YANGON (16 April 2017) – Former champions Yangon United still lead the way at the halfway point of the Myanmar National League 2017 where this week, they beat basement side Chin United 3-2 at the Aung San Stadium.
With Yangon looking to wrest the crown from defending champions Yadanarbon and Chin wanting to get out from the bottom of the table, a win for either teams would go a long way going into the second half of the season.
But with the temperamental Kyaw Ko Ko in their midst, it did not take Yangon long to open the lead where in the 12th minute, he struck home right from the corner for the lead.
Emeka then doubled Yangon’s advantage eight minutes later as Chin United striker Kofi converted a penalty to close the gap at 2-1 at the break.
Ko Ko was on target again at the hour mark to restore Yangon’s two-goal advantage before Bi Bi grabbed the second goal for Chin United seven minutes later for the final scoreline.
“We are in the lead at the halfway mark of the season, so my happiness goes beyond measure, but we need to put all our efforts into winning the title at the end of the season,” said U Myo Min Tun, the head coach of Yangon United.
With the win, Yangon maintained their position at the top of the table with 31 points from 11 matches as Shan United remained second with 25 points from the same number of matches.
Shan United chalked up their third straight victory when they beat Hantharwady United 2-1 at the Taungoo Stadium.
Elsewhere, Rakhine United lost at home to Ayeyawady Untied 2-1 while Yadanarbon beat Nay Pyi Taw 3-2 at the Wunna Theikdi Stadium, as
GFA beatr Magwe 2-1 and Southern Myanmar held Zwekapin United to a 1-1 draw.
MYANMAR NATIONAL LEAGUE 2017 Current Standings
No | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
1 | Yangon United | 11 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 5 | +20 | 31 |
2 | Shan United | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 16 | 5 | +11 | 25 |
3 | Yadanarbon | 11 | 7 | 3 | 1 | 18 | 11 | +7 | 24 |
4 | Ayeyawady United | 11 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 15 | 9 | +6 | 18 |
5 | Rakhine United | 11 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 14 |
6 | Zwegapin United | 11 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 14 | -4 | 14 |
7 | Magwe | 11 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 12 | -3 | 13 |
8 | Gospel for Asia | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 17 | -6 | 9 |
9 | Nay Pyi Taw | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 19 | -9 | 9 |
10 | Southern Myanmar United | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 11 | -6 | 8 |
11 | Hantharwady United | 11 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 8 |
12 | Chin United | 11 | 2 | 1 | 7 | 13 | 21 | -8 | 7 |