stadium (Kuala Lumpur)
Kick-off: Sunday, 21:00 (UTC+8)
Malaysia will look to make home advantage count against defending champions Vietnam after Tan Cheng Hoe’s side finished second in Group B, with three wins and one defeat.
Vietnam, meanwhile, were impressive in topping Group A, dropping only two points while netting 13 goals as Kim Sang-sik’s side stayed on course for back to back titles.
The Golden Star Warriors will also take confidence from their recent record against Malaysia, having won five and drawn one of their last six ASEAN Championship meetings.
Harimau Malaya, however, will be aiming to turn the tables as they target a final appearance since losing 3-2 on aggregate to Vietnam in the 2018 final.
Photo: Vietnam Football Federation
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