Vietnam battle Malaysia on outdated cow grass pitch in ASEAN Cup semifinal

Beyond tactical preparations, getting used to the unfamiliar surface is the biggest hurdle for head coach Kim Sang-sik’s squad as they look to extend their impressive 22-match international unbeaten run.

The venue in Cheras uses broadleaf carpet grass, commonly referred to across the region as cow grass. 

It presents a stark contrast to the FIFA- and AFC-standard fine-blade turf, such as Bermuda and Zeon Zoysia, that Vietnam played on during earlier rounds at Thailand's Chonburi Stadium, Indonesia's Pakansari Stadium, and Hanoi's My Dinh National Stadium.

While Malaysian stadium authorities have historically defended cow grass for its durability and resilience in the local tropical climate, the surface remains a frequent point of contention in international football. 

Its wide blades and thick, intertwined root system create a spongy, high-friction turf that slows the ball down, deadens passes, and leads to unpredictable bounces.

Knowing the turf presents an added challenge, Vietnam touched down in Malaysia three days early to log two acclimatization sessions, first training at Kelab Aman before holding their official walkthrough at Kuala Lumpur Stadium.

The surface is not completely foreign to the Golden Star Warriors. Back home, Becamex Ho Chi Minh City's Binh Duong Stadium remains an outlier in the V.League for using cow grass. 

Vietnam have also played recent fixtures there, including a friendly against Cambodia and Asian Cup qualifiers against Laos and Nepal, giving most of the squad prior experience on the terrain.

To ensure nothing is left to chance, Vietnam Football Federation vice-president and head of delegation Tran Anh Tu confirmed that the squad made specific gear adjustments. 

He noted that the federation briefed the players well in advance, particularly regarding the proper stud configuration for cow grass, while the coaching staff worked to ensure no one is caught off guard.

Much of the spotlight falls on Vietnam's 29-year-old naturalized Brazilian striker, Nguyen Xuan Son. 

Speaking ahead of the match, the prolific forward was frank about his feelings toward the surface, though he made it clear it would not serve as an excuse.

"Personally, I don't like this grass. It feels like the olden days, not something you typically see in international football anymore. We are in 2026, so we really should be playing on better pitches," Xuan Son said. 

"But I have played on surfaces like this in Vietnam, so I will adjust. We are focused on our own preparation, our recovery, and getting the job done."

Head coach Kim Sang-sik echoed that resolve, urging his squad to treat their 22-game unbeaten run as motivation rather than pressure as they take the field tonight.

"Every single player has given their best. We analyze each opponent, follow the game plan, and that is why we are in the semifinals. The conditions are the same for the match, and we are ready," Kim said.

The game is scheduled for 8:00 pm Vietnam time.