YANGON (10 April 2013) – Following the success of the Myanmar National League over the last few years, it came as no surprise that the Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) launched the MNL-2 New Holland League to complement the top flight.
U Zaw Zaw, the president of the MFF, said that launch of the second tier was expected as afterall, the league needs to grow and having a promotion/relegation system is the only way forward.
“It was expected really as the MNL was doing well but we need more competitiveness, so having the second tier league was the only way,” said Zaw Zaw.
“I think that teams in the Myanmar National League are on the right plane where in the last two years, they have shown some progress playing in the continental competition.
“So hopefully, by having a second-tier league, it will make the game in Myanmar more competitive and help us to be better at the Asian level.”
Fans of Yadanarbon FC
The MNL was launched in 2009 with just eight teams.
There are currently 12 teams playing in the top tier MNL while the MNL-2 New Holland League sees the participation of nine teams. Among the nine participants, Best United and Horizon FC were from Futsal clubs.
Mawyamadi FC and Chin United were relegated from the MNL at the end of the 2012 season while Myawady FC were promoted from the Amateur League.
At the end of the 2013 season, the top two teams from the MNL-2 New Holland League will be promoted to the MNL while the two bottom teams from the MNL will be relegated to the MNL-2.
However, this rule does not apply to the Myanmar National Under-19 team who takes part in the MNL-2 as a guest team.
MYANMAR NATIONAL LEAGUE
Yangon United, Kanbawza FC, Yadanarbon FC, Ayeyarwady United, Hantharwady United, Manawmyay FC, Zeyar Shew Myay, Southern Myanmar, Nay Pyi Taw FC, Magwe FC, Rakhine United, Zwekapin United
MNL-2 NEW HOLLAND LEAGUE
Chin United, GFA FC, Mawyawadi FC, Myanmar Under-19, Myawady FC, Horizon FC, Dagon FC, Best United FC, Michellia FC
