SEA Games: Malaysia defeats Timor Leste 1-0

Malaysia got off on the right foot in its first football action in the Singapore SEA Games when it defeated Timor Leste 1-0 tonight.

Pahang winger D. Saarvindran put the nation's Under-23 squad in the lead at the 11th minute.

However, eyebrows were raised when Selangor's Nazmi Faiz Mansor was sent off the field at minute-31.

The referee was seen having a discussion with the fourth official before he flashed a red card. Nazmi clearly looked puzzled by the decision.

This means that coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee will have to play the next game without Nazmi.

Even though they were a man down, Malaysia still managed to control the game.

Throughout the game, it was clear that Malaysia had better players and game style as compared to Timor Leste, who is ranked higher in football.

Yesterday, Timor Leste football team was suspected of match-fixing but the organising committee had decided to continue the game.