Malaysian winger Pavithran Gunaln knows exactly what it will take for Harimau Malaya to pull off a major upset against defending champions Vietnam in the first leg of their ASEAN Hyundai Cup 2026 semi-final on Sunday.
The 21-year-old winger has no illusions about the size of the challenge facing Malaysia. Vietnam will enter the tie as the favourites to reach the final for a third consecutive edition, but Pavithran insists the hosts are ready to fight until the final whistle in front of what is expected to be a packed Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium.
The second leg will be played in Hanoi next Wednesday.
For Pavithran, the message is simple: Malaysia cannot afford to give Vietnam even the slightest advantage.
“When we play against Vietnam, we have to work hard and give everything. If we don’t give 100 percent, or if we become careless, there is no way we can win.
“They are a very strong team. If they give 100 percent, then we have to give 200 percent to win this game.”
Pavithran has emerged as one of the standout players of the 16th edition of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup, establishing himself as one of Southeast Asia’s most exciting young talents.
The winger has already collected the Hyundai Player of the Match award twice, underlining his growing influence in Malaysia’s campaign.
His biggest moment came in Malaysia’s final Group B match against the Philippines last week, when Pavithran scored the only goal of the game with a powerful header.
That goal secured Malaysia’s place in the knockout stage after the national team missed out on the semi-finals in 2024.
For Pavithran, the individual recognition has been rewarding — but he insists the success belongs to the entire team.
“I am very happy to receive those awards, especially when my family and our fans were there supporting us.
“Winning in front of them is a great feeling. But looking back, it would not have happened without my teammates and coaches. They are the ones who motivate me.”
“Everything is about teamwork. When the coach gives us instructions, we follow them 100 percent. There is no carelessness and no half-hearted approach.
“That discipline is what allows our team to keep moving forward.”
Pavithran’s goal against the Philippines was special for another reason.
It was not only his first senior international goal for Malaysia, but also the first headed goal of his football career.
The left-footed winger admitted that scoring with his head was hardly part of his usual game.
“Actually, it is quite funny. Throughout all the years I have played football, I had never scored with a header.
“I had tried before, but the ball never went in. This was the first time I scored with my head.
“To be honest, I am not really a player who likes using his head to play the ball that much — but this time it worked!”
Pavithran’s journey to the national team began in Taiping, northern Malaysia, where his love for football developed through games with his father and siblings at home.
Recognising his passion for the sport, his parents supported him in joining the local National Football Development Programme (NFDP) when he was just 10 years old.
His major breakthrough came three years later.
At the age of 13, Pavithran impressed during trials for the Johor Darul Ta’zim FC academy, earning a place in one of Malaysia’s leading football development systems.
It meant leaving home at a young age to chase his football dream.
Today, that sacrifice is beginning to pay off in the black and gold of Harimau Malaya.
Pavithran remains deeply grateful to his family for everything they sacrificed for his career.
“When I was growing up, my family was not well off. We struggled quite a lot.
“My father was a lorry driver while my mother was a housewife taking care of five children.
“When my father was working, my mother would ride her motorcycle to pick me up from school and take me straight to training.
“Whether it was raining or extremely hot, she was always there to take me. I am truly grateful to them.”
Pavithran, who featured as a substitute during Malaysia’s 2024 campaign, has now started all four matches during the current tournament.
He says representing Malaysia has given him a sense of pride that goes beyond football.
“My family — my mother, father, siblings and aunts — have always supported me.
“I also want to thank all the coaches who have guided me throughout my journey.
“I feel proud to wear the Harimau Malaya jersey and I hope my family are proud of what I have achieved.”
Source : ASEAN United FC
Credit Photo : Simon Yap/SNE-Photo
