Hanoi: Harimau Malaya interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe expressed satisfaction with his team's fighting spirit, even as Malaysia faced a 0-2 defeat to Vietnam in the second leg of the 2026 ASEAN Cup semi-final at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi. According to BERNAMA News Agency, Cheng Hoe appreciated the commitment shown by his players throughout the two semi-final matches against Vietnam, who were the reigning champions of the tournament. He acknowledged the challenge posed by Vietnam's strong lineup, highlighting the experience as a valuable learning opportunity for the younger players in the Malaysian squad. Cheng Hoe remarked, "I am still proud of the players even though we lost in both matches. The commitment they showed makes me proud. At the same time, we know Vietnam fielded their best team and they are also the defending champions." He expressed hope that the experience gained during the tournament would aid in the players' development and performance in future competitions. The match saw Vietnam's Nguyen Xuan Son score twice, in the 62nd and 89th minutes, securing Vietnam's spot in the final with a 2-0 victory in the second leg. This result led to Malaysia's elimination with a 4-0 aggregate, following another 2-0 loss in the first match the previous week. Despite the outcome, the 58-year-old coach commended his players for their ability to handle pressure and maintain a high level of fighting spirit against the defending champions on their home ground.