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Vietnam vs Malaysia kicks off at 10:00 PM Malaysian time (GMT+8) on Tuesday, 31 March 2026 at Thien Truong Stadium, Ninh Binh, Vietnam. The match is live on Astro Arena, available via Sooka for CelcomDigi subscribers.
It's an away trip to Vietnam for Harimau Malaya — and while qualification is off the table, the match still matters. With the 2026 AFF Cup on the horizon, this is a golden chance for coach Peter Cklamovski to blood new faces and assess his squad depth heading into one of Southeast Asia's biggest tournaments.
Malaysian fans can catch all the action live on Astro Arena, and the easiest way to stream it is through Sooka — available to CelcomDigi subscribers.
Malaysian fans can watch Vietnam vs Malaysia live on Astro Arena or stream it on Sooka. CelcomDigi subscribers can get Sooka access through Mega Add-Ons from RM8.90/month, or via StreamMORE and SpeedSTREAM — with the first month free.
Here's a quick look at your viewing options:
| Platform | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Astro (TV) | Astro Arena | Standard Astro subscription |
| Sooka (Streaming) | Astro Arena | Via CelcomDigi add-ons |
If you're on CelcomDigi, streaming on Sooka is the most convenient option. You'll get access to Astro Arena — the home of all Malaysia national team matches — plus beIN Sports, Astro Sports Plus, and loads more.
Here's how to get Sooka through CelcomDigi:
| Add-On | Best for | Key perk |
|---|---|---|
| Mega Add-Ons | Postpaid users | From RM8.90/month, 12-month bundle |
| StreamMORE | Postpaid & Prepaid | 1st month FREE + bonus data |
| SpeedSTREAM | Prepaid users | Unlimited streaming data |
Malaysia are mathematically eliminated from the 2027 AFC Asian Cup after the AFC overturned their wins over Nepal and Vietnam, costing them six crucial points. But the 31 March clash is far from meaningless — it's a key audition ahead of the 2026 AFF Cup, and a chance for Harimau Malaya to restore some pride on the road.
It's been a turbulent few months for Malaysian football. Seven naturalized players were handed 12-month bans by FIFA after being found to have obtained eligibility through falsified documents. The AFC then overturned Malaysia's earlier wins against Nepal and Vietnam to 3-0 defeats, eliminating them from the Asian Cup race entirely.
But here's the thing — Cklamovski hasn't thrown in the towel. He's already rebuilding, calling up Dion Cools and introducing newly naturalized Bergson da Silva and Giancarlo Gallifuoco. This match is as much about the future as it is about the present.
| Team | P | W | D | L | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Vietnam | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
 Malaysia | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 9 |
Coach Peter Cklamovski is in full rebuild mode. With the seven suspended naturalized players unavailable, he's turning to a fresher-looking squad. Dion Cools — who plays for Cerezo Osaka in Japan — is confirmed in the squad and brings valuable overseas experience. Star winger Arif Aiman remains out with a hamstring injury sustained earlier in the season.
The exciting addition is striker Bergson da Silva, the JDT hitman who's been absolutely lethal in the Malaysia Super League with over 176 goals since 2021. If his paperwork clears in time, he could make his international debut here. Same story for center-back Giancarlo Gallifuoco of KL City — composed, experienced, and ready to shore up the backline.
Malaysia — Key availabilityVietnam go into this one already celebrating. With their place in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup secured, coach Kim Sang-sik can afford to experiment — but he'll still want a positive result on home soil, especially with the AFF Cup coming up. Familiar names like Quang Hai, Hoang Duc and goalkeeper Nguyen Filip are all expected to feature.
Kim Sang-sik may use this match to test newer faces in the squad, including some of the talented U23 players who impressed at the 2026 U23 Asian Championship. The Golden Star Warriors are in excellent form and will be buoyed by their home crowd at Thien Truong Stadium.
Dion Cools brings the kind of European-honed discipline and aerial quality Malaysia need to shore up their defence in the absence of so many regulars. Bergson, if cleared, is an absolute handful — his movement, finishing and physicality make him one of the most dangerous strikers in Southeast Asia at any age. On the Vietnam side, Quang Hai remains the man who makes them tick, capable of unlocking any defence with a single pass. And don't sleep on Faisal Halim — when he's on song, he's one of the most exciting wingers in the region.
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Vietnam are the stronger side on paper and at home, but this is a Malaysia team with something to prove. Expect Harimau Malaya to be competitive — a narrow Vietnam win is the most likely outcome, but do not be surprised if Malaysia make it uncomfortable for the hosts.
Vietnam have been in irresistible form throughout this qualifying campaign, winning all five matches before the final round. Playing at Thien Truong Stadium — a ground with a passionate home crowd — gives them a real edge. But a Malaysia side stripped of their controversial naturalized players and re-energized by new faces could spring a surprise.
The real story here is not just the scoreline. It is about what Cklamovski learns for the AFF Cup. Every player who steps out in this shirt on 31 March is essentially auditioning for a spot in Malaysia's biggest tournament later in 2026.
Score prediction: Vietnam 2-1 Malaysia
Vietnam vs Malaysia kicks off at 10:00 PM Malaysian time (GMT+8) on Tuesday, 31 March 2026.
You can watch live on Astro Arena or stream it on Sooka via CelcomDigi. CelcomDigi subscribers can access Sooka through StreamMORE (1st month FREE), SpeedSTREAM, or Mega Add-Ons from RM8.90/month.
No. The AFC overturned Malaysia's wins over Nepal and Vietnam on 17 March 2026, deducting six points and eliminating Harimau Malaya from the 2027 Asian Cup qualification race. Vietnam have qualified from Group F.
FIFA sanctioned seven Malaysian players — Facundo Garces, Rodrigo Holgado, Imanol Machuca, Joao Figueiredo, Gabriel Palmero, Jon Irazabal and Hector Hevel — with 12-month bans from official matches after finding they had used falsified eligibility documents. The Court of Arbitration for Sport upheld the bans on 5 March 2026.
Bergson da Silva is a Malaysian striker widely regarded as the best player in Malaysia Super League history. He has scored over 176 goals for Johor Darul Ta'zim since 2021. Having obtained Malaysian citizenship under FIFA's five-year residency rule, he is expected to earn his first cap for Harimau Malaya and give the team a genuine attacking threat going forward.
Whether Harimau Malaya are chasing glory or rebuilding for the future, they deserve your support — and watching live is the best way to feel every moment. Sooka via CelcomDigi makes it dead easy to catch every Malaysia national team match wherever you are.
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