Vietnam prepare for bad weather in ASEAN Cup semifinal against Malaysia

Vietnam will host Malaysia at 8:00 pm in the return game.

The two teams could face unfavorable weather conditions, with heavy rain and thunderstorms potentially forcing the match to be temporarily suspended.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, Hanoi is expected to experience moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms on Wednesday, with some areas possibly receiving very heavy rain. Thunderstorms could also bring tornadoes, lightning, and strong wind gusts.

Under FIFA and Asian Football Confederation regulations, a match can be suspended if heavy rain is accompanied by lightning, or if waterlogging leaves the pitch unable to drain properly and prevents the ball from rolling.

Vietnamese football has also dealt with similar situations several times to ensure player safety and maintain the quality of the matches.

In October last year, Nepal's match against Vietnam in the final round of Asian Cup 2027 qualifying at Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City was delayed by 30 minutes after prolonged heavy rain caused localized flooding on the pitch before kick-off. Organizers postponed the start to allow the water to drain.

A friendly between the under-23 teams of Vietnam and Myanmar at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam in June 2019 was also suspended for nearly 30 minutes after half-time because organizers were concerned that lightning could strike the stadium and endanger the players.

Several matches in Vietnam's professional football competitions have likewise been postponed or temporarily suspended for similar reasons. As a result, the Vietnam Football Federation and match organizers have experience in responding to adverse weather and preparing contingency plans.

“According to regulations, a match can continue in heavy rain. However, if heavy rain is accompanied by lightning, or if waterlogging prevents the ball from rolling and limits visibility, the match will be suspended to ensure player safety and the quality of the game,” a member of the organizing committee said.

Even though the My Dinh pitch is currently considered to be in very good condition, heavy rain could still cause water to accumulate and significantly affect both teams' playing styles.

This could particularly affect Vietnam, who favor combinations and short passing. A slippery pitch and wet ball can make it more difficult for players to control the ball and handle situations.

The latest example came in the ASEAN Cup 2026 semifinal second leg between Thailand and Singapore at Rajamangala Stadium in Thailand on Tuesday.

Heavy rain before kick-off left several areas of the Rajamangala pitch waterlogged. Thailand, despite playing at home, struggled against Singapore and lost 2-1 in the second leg.

The hosts still advanced to the final after winning the first leg 3-1.

Vietnam hold a strong advantage after beating Malaysia 2-0 in the first leg in Kuala Lumpur on August 16.

However, coach Kim Sang Sik and his players cannot afford to be complacent, particularly if they have to play on a slippery, waterlogged pitch. Such conditions are less likely to affect Malaysia's preferred long-ball and aerial style of play.