Converting their chances must be Malaysia's priority when they take on Singapore in the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Wednesday.
That's the verdict of Datuk Ong Kim Swee after seeing the host nation squeak past minnows Brunei for a 2-1 opening victory on Monday evening.
Goals from Johor Darul Ta'zim winger Safawi Rasid and Selangor forward Adam Nor Azlin gave Ong's men a crucial three points at Shah Alam Stadium to put them second on goal difference behind Myanmar in Group A.
The scoreline would have heavily favoured the Malaysians if they had been had more ruthless in front of goal.
"We need to convert our chances in front of goal... that is the main agenda," Ong told ESPN FC.
"Singapore and Myanmar will be difficult, but I am relieved that we got this first important win. We fell asleep after the first goal, and as a result they equalised. But I believe the boys will improve in the second and third games."
Ong made his comments as his former charges with the senior team began training in Melaka under Nelo Vingada, ahead of two upcoming AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
Malaysia U22 had looked on course for a comfortable win after Safawi's thumping volley gave them a fourth minute lead.
But as Ong mentioned, the hosts were caught out eight minutes later when Mohamed Zulkhairy Razali was left through on goal to finish past Ifwat Akmal.
After a couple of missed chances from Safawi and S. Kumaahran, the Malaysians secured a second goal through Adam's header on the hour mark.
It was a decent performance against a gutsy Brunei side, but Singapore will pose a bigger threat, despite losing 2-0 to Myanmar in the earlier Monday game.
Captain Adib Zainudin vowed to produce an improved team performance against the young Lions.
"We shouldn't have conceded that goal, it was a mistake. But coach Ong gave us a pep talk at half-time, and we tightened up after that. We will review our performance and improve in the next game," Adib said.
Despite a sub-par performance against Myanmar, Singapore are expected to improve against their traditional rivals on Wednesday.
The Republic have yet to clinch football gold at the SEA Games, and will need a massive perfomance to take down the Malaysians in front of a big crowd at Shah Alam. A second defeat will effectively eliminate them.
After the cross-Causeway showdown, Malaysia will face Myanmar (Aug. 21) before ending their Group A campaign against Laos (Aug. 23).