The match kicked off with both sides making early attempts with Cambodia’s Sos Souhana testing Malaysia goalkeeper Khairul Fahmi, while Safawi orced Keo Soksela into making his first save of the match at the other end. 

Cambodia did well in pressuring Malaysia, but their efforts were undone in the 21st minute when defender Ken Chansopheak fouled Akhyar in the box and Safawi made no mistake from the spot.

Keo was the busier custodian in the first half with Akhyar’s efforts causing him the most trouble, but he was not to be beaten again as Malaysia took their one-goal lead into the break. 

Cambodia maintained their positive attitude in the second half and forced Malaysia into a defensive formation as they threw bodies forward, but their crosses into the area rarely resulted in any meaningful efforts. 

Malaysia capitalised on Cambodia’s over-aggression in the 61st minute with Akhyar surging down the pitch in a counter-attacking move,  brilliantly making it 2-0 with a sublime effort past Keo. 

Kogileswaran came off the bench to replace Akhyar in the 75th minute, and made an impact just three minutes in after converting Luqman Hakim’s cross.

Cambodia were presented with a golden opportunity in the 90th minute after ‘keeper Khairul fouled Sath Rosib in the box, and the substitute calmly slotted home to deny Malaysia a clean sheet. 

Malaysia will hope to continue their fine form against Laos on Thursday, while Cambodia will look to bounce back against Cambodia in the day’s later match. 

LAOS 0-2 VIETNAM
Vietnam are the team to beat in this edition of the AFF Cup after winning their second title three years ago, and dominated from the start against Laos but their early attempts did not challenge Laos goalkeeper Keo-Oudone Souvannasangso. 

The Golden Star Warriors’ persistence was finally rewarded in the 26th minute when Nguyen Phong Hong Duy beat the offside trap to collect a through pass inside the box, before a surging Nguyen Cong Phuong finished from close range to open the scoring. 

The defending champions’ control over the match continued well into the second half, and while Laos had several promising moments in the final third, the Vietnam defence was not to be breached.

Vietnam all but sealed the points in the 55th minute when Phan Van Duc headed home Ho Han Tai’s pin-point cross. 

Laos had a great chance in the 73rd minute with Billy Ketkeophomphone moving on a Bounphachan Bounkong through pass, but Vietnam goalkeeper Tran Nguyen Manh pulled off a fine save to deny the forward.

Just moments later, Vietnam were awarded a penalty for Chitpasong Latthackack’s handball off Vu Van Thanh’s strike, but Keo-Oudone guessed correctly to parry away Van Thanh’s spot- kick.

Vietnam face Malaysia next on Sunday in a repeat of the 2018 final.

Photos: Football Association of Malaysia, Football Federation of Cambodia, Vietnam Football Federation