Burma held Malaysia to a 0-0 draw in its first game of the 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup at the Jalan Besar Stadium in Singapore on Sunday.

Malaysia had the ball in the net as early as the fifth minute but the Turkmen referee blew for offside. Soon after, Malaysia’s Gary Steven Robbat was given his marching orders for a second bookable offence. It left the Malaysians on the back foot, and Burma really should have capitalised in the second half when it dominated possession.

In other Group B action, Thailand beat hosts and defending champions Singapore 2-1.

In what promises to be a tight group, Malaysia will next face three-time winners Thailand on Wednesday while Burma plays Singapore at the hosts’ National Stadium the same day.

In Group A, where all matches are being held in Vietnam, the hosts drew 2-2 with Indonesia on Saturday, while the Philippines comfortably saw off Laos 4-1 after coming back from 1-0 down.

The final of the competition will be a two-leg affair, with games taking place in both host countries, Vietnam and Singapore, on 17 and 20 December.

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