Malaysia was once a formidable opponent that caused Vietnam many defeats in the ASEAN Cup semifinals, but those memories are now distant. Since 2015, the "Tigers" have failed to beat Vietnam in 10 encounters, losing 9 and drawing 1. When the two teams meet again in the 2026 ASEAN Cup semifinals, that statistic could weigh heavily on coach Tan Cheng Hoe.

Vietnam's advancement to the semifinals is certainly not a surprise, but unlike the campaign nearly two years ago, which evolved from instability to smoothness and sharpness, in the ASEAN Cup 2026, the performance chart of Coach Kim Sang Sik's players has been a series of ups and downs in their pursuit of victory.

On August 11, Beijing time, the first day of the WTT Sweden Grand Slam concluded. Eight Chinese players competed, securing an impressive record of 6 wins and 2 losses. In several key matches, Lin Shidong defeated his teammate Chen Yuanyu 3-1 in an internal battle, while Chen Junsong lost 2-3 to Egypt's Omar Assar after a hard-fought five-game match, suffering his first defeat in mixed doubles. Meanwhile, young player Qin Yuxuan edged out Japanese Olympic champion Mima Ito 3-2 in a thrilling five-game match, which was truly satisfying!

Written by Han Bing and Wang Wei. This summer, Chinese youth football has entered a golden phase of comprehensive international exchanges.

Written by Han Bing In 2026, Guizhou's international youth football events will undergo a comprehensive upgrade.

Small in stature but possessing a big heart, Nguyễn Quang Hải understands more than anyone the values of sacrifice, perseverance, and loyalty—qualities that transformed a curious boy from Đông Anh into one of the icons of Vietnamese football.

Written by Zuo Rui. A single spark has grown into a blazing fire; youth football training thrives on exchange and mutual progress. On August 17, the second Guizhou "Spark Cup" International Youth Football Invitational Tournament, also part of the China-ASEAN Education Exchange Week, will kick off at the Guizhou Provincial Fitness Center.

Reported by Zuo Rui from Zhidan. The Red Capital carries the Chinese Dream, and football shines in Zhidan. On the morning of the 11th, the third edition of the Centennial Elite Schools Cup football elite exchange tournament primary school category officially opened at the Zhidan County Youth Training Center. Twelve teams from across the country will play 36 matches here, sharing an unforgettable childhood experience.

The Openness That Must Be Embraced: Guizhou's Path from a Spark to a Blaze On August 16, the second edition of the "Spark Cup" International Youth Football Invitational Tournament will officially kick off in Guizhou. Youth teams from South Korea, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Vietnam will gather on the pitch, using football as a bridge to engage in cross-border competitive exchanges.

Vietnamese striker Nguyen Dinh Bac has a great chance to win the ASEAN Cup 2026 Golden Boot. The Vietnamese forward currently leads the race after the group stage with 5 goals.