YANGON (14 Dec 2013) – Myanmar fans throughout the country were on the edge of their seats watching their team take on Thailand in crucial a Group B match at the Youth Training Centre Stadium here tonight.
After a thrilling battle which Myanmar really should have won, the game ended in a 1-1 draw. Myanmar took the lead through Nay Lin Tun in the 33rd minute before Thailand scrambled in the equaliser through Praweenwat Boon Yong in the 47th minute.
Myanmar skipper Kyaw Zayar Win blew at least two clear chances including the unbelievable miss just past the hour mark.
The draw means that both teams have seven points each with one game to go. With their superior goal difference, both are virtually through to the semis. Mathematically, Indonesia can still make it but it will be tough to overcome the goal difference.
With over 30,000 in the stadium, another 20,000 more outside watching the game on the giant screen and millions more glued to their TV sets, the hosts sensationally snatched the lead.
Lin Tun leapt high to glance in a header off a freekick from the left. The stadium erupted into a thunderous roar as the the local fans celebrated the goal.
But Thailand recovered to knock in the equaliser two minutes after the restart.
Myanmar continued to press on and had numerous chances come their way but failed to capitalise on them.
Myanmar will face Indonesia with Thailand taking on bottom-placed Cambodia in the other Group B game on Monday.
