MNL Hat-Trick for Yangon United

YANGON (5 Aug 2013) – Myanmar’s most ambitious club Yangon United won their third Myanmar National League (MNL) crown in three years when they hold a four-point lead at the top of the standings with just a match left to play to the end of the season.

Following this weekend’s 2-1 win over Magwe FC at their home ground of the Yangon United Soccer Complex, the city side made sure of the 2013 title with 46 points from 21 matches.

Four points behind is Nay Pyi Taw FC from the same number of matches played.

“I am very happy because we are the three-time champions. Zeyar Shwe Myay helped us to become champions. I am grateful to Zeyar Shwe Myay,” said Ivan Kolev, the chief coach of Yangon United after the game.

“This year was difficult for us. Every team plays hard when they meet Yangon United. We also were distracted as we played in the AFC Cup this year. But in the second half of the season we sustained our first place position.”

With the score unchanged at the break, it was Magwe who went in front in the 59th minute when striker Ko Ko Naing slipped the ball past Yangon keeper Naing Zayar Tun.

But Yangon fought back in the 67th minute through Adama Koné before Brazilian Cezar gave Yangon the winner with a penalty two minutes later.

In the meantime, Nay Pyi Taw’s hope of closing the gap on the leaders fell by the wayside when they were held to a 1–1 draw by Zeyar Shwe Myay.

 

MYANMAR NATIONAL LEAGUE 2013 CURRENT STANDINGS 

No	Team	P	W	D	L	GF	GA	GD	Pts
1	Yangon United	21	14	4	3	41	20	+21	46
2	Nay Pyi Taw	21	12	6	3	36	20	+16	42
3	Kanbawza	21	10	8	3	43	20	+23	38
4	Zeyar Shwe Myay	21	10	8	3	29	20	+9	38
5	Yadanabon	21	8	8	5	28	19	+9	32
6	Magway	21	6	11	4	28	26	+2	29
7	Ayeyawady United	21	5	11	5	33	31	+2	26
8	Manaw Myay	21	4	8	9	23	29	-6	20
9	Zwekapin United	21	4	8	9	19	31	-12	20
10	Southern Myanmar United	21	5	3	13	15	38	-23	18
11	Hantharwady United	21	2	8	11	18	35	-17	14
12	Rakhine United	21	2	5	14	21	45	-23	11