YADANARBON LIFT FIRST-EVER AFC PRESIDENT’S CUP

Over 33,000 fans packed out the Youth Training Centre in Yangon in the hope of witnessing Yadanarbon add Asian glory to their list of achievements having already claimed a league and cup double in just their first season of existence last year.

Both sides battled hard in a close-fought affair over the course of the 90 minutes although clear-cut chances were few and far between and as the game headed into extra time it seemed as though penalties would be needed to separate the two.

However, Lassina Kone struck in the 96th minute to seal the victory.

Dordoi started well as Daniel Tagoe drove a shot from 30 yards into the hands of Yim Min Aung after eight minutes before the Yadanarbon goalkeeper produced a great save to deny Mirlan Murzaev two minutes later.

Yadanarbon’s best chance of the first half arrived six minutes before the break when Ye Zaw Htet Aung sent Chit San Muang through down the left wing and the midfielder delivered a deep cross for That Naing, whose downward header had Vladislav Volkov scrambling to gather at the second attempt.

After a lively start chances for Dordoi had dried up as the match wore on but they came close in the 65th minute when Murzaev raced clear of two defenders but hit his shot into the side netting from a tight angle.

Tun Win then twice fired over for Yadanarbon much to the frustration of the vocal home crowd and the midfielder again tried his luck from distance with 13 minutes remaining but this time his shot was only just over the crossbar.

But it was skipper Khin Muang Tun who came closest to settling matters with one minute remaining when he hooked a shot from a corner towards goal that needed a great save from Volkov to keep the scores level and force extra time.

Yadanarbon continued to dominate and once again Volkov kept them at bay as he produced a superb dive in the 95th minute to palm away a rasping drive from second-half substitute Pai Soe.

But it was from the resulting corner that the Myanmar champions struck as the ball was whipped into the area and Kone was on hand to fire an unstoppable effort into the back of the net and send the home fans into raptures.

Yadanarbon threw their players into defence after that and the supporters had to endure a nervy finish in the closing stages with every save from Min Aung greeted with deafening cheers as the hosts held on to secure the historic victory.

In the meantime, Yadanarbon fairy tale run in the AFC President’s Cup came in for praise from AFC President Mohamed Bin Hammam.

Hammam congratulated Yadanarbon, formed only last year, for beating two-time champions and six-time finalists Dordoi Bishkek 1-0 after extra time.

Yadanarbon also made history by becoming the first Myanmar team to claim continental glory and what made it even more special is that this is only their first time participation in the third ranked club competition in Asia.

“It was an evenly matched game between two great teams. I am impressed by what I see as both team put on a highly entertaining and fantastic display,” said Hammam.

“I hope everyone in the Youth Training Centre enjoyed the match throughout.”

Over 25,000 spectators packed out the stadium in the hope of witnessing Yadanarbon add Asian glory to their list of achievements after claiming a league and cup double in just their first season.

“It is a good attendance. The atmosphere of the final was electrifying. I am very happy to be here to witness Yadanarbon’s history-making run,” he said.