Jakarta:Malaysia will compete against Vietnam without captain Dion Cools and winger Mohamad Faisal Abdul Halim in the ASEAN FIFA Cup 2026 third-place playoff match at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Monday.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, interim head coach Tan Cheng Hoe stated that Mohamad Faisal returned home after the match against Singapore in Bandung due to calf and tendon injuries sustained during the match against Indonesia. Dion Cools left the team following the Singapore clash to address urgent family matters.

Cheng Hoe emphasized the impact of Cools' absence, particularly in the defensive line, highlighting his role as both a defensive pillar and team captain. Despite these challenges, Cheng Hoe confirmed that naturalised striker Bergson Da Silva is eligible to play against Vietnam, having cleared his two-yellow-card suspension.

In light of their failure to reach the final, Cheng Hoe noted the team's positive atmosphere, bolstered by their victory over Singapore, which has helped restore confidence. He stressed the importance of maintaining performance and teamwork in their efforts to see Harimau Malaya succeed in the final match.

The ASEAN FIFA Cup 2026 final will see Thailand face off against the host team at the same venue on Monday.