The 2017 SEA Games football competition got underway on Monday, with hosts Malaysia opening their Group A account at the regional sporting showpiece with a 2-1 victory over Brunei at the Shah Alam Stadium.

The Malaysia Super League’s Johor Darul Ta’zim winger Safawi Rasid opened the scoring with an emphatic volley in only the fourth minute. However, a gritty Brunei side equalised against the run of play through Mohamed Zulkhairy Razali in the 12th minute.

Adam Nor Azlin eventually secured Malaysia a deserved win with a header on the hour. Malaysia face rivals Singapore today. In the opening day’s other match, Myanmar were too strong for Singapore, the 2015 silver medallists downing the Lions 2-0 at the Selayang Stadium.

Striker Aung Thu got both goals, the 21-year-old coolly finishing in first-half injury time before completing his brace on 61 minutes. Myanmar take on Laos today.