Indian and Myanmar army teams play friendly soccer

Siliguri, Jan 16 : Indian and Myanmar army teams played a friendly soccer game in Siliguri recently coinciding with the 60th Indian Army Day celebrations.

The match was part of India-Myanmar sports exchange series 2008, which began on January 11 and concluded with Tuesday's match.

An Indian army top commander said the sports exchange programme is aimed at promoting cooperation and understanding.

"This is the seventh Indo-Myanmar sports exchange. We share border and we are very close, both heritage and culture wise. Therefore, it is through the medium of sports that we want to improve our own cooperation and understanding of each other," said Lieutenant General Deepak Raj, GOC, Trishakti Corps.

Both teams displayed an adroit show of soccer as the spectators enjoyed till the last moment of the match, which was a cliffhanger.

In the penalty shootout the hosts managed to score victory 4-2.

"It's my first visit. I am accompanying the football team of Myanmar army," said Major General Hia Shwe of Myanmar army.

Myanmar army has in recent years helped Indian army contain insurgency in its northeastern states by cracking down on anti-India rebel camps in Myanmar territory.

While New Delhi has been nudging Yangon to expedite political reform and national reconciliation, the neighbours maintain a strong relationship despite pressure from the West.

ANI