Malaysia, ranked 154th in the world, nearly took an early lead when Syafiq Ahmad headed in a freekick by Safawi Rasid in the second minute only to see it pass inches above the crossbar.

Tan Cheng Hoe’s charges persisted and finally scored in the 23rd minute when Safawi converted a penalty kick, sending Keo Soksela in the opposite direction as he tucked the ball into the right side of the goal.

Referee Shukri Hussain Alhunfush awarded Malaysia the penalty after Ken Chansopheak fouled Akhyar Rashid in the box, earning himself a yellow card in the process.

Malaysia extended their lead in the second half through Akhyar, who received a beautiful long pass from Syafiq and outwitted two Cambodian defenders before slotting the ball home in the 60th minute.

The national squad then put the match beyond reach when subsitute M Kogileswaran Raj scored off a short cross by Luqman Hakim Shamsudin in the 79th minute.

Cambodia, ranked 170th in the world, replied through a penalty by Sath Rosib in the 90th minute.

Malaysia’s win means the 2010 champions have managed to retain their undefeated record against Cambodia in the competition, having emerged victorious in all three of their meetings since 2000.

It was also a well-earned victory for the squad, as it had to play without goalkeeper Khairulazhan Khalid and midfielder Faisal Halim, who are undergoing quarantine after being confirmed Covid-19 positive last Friday.

Harimau Malaya will meet Laos on Dec 9, before taking on Vietnam (Dec 12) and Indonesia in their final match on Dec 19, with the top two teams in the group advancing to the quarterfinals.