Malaysia moved a step closer to a place in the AFF Suzuki Cup final with a 2-0 win over defending champions Vietnam in their first-leg semi-final match, played at Bukit Jalil Stadium on Wednesday.

Safee Sali opened the scoring when Vietnam goalkeeper Duong Hong Son failed to hold onto a seemingly tame header by the Selangor striker just after the hour. Sali then grabbed the second ten minutes from time to give Malaysia an important advantage ahead of the return leg in Hanoi on Saturday.

The Philippines tackle Indonesia in the first leg of the other semi-final at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Thursday.