KUALA LUMPUR: Forward Faisal Halim's second-half strike earned a new-look Harimau Malaya a 1-0 win over Myanmar in today's AFF Cup Group B match at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.
In a match dominated by Kim Pan Gon's team, Faisal scored the only goal of the match in the 52nd minute. Faisal rifled home the ball past Myanmar goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo after receiving a pass from captain Safawi Rasid.
Myanmar were awarded a penalty in the 89th minute, but Malaysian goalkeeper Ahmad Syihan Hazmi Mohamad parried away their attempt.
Pan Gon's side are without some big names from Johor Darul Ta'zim, Sri Pahang and KL City FC. Clubs can choose not to release their players for international tournaments outside the Fifa window.
Harimau Malaya will entertain Laos on Saturday in their second group match at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil.
Others teams in Group B are Vietnam and Cambodia.