NAYPYITAW, Dec 10 — Malaysia's Harimau Muda A (National Under-23 squad) got off to a good start in the football competition of the Myanmar SEA Games when they defeated Brunei 2-0 in their opening match in Group A at the Zeyar Thiri Stadium here this afternoon.

The defending champions started off aggressively but Brunei were able to soak in the pressure initially but crumbled in the 30th minute when Rozaimi Abdul Rahman fired a piledriver which Brunei keeper Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahim could not save.

Rozaimi earlier had a chance at goal in the fourth minute but his shot missed by inches.

Stunned that they were a goal down, Brunei upped the ante in trying to get the equaliser with Ali Rahman Muhammad Azwan coming close in the 39th minute only to be denied by Malaysian keeper Mohd Izham Tarmizi Roslan.

However, Datuk Ong Kim Swee's boys were firmly in control in the second half despite several forways by the Brunei forward line.

But it was all over for the minnows when midfielder Ashri Chuchu's shot from outside the box in the 71st minute sailed into the net for Malaysia's second goal.

At the post-match press conference, Kim Swee said Brunei gave a tougher than expected fight but was satisfied that Malaysia got off to a winning start.

 “Their Number 7, Muhammad Azwan Ali Rahman was exceptional and had a few chances but luck was not his side,” he said.

He added that the goal margin was not as important as gaining three full points.

Malaysia next play Laos on Friday at the same venue. — Bernama