MYANMAR beat Timor Leste with a terrific 7-0 score during the AFC U-23 Championship 2020 Qualifier match at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon yesterday.

 The Myanmar men’s team used key players for the match, and lined up with goalkeeper San Satt Naing, with Captain Win Moe Kyaw, Ye Yint Aung, Ye Min Thu, Hein Phyo Win playing defence, Lwin Moe Aung, Zay Yar Naing, Myat Kaung Khant, Hein Htet Aung in the midfield, and Htet Phyo Wai and Wai Naing Tun in the forward position. Myanmar were in a good attacking position yesterday, and showcased great dribbling skills and long passes.

Myanmar resorted to power play right from the kick-off, with Hein Htet Aung scoring two consecutive goals at 4 and 5 minutes. More goals followed to strengthen Myanmar’s position, with Myat Kaung Khant scoring the third goal at 24 minutes and Win Naing Tun netting the fourth at 45 minutes.

At the end of the first half, Myanmar was leading with a score of 4-0. The match heated up in the beginning of the the second half as Myanmar resorted to continuous attacks. Team Myanmar did not lose steam, with Zeya Naing scoring the fifth goal at 52 minutes and Ye Min Thu bagging the sixth goal at 62 minutes, stumping the Timor Leste keeper.

Again, taking advantage of weaknesses in Timor Leste’s defence, Win Naing Tun scored the final goal at 64 minutes. Speaking about Myanmar’s overwhelming win, head coach Velizar Popov said: “I was pleased with the result, but still seen in my team. We’ll play better in the next matches.”

“I was shocked by the big loss. This is football and anything can happen. My boys made too many mistakes during the match,” said Timor Leste’s head coach Norio Tsukitate. In the earlier qualifier yesterday, Japan best Macau 8-0. Myanmar will play against Macau next, and Timor Leste will take on Japan on 24 March.— Lynn Thit (Tgi)