MYANMAR SNATCH LATE VICTORY TO WIN GROUP

YANGON (1 May 2009) – A late, late strike from Yaza Win Thien gave Myanmar a well-deserved 1-0 win over Cambodia as they completed their Group A matches of the AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers with a perfect record at the Bangabandhu National Stadium in Dhaka.

Myanmar had started their campaign on a thumping note with a 4-0 thrashing of Macau before edging hosts Bangladesh 2-1 in their second match.

And in their final group game, Cambodia put up some stiff resistance before Mynamar stepped up a gear for Win Thien to slam home the winner in the 94th minute of play.

“We came with our eyes firmly focussed on qualification. With these new players we achieved it and I hope to continue the performance in the final tournament,” said Myanmar head coach Tin Myint Aung.

With the full nine points, Myanmar will play in the final round of the AFC Challenge Cup 2010 where they will join the other group winners Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Sri Lanka as well as the three direct entrants – India, DPR Korea and Tajikistan.

Hosts Bangladesh also made the cut for the final round of the 2010 AFC Challenge Cup after they emerged as the best runners-up side due to their better goal difference against Maldives.

AFC CHALLENGE CUP QUALIFYING FIXTURES and RESULTS

26 April
Myanmar 4 Macau 0
Cambodia 0 Bangladesh 1

28 April
Macau 1 Cambodia 2
Bangladesh 1 Myanmar 2

30 April
Myanmar 1 Cambodia 0
Bangladesh 3 Macau 0