The host’s starting XI featured nine overseas players of Malaysian origin – Lavere Corbin-Ong (Barbadian descent), Joao Figueiredo (Brazil), Jon Irazabal (Spain), Dion Cools (Belgium), Facundo Garces (Argentina), Laine (Finland), Hevel Seven, Rodrigo, and Matthew and Matthew (Australia).

Several of these players, such as Corbin-Ong, Davies, Aiman, Hazmi and Cools, had previously faced Vietnam. The rest, including Figueiredo, Irazabal, Garces and Holgado, were naturalized just weeks before the match. Imanol Machuca, also of Argentine origin, featured as a substitute.

The arrival of these new recruits significantly increased the team’s quality. In midfield, Laine, Hevel and Figueiredo completely overpowered Vietnam players, with Chau Ngoc Quang (C) struggling to make an impact.