PHNOM PENH – Phnom Penh’s National Olympic Stadium was the stage for a thrilling soccer showdown on December 8, as hosts Cambodia and Malaysia kicked off the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024. The Group A clash was a thrilling back-and-forth encounter, with both teams battling it out to a 2-2 draw.

The home side, fueled by a passionate crowd, started brightly. However, it was Malaysia who struck first, with midfielder Stuart Wilkin’s stunning goal in the 35th minute giving the visitors the lead.

Cambodia roared back in the second half, with forward Abdel Coulibaly and Sa Ty netting goals in the 52nd and 60th minute, respectively, to put their team ahead. But Malaysia refused to surrender, and Fergus Tierney’s late equalizer ensured a share of the spoils.

This intense match set the tone for what promises to be an exciting tournament.

Statistically, the match was balanced, with Malaysia having a slight edge in possession and more shots on target, but Cambodia's defense held firm during critical moments.

Both teams now shift their focus to their upcoming matches. Following their hard-fought 2-2 draw, both Cambodia and Malaysia will face pivotal fixtures on December 11.  

December 11 will see Malaysia face Timor Leste, while Cambodia takes on Singapore in their next fixture. The Malaysia – Cambodia draw leaves both teams with a point each, maintaining their hopes of advancing to the knockout stages.

With Singapore bringing a strong squad and tactical depth, Cambodia will need to improve defensively to secure a positive result and stay in contention for a knockout stage spot.

The Malaysia – Timor Leste fixture presents an opportunity for the Malaysian soccer team to claim their first win of the tournament. Given their attacking potential, Malaysia's coach is likely to focus on exploiting weaknesses in the opposition's defense.

Both teams understand the stakes, as every point is crucial in the tightly contested Group A. Fans can expect more drama as the competition heats up.

After the first round of matches in Group A, Thailand leads the standings with a commanding three points and a +10-goal difference following their dominant 10-0 victory over Timor-Leste.

Cambodia and Malaysia are tied in second place with one point each after their 2-2 draw. Timor-Leste sits at the bottom with zero points and a significant goal deficit, while Singapore has yet to play. The results set the stage for intense competition as teams look to secure their spots in the knockout stages.