Unyielding, the Malaysian Football Association maintains the 4-0 score against Vietnam

The Malaysian Football Association (FAM) persists in retaining the victory score against the Vietnam national team from the first match, disregarding AFC sanctions, as the Vietnam squad recently secured a 3-1 win.

Despite receiving sanctions from AFC, the Malaysian Football Association (FAM) still maintains the winning score against the Vietnam national team from the first leg on its official platforms. This move quickly drew attention as it occurred amidst the two teams' recent clash in the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers.

Previously, AFC ruled a 0-3 defeat for Malaysia in matches against Vietnam and Nepal due to player regulation violations. However, on its official website, FAM still displays the 4-0 result against Vietnam as it stood at the match's conclusion on the field, rather than updating it with the latest ruling.

According to some sources, maintaining this data may stem from Malaysia's appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). While awaiting the final outcome, FAM appears to choose to preserve the initial information, though this has sparked diverse opinions in regional public discourse.

Not limited to the score, FAM's homepage interface also uses animated visuals replaying goals against opponents in red shirts, believed to recall the victory over the Vietnam national team back in 2025. Notably, these images primarily focus on domestic players, while minimizing the presence of naturalized player groups – a factor that previously sparked controversy and led to sanctions.

The above action is seen as FAM's way of protecting the team's image in a sensitive context. Highlighting the contributions of local players not only aims to soothe domestic public opinion but also helps alleviate pressure related to ongoing legal disputes.

On the other hand, the Vietnam national team delivered a strong response by defeating Malaysia 3-1 on the evening of March 31. This victory holds not only professional significance but also contributes to building a tense atmosphere ahead of subsequent encounters, where factors of honor and off-field disputes show no signs of cooling down.