SHAH ALAM: Goals by Safawi Rasid and Adam Nor Azlin earned Malaysia a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brunei in their opening Group A match of the Sea Games football competition at the Shah Alam Stadium on Monday.
Malaysia created many chances but were complacent in some aspects throughout the match.
However, they scored early in the match through Safawi in the fourth minute.
Safawi scored a beauty with a volley off a Matthew Davies cross from the right to put Malaysia ahead.
But Brunei were undeterred. They played a disciplined game by catching Malaysia in their own half with their speed.
Zulkhairy Hady Razali beat the offside trap and latched onto a through ball before slotting past Malaysia goalkeeper Ifwat Akmal Chek Kassim in the 12th minute.
For the record, Zulkhairy's goal was only the third netted by Brunei against Malaysia in the history of the Sea Games.
Adam and Daniel Amier Norhisham came close in the 17th and 18th minutes before Safawi miscued his free header over the Brunei crossbar in the 19th minute.
In the 44th minute, Safawi sent his free kick against the Brunei crossbar before their goalkeeper Haimie Anak Nyaring pushed the ball away from the danger zone with Jafri Firdaus Chew lurking close.
Davies was Malaysia's best player in the first half but his excellent crosses were wasted due to his teammates' poor finishing.
In the second half, Malaysia continued to press and they were rewarded in the 60th minute. Adam rose above the rest and headed in Safawi's corner kick to give Malaysia the lead.
Malaysia continued to dominate but failed to extend their lead.
In an earlier group match, Myanmar defeated Singapore 2-0 at Selayang Stadium.