Malaysia showed no fear against the mighty Koreans and scored as early as the 4th minute when Muhammad Safawi Rasid pounced on a loose ball after their keeper fumbled a catch.

South Korea, who had 2018 World Cup player Hwang Hee-Chan in the team, piled on the attacks after that but failed to find the back of the net before Safawi scored his and Malaysia’s second in the 45th minute.

Shell-shocked, they substituted Kim Jungmin with Son Heung-Min, who plays for Tottenham Hotspur and had also played in the World Cup in Russia, in the 56th minute.

Malaysian keeper Muhammad Haziq Nadzli, 23, was in top form and kept South Korea at bay until Hwang Ui Jo managed to get past him in the 87th minute.

It was the second win for the national Under-23 squad, which put them in top spot in Group E with six points.

Ong Kim Swee’s team defeated Kyrgyzstan 3-1 in their opener on Wednesday.

South Korea are in second spot with three points while Kyrgyzstan and Bahrain only have a point each after playing to a 2-2 draw in the second group match.

Bahrain lost 0-6 to South Korea earlier.

Malaysia will play Bahrain next in their final group match on Aug 20.