Myanmar and Vietnam edged closer to the semi-finals when they shared points in a closely contested Group A battle at the Thuwanna Stadium tonight. The draw keeps them both in the top two positions but Myanmar are top on a better difference.
While Vietnam have a relatively easier tie against Cambodia which should take them through to the semis, Myanmar face a tough showdown with Malaysia.
“I’m satisfied with the team’s performance, it was a fair result today and we are still at the top. This result gives us the confidence going into the last match (against Malaysia) on Saturday,” Myanmar’s head coach Antoine Hey said after the game.
While Hey was delighted, Vietnam coach Park Hong Seo was clearly not pleased with the outcome tonight. “We created chances but were unlucky. I was not satisfied the team’s performance in the first half. There was some improvement in the second. We need a good result in the next game.”
Vietnam had better possession and created the chances but were unable to make their attempts count. But that was also in part due to the solid defence and the good work of the goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Htet.
Myanmar surprised when they took to the field without five players that featured in the previous match. Defender, Thein Than Win was suspended but the other four weren’t. Conspicuously missing today was star midfielder David Htan, voted Man-of-the-Match in their come-from-behind 3-1 win against Laos on Friday. Also, on the bench were strikers Than Htet Aung and Aee Soe, and Pyae Phyo Zaw.
“The five changes were partly tactical and partly due to keep the players fresh.” The move was risky but it worked out well as the new players performed. Hey’s reasons were right as whatever the result was today, it made little difference as far as qualifying for the semis. The match against Malaysia will be the decider for Myanmar.
Tonight, even without David, who did not make the opening line-up due to a minor injury, the hosts launched into attack but it was not until mid-way through the half when they had their first shot Mg Mg Lwin pulled back but Lwin Moe Aung’s first-timer was well caught. A few minutes earlier, Vietnam had their first attempt but Nguyen Quang Hai’s booted his shot just past the post.
Vietnam made better headway after the break with Quang Hai, Nguyen Anh Duc and Do Hung Dung getting close, but just not enough to make it through. Myanmar broke away in several occasions but were stopped in their tracks by the defence mounted by Que Ngoc Hai.
The final Group A matches on Saturday will see Myanmar face Malaysia while Vietnam host Cambodia. In the other match tonight, Cambodia defeated Laos 3-1.
