YANGON (18 May 2011) – Defending champions Yadanarbon FC are in the AFC Challenge Cup 2011 when they emerged as the runners-up team from Group B of the qualifying round that was played at the National Youth Training Centre in Yangon.
Istiklol FC from Tajikistan win Group B on better goal difference.
The Myanmar National League champions Yadanarbom had begun their campaign with a 6-0 thrashing of Yeedzhin FC of Bhutan with international Pai Soe nailing a hat-trick.
Against Jabal Al Mukaber Club of Palestine in their second match, the home team overturned a three-goal deficit to win the tie 4-3.
The side from Palestine bowed out of the tournament when Yadanarbon fought back with goals off an own goal from Hussein Hasan (41st minute), Yan Paing (45th and 58th) and Pai Soe (90th).
In the crucial tie against Istiklol to decide the group winner, Yadanarbon had a penalty kick from Yan Paing to thank when his goal erased the earlier strike from Davronov Nuriddin in the 57th minute.
With the one point, Yadanarbon and Istiklol joined Taiwan Power Company (Chinese Taipei) and FC Balkan (Turkmenistan) in the six-team finals.
Another ASEAN side Phnom Penh Crown FC from Cambodia will battle Neftchi Kochkor-Ata (Kyrgyzstan), Abahani (Bangladesh) and Don Bosco Sports Club (Sri Lanka) for the remaining two slots from Group A.
Group A will be played at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on 21-25 May.
