Final Score: Myanmar 1-0 Malaysia (HT 0-0)
Thuwanna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar
Saturday, November 26, 2016
Match overview
Hosts Myanmar sent the crowd wild at Thuwanna Stadium after beating Malaysia 1-0 to make it through to the last four of the AFF Suzuki Cup for only the second time in their history.
Myanmar only needed a draw in the Group B match to go through but they went one better when David Htan scored in the 89th minute.
In what was a mini Cup Final, Myanmar controlled most of the game with Aung Thu excelling particularly in the first half when he hit the woodwork and missed a penalty.
After a pulsating first half the second half was surprisingly subdued with few chances and Malaysia struggling to create chances.
Myanmar now face defending champions Thailand in the semis.
Goal
89′ (1-0) David Htan caps off an outstanding match for the Myanmar number 4 with a brilliant individual goal. Using his pace he skipped past two Malaysian defenders on the right and from the edge of the box hit a pure strike with his left that went low and hard into the back of the net.
Match Highlights
Off the post –
Malaysia’s Hazwan Bakri nearly got a brilliant opening goal for Malaysia in the seventh minute. From five-yards outside the box he unleashed a low curling shot that beats the keeper Kyaw Zin Phyo but hits the inside of the right post.
Long range effort –
After 10 minutes Myanmar’s star striker Aung Thu is brought down by Baddrol Bakhtiar 10-yards outside the box. Aung confidently stepped up to take the free kick and fired in a goal bound ball that Malaysian shot stopper Khairul Fahmi is able keep out with a fine save down the right.
Penalty miss –
Aung Thu is again in the thick of the action in the 11th minute when he makes a skillful turn in the box but is tripped by Hazwan Bakri. Referee Yaqoob Abdul Baqi gave the penalty to the delight of a packed stadium but a weak Aung penalty is easily saved by Khairul Fahmi low to his right.
Heading towards goal –
Just after the half hour mark Myanmar centre back Zaw Min Tun gets up well to meet a corner cross. He makes a strong header forcing Khairul Fahmi to make another low diving save to his right that needed him to be at his sharpest.
Aung Thu hits the woodwork –
Aung Thu showed his class with a stunning free kick in the 44th minute that has Khairul Fahmi well beaten but to the frustration of the Myanmar fans it hits the crossbar. Aung looked away in disbelief.
Rare shot on goal –
Three minutes before the 90 minutes is up Aung Thu cracks in one of the few shots on goal in the second half. It is straight into the hands of Khairul Fahmi.
David’s day –
In stoppage time David Htan nearly gets his second goal when Aung Thu provides a fine cross which Htan heads on target but Khairul Fahmi pushes wide with a stretching save.
