KUALA LUMPUR: It was a historical day for Cambodian football at the National Stadium in Phnom Penh on Monday.
Cambodia, who are regarded as minnows in football, shocked 10-man Malaysia 1-0 in an AFF Under-22 Championship Group B match.
The defeat is a massive blow to Malaysia's chances of qualifying for the semi-finals.
Ong Kim Swee's side face Indonesia on Wednesday in a must win match.
Defender Sath Rosib was the toast for Cambodia with a goal from his free kick in the 63rd minute, four minutes after Malaysia midfielder Danial Haqim Draman was given his marching orders by referee Nguyen Hien Triet of Vietnam.
Kim Swee fielded his best available players in the match.
Among those who played were Haziq Nadzli, Dominic Tan, Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak, R. Kogileswaran and Jafri Firdaus Chew.
The team are without several key players, including Syahmi Safari, Akhyar Rashid and Safawi Rasid.
They were either not released by their clubs or were not called up by Kim Swee.
“It is not a good result. We didn’t play that well... congratulations to Cambodia.
“They made it very difficult for us.
“However, there are other aspects we need to think about in regard to several decisions that were made by the officials.
“Playing with 10 players is very difficult for any team. They, however, scored a good goal.
“We need to bounce back against Indonesia,” said Kim Swee after the match in Phnom Penh on Monday.”
In an earlier match, Indonesia were held 1-1 by Myanmar.