SINGAPORE (2 June 2015) – Myanmar made a smashing start to their campaign in Group A of the men’s football event when they smashed Indonesia 4-2 in the match that was played at the Jalan Besar Stadium tonight.
Buoyed by an enthusiastic crowd of several thousands, Myanmar scored twice in each half to pick up their first win of the competition.
“We can play better than we did today,” said Myanmar coach Kyi LWin. “The fans were fantastic and they motivated the players to do better. The win has given us the confidence for our next match (against hosts Singapore on 4 June).
Brimming with confidence, Myanmar pushed hard at the start through the hardwork of captain Nay Lin Tun and also Kaung Sat Naing which forced Indonesia to absorb the early pressure as they showed their superiority with the close ball control.
Indonesia created the best chance in the first quarter of the hour but following a short pass from Wawan Pebriyanto from the right, midfielder Ahmad Nufiandani shot straight to Myanmar keeper Kyaw Zin Phyo instead.
That failure to go find the back of the net pushed Myanmar to push forward and in the 22nd minute, they duly took the lead when Shine Thura fired in from the edge of the Indonesian box.
In the 38th minute, Myanmar doubled the advantage when off a free kick, a block from Indonesian custodian Muhammad Natsir Fadhil allowed Hlaing Bo Bo to head the ball in.
Indonesia finished the first half by pulling a goal back with Muhammad Abduh Lestaluhu providing an exquisite chip past Zin Phyo from a very tight angle.
The second half saw Indonesia grabbing more of the initiative but with the slippery conditions on synthetic turf, they just seem to find problem in getting a firm grip on things to push forward.
And just ten minutes in after the restart, Indonesia fell further behind when Si Thu Aung punished a defensive mistake on the part of Hansamu Yama Pranata to score.
As Myanmar scored goal No. 4 in the 66th minute when Kyaw Zin Lwin slammed in the rebound, Indonesia nailed their second of the game four minutes later through Ahmad Nufiandani for the final score line.
“I disagree with the notion that the players did not play 100%. They played to the maximum of their ability,” said Indonesian coach Aji Santoso. “Myanmar scored the goals through several individual mistakes, and not through any combination play. Definitely we need to play better than this and cut down on the mistakes.”
In the meantime, across town in another top billing tie at the Bishan Stadium, Vietnam handed former champions Malaysia with a 5-1 beating to brighten their chance of making the semi-finals this year.
Two penalties – Mac Hong Quan (15th minute) and Vo Huy Toan (47th) – ended Malaysia’s campaign as Vietnam added further goals through Nguyen Cong Phuong (45th and 53rd) and Nguyen Van Toan (80th).
Malaysia’s only goal of the game came in the 78th minute through Syahrul Azwari Ibrahim.
RESULTS – 2 June 2015
Vietnam 5 Malaysia 1
Myanmar 4 Indonesia 2
PICTURES by www.asiana.my
