Malaysia crush Laos 4–1 to seize top spot from Vietnam in SEA Games football

Following their 1–2 loss to Vietnam in the opening match on Wednesday, Laos needed a win against Malaysia to stay in contention.

Things started surprisingly well in Rajamangala Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand, when coach Ha Hyeok-jun’s squad took the lead in the 4th minute. Xaysombath stole the ball on Malaysia’s side, passed left to Phoutthavong Sangvilay, who drove into the box and squared it across. Xaysombath continued his run and slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner with his left foot.

Laos started strong despite the absence of key midfielder Damoth Thongkhamsavath, who was sidelined with an injury.

Malaysia struggled to find rhythm after going over two months without a competitive match. The squad only registered 19 players out of the maximum 23 and were missing three key names: center-back Ubaidullah Shamsul, striker Aliff Izwan, and Fergus Tierney, whose clubs refused to release them.

Conceding early forced Malaysia to play offensive, but their attacks down the flanks were largely ineffective. It was not until a defensive mistake from Laos in the 33rd minute that they managed to level the score.

From a cross delivered from the right wing, Xaysombath misjudged the clearance. Mohd Danish capitalized, delicately finishing with his left foot past keeper Kop Lokphathip.

The rest of the first half and the first 15 minutes of the second saw no notable chances for Laos. They remained strong, but another defensive mistake proved costly in the 60th minute. Goalkeeper Lokphathip mishandled a low cross from the right, deflecting the ball directly into Rosli Azim’s path. The Malaysian midfielder volleyed the ball home with his right foot to make it 2–1.

Forward Rosli Azim (number 7) after scoring Malaysia’s second goal in their 4-1 victory against Laos at SEA Games 33 in Bangkok, Thailand, on Dec. 6, 2025. Photo by Read/Duc Dong

Just two minutes later, Laos conceded again. From a left-sided free kick, Ahmad Alif floated the ball into the box, where Michel Raj rose to head it into the top left corner for Malaysia’s third goal.

That goal crushed Laos’ morale. Coach Ha made no timely adjustments, and the players showed signs of fatigue. They failed to apply pressure and became more vulnerable to counterattacks.

In the 85th minute, captain Phetdavanh Somsanid tackled a Malaysian player to stop a counterattack and received a second yellow card, resulting in a red. He was stretchered off the field with a serious injury. In the first minute of added time, Malaysia broke the offside trap, and though Rahman Daud’s shot was saved by Lokphathip, the rebound fell perfectly for Muhamad Khalil, who chipped it in with his left foot to seal the 4–1 win.

In the closing minutes, some Laos players lost their composure and received two more yellow cards for dangerous tackles. No miracle occurred, and Laos became the first team eliminated from SEA Games 33 even before the opening ceremony. Several players collapsed on the pitch in tears.

Malaysia, on the other hand, celebrated joyfully after staging a comeback to claim all three points. The win put them top of Group B ahead of Vietnam, with both sides on three points but Malaysia leading on goal difference (+3 to +1).

In the final group match on Dec. 11, Malaysia only need a draw against Vietnam to retain first place and advance directly to the semifinals.