MONGOLIA 0-1 MALAYSIA

Mongolia came into the match with confidence after their 1-1 draw Thailand and had the better chances in the opening half-hour at the MFF Stadium but the Malaysian defenders were quick to check any potential danger. 

An unmarked Ganbayar Ganbold could have broken the deadlock in the 35th minute when a loose ball landed at his feet, but he sent his effort wide. 

Mongolia’s heavy pressing made Malaysia to struggle to get into the final third but were still able to get their chances through set-pieces, and came close in the 37th minute when Muhammad Mukhairi Ajmal connected with a corner kick, only to see his strike bounce off the crossbar. 

Malaysia, however, got the coveted goal three minutes later from another corner set-piece with Hairiey Hakim heading towards Muhammad Nur Azfar, who made no mistake from close range to score his second goal of the qualifying campaign. 

Battulga Zorigt’s Mongolia side were visibly more aggressive in the second half as they searched for the equaliser but Ganbold and substitute Uuganbayar Purevsuren weren’t able to link with the crosses into the box. 

Malaysia handled the Mongolian pressure well and Ajmal could have doubled their lead in the 74th minute but was denied by the crossbar again.

Thailand dominated proceedings in the all-Southeast Asian affair at the MFF Stadium,  as Laos opted for a more defensive approach. 

Thailand, however, found Laos goalkeeper Kiettipon Udom a stumbling block and only took the lead following a defensive mistake in the 39th minute with Alounnay Lounlasi bringing down Korawich Tasa inside the box. Captain Thanawat Suengchitthawon coolly converted the spot-kick.

Laos' best chance of the first half came in the second minute of added time through Anousone Xaypanya, but his curling strike deflected off the post. 

Thailand were forced to play in their own half when the match resumed in the second half as Laos came out blazing, but it was the young War Elephants who found the back of the net again when a failed clearance led to Jakkit Palapon unleashing a crackling strike into the bottom left corner in the 58th minute. 

Tasa then displayed individual brilliance to beat the Laos defence and slot past Solasak Thilavong in added time to seal an emphatic win.