Jakarta: Indonesia got their AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 Group A campaign off to a winning start after defeating Cambodia 2-1 at Gelora Bung Karno Stadium on Friday.

The hosts took an early lead through Egy Maulana and, after Saret Krya had drawn Cambodia level on 15 minutes, Witan Sulaeman’s goal 10 minutes before half-time ensured the Indonesians went into the interval one up.

Shin Tae-yong’s side dominated the second half although failed to add to their tally, but the victory ensured they joined Thailand, the Philippines and Cambodia on three points in the early standings.

Indonesia raced out of the blocks and had their first chance of note in the fifth minute when Pratama Arhan played a neat give-and-go with Witan before crossing for Egy to head over.

Two minutes later and the home side went in front when the lively Pratama collected a loose ball on the left side and played an inch-perfect cross towards the back post which this time Egy volleyed home to put his team a goal up.

The Garuda were in complete control and almost scored another when Witan rocketed a left-footed effort against the crossbar in the 14th minute as Cambodia struggled to keep Indonesia at bay.

But, against the run of play, Cambodia had their first sight on goal soon after as Sieng Chanthea forced goalkeeper Nadeo Argawinata to push his effort from the inside right side of the area wide.

And from the ensuing corner, the visitors stunned Indonesia when Suet Baraing played the ball short to Lim Pisoth, received it back and delivered a delightful cross in for Krya to send a fabulous header into the back of the net.

The home side retook control of the game, however, and went back in front in the 35th minute. Ricky Kambuaya played a lofted ball over the top towards the advancing Marselino Ferdinan, whose superb low cross from the right was tapped home by Witan.

Egy should have added another three minutes later but got the ball stuck in his feet when trying to round Cambodian goalkeeper Keo Soksela as the sides went into the break with just a goal in it.

Witan missed another chance shortly after the restart, intercepting Souey Visal’s attempted pass before racing through on goal, but his effort past Soksela went just wide of the right post.

But, as long as there was only a goal in it, Cambodia remained in the game and the Koupreys showed their threat once more as the hour approached when substitute Sa Ty raced onto In Sodavid’s ball over the top and then shot goalwards only to be denied by an excellent block from the outstretched Asnawi Mangkualam.

Shin’s side came close once more with a little over 20 minutes to play as Yakob Sayuri’s side-footed strike from just outside the area went narrowly wide of the left post.

The Garuda then suffered a potentially major blow with 10 minutes remaining when Witan pulled up holding his hamstring and Shin will hope the damage to a player who was arguably the best on the pitch was nothing serious.

Moh Edo Febriansah had a chance to round off the scoring in stoppage time but saw his effort parried wide by Soksela after he’d cut in from the left as the hosts ultimately claimed a comfortable three points.