It was a day to forget for both Malaysia men's and women's football teams at the 2019 SEA Games after both teams lost to hosts Philippines on Friday.
Ong Kim Swee's side, who drew 1-1 with Myanmar in their opening match, lost 1-0 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The junior Azkals started off aggressively and launched several quick attacks that put the Malaysia under-22 squad on their defence.
Hardly threatened by the young Tigers, the hosts found the net when a corner kick taken by Stephan Schrock was not dealt with properly by goalkeeper Haziq Nadzli, giving Amani Aguinaldo the chance to slam in the only goal of the match in the 72nd minute.
With Myanmar beating Timor-Leste 3-1 in an earlier Group A match, they became the group leaders with seven points, followed by Cambodia and Philippines with four points each, Malaysia (one point) and Timor-Leste (zero).
Malaysia, who won silver in the previous edition, next face Timor-Leste on Monday before completing the group stage against Cambodia on Wednesday.
Despite facing an uphill task to reach the knockout stage, Ong remained confident that his side could still make it to the knockout stage.
"The players must buck up now and show character to win the next two matches.
"Mathematically we still have a chance to advance to the semi-finals," he said.
Meanwhile, in women’s football, the national squad were thrashed 5-0 in their opening Group A match at the Binan Football Stadium.
Jacob Joseph's squad must beat Myanmar on Monday to qualify for the semi-finals.
Bernama
Fri Nov 29 2019
NBA: Murray scores 44, hits late winner in OT to lift Hawks over Celtics
Dejounte Murray capped his 44-point effort with the winning jumper with 1 second left in OT as the Hawks beat the Celtics again
Grigor Dimitrov dumps Carlos Alcaraz out of Miami Open
The Bulgarian will play fourth seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals.
Uli Hoeness says ‘probably impossible’ to lure Xabi Alonso from Bayer in summer
Liverpool and Bayern Munich are reportedly interested in the Spaniard’s services.
Willie Kirk sacked as Leicester boss after position became ‘untenable’
Jennifer Foster and Stephen Kirby will remain in charge until a successor is appointed.
Analysing the attacks in a thrilling Championship promotion race
Championship attacks analysis
England will not adopt negative approach after humbling in India – Zak Crawley
England will aim to get ‘Bazball’ back on track this summer against West Indies and Pakistan.
Curry says togetherness key as Warriors rally following Green ejection
Draymond Green was ejected for the fourth time this year on Wednesday, but the Golden State Warriors still left Orlando with a crucial win.
Sean Dyche hoping Everton’s latest Premier League charge ‘comes to nothing’
A hearing took place earlier this week and the club are now awaiting a verdict, which should be delivered before April 8.
Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds owed nearly £9million by Wrexham
The Welsh club returned to the English Football League last April after a 15-year absence.
Jamie George assists with England training during Guinness Women’s Six Nations
England captain Marlie Packer knows George from Saracens, who she has represented since 2017.