MYANMAR KEEP HOPES ALIVE

In the Group B match which Myanmar needed to win after picking up just one point from two matches, they scored a goal in each half through Zaw Lin Htet in the 40th minute and Kaung Htet Aung in the 90th minute for their first three points of the competition.

“It was an important match for our team – we needed the win to be in the next round. A draw or a defeat would have us in the next plane back home,” said Myanmar head coach U Khin Maung Tint at the post-match press conference.

“But the players worked hard this afternoon against the enormous pressure of qualifying and they delivered the win for the points.”

Coming off at the back of their convincing 4-0 win over Singapore two days earlier, Laos went off the block from the very first whistle with Souksavanh Bouttakhot and Kita Souksabai attacking from either flank.

In the 13th minute, a perfect cross was wasted by Souka Phone while two minutes later, Ketsada Souksavanh’s free kick from just outside the box came bouncing off the wall instead.

Laos then stepped up their efforts in the 25th minute with a cross from Ketsada which Sopha Saysana blasted in only to be blocked by Myanmar keeper Aung Wai Phyo.

Ten minutes later, Laos had the best chance of the first half when Sopha delivered a stinger only to see it coming off the crossbar.

With the frustration on Laos obvious, Myanmar delivered their first blow when Zaw Lin Htet made good on a short pass in the 40th minute to blast in a short free kick from Thet Naing.

Laos continued to hassle the Myanmar defence after the break but just found it hard going with the pressure they were up against.

With Souk Phone’s failure to convert a one-to-one chance in the 63rd minute, Myanmar grabbed the opportunity to cement their win when Kaung Htet slot home the second goal of the evening in the 90th minute off a pass from Nyi Nyi Min.

“It was unfortunate that we lost today,” offered Laos head coach Soulivanh Xeunvilay.

“We have to work hard for our next game (against Vietnam) – one which we cannot afford to lose. We just need the one point at least and we should be through.”

GROUP B STANDING

1. VIETNAM 6pts (+3); 2. MYANMAR 4pts (+1); 3. LAOS 3pt (+2); 4. SINGAPORE 1pt (-6)

PIC: MYANMAR (in white) against LAOS (in red)