Myanmar keeps alive semis chances in AFC Challenger

Hyderabad, Aug 2 (UNI) Myanmar kept alive their semifinal chances by defeating Sri Lanka 3-1 in their Group-B match of the AFC Challenge Cup at GMC Balayogi stadium here today.

Striker Soe Myat Min's header from far corner, off a cross from midfielder Myo Min Tun helped Myanmar take 1-0 lead with three minutes into second half. Sri Lanka, however, levelled 1-1, after a few minutes, when striker Jayasuriya headed the ball home.

Myanmar broke the deadlock 24 minutes into second half with striker Yan Paing shot off a pass from Yaza Win Thein, which gave them a vital 2-1 lead. They increased their lead to 3-1, with six minutes to go for the long-whistle when the substitute striker Si Thu Win header off a cross from right caught the goalkeeper on the wrong-foot.

Myanmar, though dominated proceedings, was inept in their shooting and passes and failed to utilise a few chances that came their way. The score remained barren at half time.

Sri Lanka, too, got a chance to score in the dying minutes of the first half, but a feeble shot by their striker, landed into the safe hands of Myanmar custodian, Aung Aung Oo.

Both the teams got fair chances in the second half, but failed to create openings. Sri Lanka got another chance to increase the lead, but midfielder Mohamed Naufer's shot went over the cross-bar off a cross from midfielder Weera Singha.

A few minutes later, Myanmar, too, failed to capitalise on a golden chance when Soe Myat Min's header, off a pass from Myo Min Tun, went straight into the hands of Lankan custodian, Janaka Sanjaya Silva.

Group-B M W D L P GF GA Myanmar 2 2 0 0 6 6 1 North Korea 1 1 0 0 3 3 0 Nepal 1 0 0 1 0 0 3 Sri Lanka 2 0 0 2 0 1 6 Group-A M W D L P GF GA Turkmenistan 2 1 1 0 4 6 1 India 2 1 1 0 4 2 1 Tajikistan 2 0 2 0 2 2 2 Afghanistan 2 0 0 2 0 0 6 UNI XC/SM RAR HT1949