HANOI, Oct. 10 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam defeated visiting Malaysia 1-0 here on Thursday, picking up their first win at the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification second round.
In the 28th minute, Vietnam's midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai scored but he was offside and the goal was disallowed. Vietnam took the lead in the 40th minute after captain Que Ngoc Hai sent a cross into the box and Nguyen Quang Hai applied the finish.
The Southeast Asian champions Vietnam and Malaysia are in Group G of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Preliminary Joint Qualification second round. They are joined by Indonesia, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Vietnam are currently placed second in the group with four points, and Malaysia are fourth with three, having played one match more than their rivals.
Vietnam were held to a goalless draw by Thailand in their opening match in September, while Malaysia had played two matches -- defeating Indonesia 3-2 and losing to UAE 2-1.
As many as 40 teams from Asia have been drawn into eight groups of five teams each for the second round of the qualifiers which will run until June next year. Eight group winners and four best runners-up will qualify for the AFC Asian Cup 2023 to be held in China and for the final round of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers slated for September 2020.
