The match was played in Thailand as a neutral venue after having been postponed a few times this year over tensions between Putrajaya and Pyongyang over the murder of Kim Jong Nam in February.
Then on Sept 28, Malaysia’s foreign ministry announced a travel ban to North Korea due to escalating tensions in the Korean peninsula following the latter’s missile tests.
Once the match got under way, it was the North Koreans who proved to be more organised and prepared for the match as they easily penetrated Malaysia’s defence.
Jorn Andersen’s charges got their first goal in the 10th minute courtesy of a penalty when Fadhli Shas, who was handed the captaincy in last night’s match handled the ball inside the box.
Referee Fahad Adwan Almirdasi from Saudi Arabia did not hesitate to award the penalty, which Pak Kwang Ryong coolly slotted home, far from the outstretched arms of goalkeeper Muhammad Hafizul Hakim.
Malaysia staged its first foray into the North Korean penalty area when Wan Zack Haikal made a darting run from the middle of the opposing half, but his shot went wide above the post.
North Korea scored its second goal in the 40th minute when Kim Yu Song headed the ball into the net from a freekick taken by midfielder Ri Yong Jik, who proved to be a thorn in the Malaysian defence with his penetrative passes.
The score remained 2-0 in favour of the North Koreans at half-time.
The North Koreans continued their unrelenting attacks and increased their tally with a third goal just two minutes after the breather from striker Kim Yong Il.
Then Jong Il Kwan scored the fourth goal in the 58th minute from a free kick just outside the penalty box, before Malaysia pulled one back through substitute Safawi Rashid in the 66th after coming on for the off-form Wan Zack Haikal.
Both teams will meet again in the same stadium next Monday.