Myanmar peppered Brunei’s goalmouth with numerous attempts from the opening whistle with Kyaw Nyi Nyi and Thet Paing Soe having efforts saved by Mohammed Safwan.

The pressure paid off in the 24th minute when Aung Thi Ha perfectly placed a low shot past Safwan from a Thura Min Thant cutback.

Thura doubled Myanmar’s lead eight minutes before the break, rifling an unstoppable shot that hit the underside of the crossbar before landing in the net.

Difficult weather conditions at Thuwunna Stadium did not stop Myanmar from finding more goals in the second half with Kaung Khant Kyaw’s cross turned into his own net by the unfortunate Azri Danial in the 72nd minute.

Further strikes from Thaw Zin Ko (74th, 84th), Sai Bo Bo Kyaw (81st) and Kyaw (82nd) underlined the emphatic win for Ryuji Sueoka’s side.

Maldives gained a foothold in the match early on with Sri Lanka goalkeeper Kathafi Shaheed kept busy by attempts from Mohamed Shamhaan, Ahzam Rasheed, Mohamed Ilan and Nassah Nasir.

The deadlock was broken in the third minute of first half added time, Shaheed pushing Nasir’s pass straight at Ilan, who smashed a volley home.

Mohamed Shamhaan doubled Maldives’ advantage on the hour mark with a low shot from outside the box that an outstretched Shaheed could do nothing about.

A second yellow card for Mohammed Fuard in the 63rd saw Sri Lanka collapsing late on with further Nasir notching a brace in the 78th and 80th minutes to seal an impressive Maldives victory.