In the Group B match played at the Madya Stadium, Malaysia opened the scoring in the ninth minute through a Najmudin Akmal Kamal Akmal freekick.

However, Timor Leste, known as The Rising Sun, equalised just two minutes later through skipper Cristevao Moniz Fernandes, before Malaysia took the lead again four minutes later with a goal by Adam Farhan Mohd Faizal.

In the second half, Malaysia went 3-1 up in the 52nd minute through Alif Izwan Yuslan, but yet again allowed Timor Leste to narrow the gap just two minutes after.

In the 63rd minute, Adam Farhan scored Malaysia’s fourth goal but Timor Leste was not done and scored their third through Mario Donasio in the 76th minute. Malaysia, however, defended well to hang on to their lead and seal the victory.

The result put Malaysia, the 2018 champions, in second place in Group B with seven points having beaten Cambodia 2-1 in their first match on July 5 and being held to a scoreless draw by Singapore two days ago.

Meanwhile, Laos remained in the top spot with nine points but have a game in hand. Cambodia and Timor Leste, with three points, are in third and fourth place respectively, while Singapore lies at the bottom with one point.

Harimau Muda will play Laos on Monday in a match that will determine the group winners, before the semifinals where they will meet either Thailand or Vietnam on Wednesday.