The Malaysians should have taken the lead at Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in the 35th minute when Faris’ cross from the left found Paulo Josue, but his first-time effort was blocked by Le Giang Patrik while Daryl Sham thumped the rebound high over the bar.

Vietnam had struggled to impose themselves on proceedings throughout the first half but, as the interval approached, the holders slowly took control.

Xuan Son volleyed wide and Nguyen Dinh Bac fired straight at Azri Ghani before the visitors broke the deadlock five minutes into stoppage time.

Le Pham Thanh Long’s precision pass found Truong Tien Anh on the right flank and his perfect first touch gave him the time and space to deliver the ball across the face of the Malaysian goal, allowing Xuan Son to score with a devastating diving header.

Patrik thought he had been sent off on the hour mark when he was judged to have handled the ball outside the penalty area but referee Rustam Lutfullin overturned the decision on review.

With four minutes remaining Faris stuck out his boot and inadvertently steered the ball around his own goalkeeper although the fullback almost redeemed himself moments later, forcing an acrobatic stop out of Patrik in the dying seconds.