MALAYSIA have done it to Vietnam before — knocking down the high flying Golden Dragons when least expected.
So, it doesn't matter, all this talk about the "Dragons" breathing fire, and too hot for Malaysia to handle.
National coach Tan Cheng Hoe is staying cool, and told his men not to fear Vietnam when the two teams clash in a pre-World Cup/Asian Cup Group G match at the Al Maktoum Stadium in Dubai on Friday.
Vietnam, who vanquished Indonesia 4-0 yesterday, are top of the group while Malaysia lie fourth after a 4-0 thrashing by the United Arab Emirates on Thursday.
However, Cheng Hoe reminded the team that they had beaten Vietnam before — 2010 (2-0 aggregate) and 2014 (4-2 aggregate) in the AFC Cup semi-finals.
Cheng Hoe hopes that history will repeat itself and called on Harimau Malaya to pounce when Vietnam slip up.
He admitted that Vietnam possess speedy forwards and a strong defence who have conceded only one goal in six matches.
"Vietnam are fast with good teamwork and fighting spirit.
"We have to be careful with their counter-attacks.
"But we have beaten them before, when they were the favourites."
However, Cheng Hoe said Vietnam, now under South Korean coach Park Hang Seo, are a transformed side.
"But I feel that if we can play with a strong belief, we can spring an upset. We have to be careful with our transition play because any failed attacks will see them attacking us fast,
"We need to close the space fast to limit their chances of scoring."