PHNOM PENH, Feb. 18 (Xinhua) -- Host Cambodia on Monday defeated Malaysia 1-0 in their first match of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U-22 Youth Championship 2019.

The game was held at the Olympic Stadium here with approximately 25,000 spectators and broadcast live on local MyTV channel.

In the first half, both sides squandered several goal-scoring chances. Cambodian forward Sath Rosib broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute on a free kick.

The regional football tourney, attracting eight teams from the ASEAN Football Federation, started on February 17 and will run until February 26.

The teams are divided into two groups. Group A comprises Thailand, the Philippines, Timor-Leste and Vietnam, as Group B witnesses Cambodia, Malaysia, Myanmar and Indonesia.

The top two of each group will advance to the semifinals.

Cambodia will take on Myanmar and Indonesia on February 20 and 22, respectively.