U Myint Lwin
2006-08-30 00:07:14 UTC
August 30, 2006 00:13 AM
Myanmar Merdeka Tournament Champs
SHAH ALAM, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Myanmar emerged champions of the 38th
edition of the Merdeka football tournament, their fourth win since
1957, after defeating Indonesia 2-1 in the final at the Shah Alam
Stadium here Tuesday night.
The win proved that world rankings meant little in the outcome of the
tournament as Myanmar were the bottom-placed team among the four
nations that competed.
Myanmar, who took home the winners purse of RM37,000, are ranked 164th,
whereas hosts Malaysia are in 148th place while Indonesia and Thailand,
the other teams that took part are in 146th and 111th place
respectively.
Both teams displayed aggressive football and tried to get ahead in the
first half but while Myanmar's defence stood firm in cutting out
Indonesia's attacks, the Indonesians on the other hand used effective
off-side traps to blunt Myanmar's forays.
Despite the presence of about 30,000 supporters, mostly Indonesians,
both teams failed to find the net in the first half.
Myanmar, who are coached by U San Win, finally opened accounts in the
61st minute when Kyaw Thu Ra slammed home a cross into the penalty box.
They got their second in the 85th minute when their captain Soe Myat
Min neatly headed in a corner kick.
Two minutes later (87th minute), Indonesian substitute Zaena Arif
reduced the deficit when he slotted home the ball in a goalmouth melee.
Since the tournament was introduced in 1957, Myanmar (then Burma) won
it three times (1964, 1967 (joint winners with South Korea), 1971)
while Indonesia lifted it three times (1961, 1962, 1969).
MYANMAR: Aung Aung Oo, Zaw Lynn Tun, Khin Maung Lwin, Aung Myint Aye,
Soe Myat Min, Min Thu, Moe Win,Kyaw Thu Ra (Aung Kyaw Moe), Khin Maung
Tun, Aung Myo Thant, Si Thu Win.
INDONESIA: Samsidar, Bayu Sutha, Erol Iba, Eka Raiydani, Atep, Ilham
Jayakesuma (Maman Abdurahman), Erick Setiawan, Ponaryo Astaman,
Richardo Salampessy, Bambang Pamungkas,Boas Salossa (Zaena Arif).
Referee: Rosdi Shahrul (Malaysia)
-- BERNAMA
Myanmar Merdeka Tournament Champs
SHAH ALAM, Aug 30 (Bernama) -- Myanmar emerged champions of the 38th
edition of the Merdeka football tournament, their fourth win since
1957, after defeating Indonesia 2-1 in the final at the Shah Alam
Stadium here Tuesday night.
The win proved that world rankings meant little in the outcome of the
tournament as Myanmar were the bottom-placed team among the four
nations that competed.
Myanmar, who took home the winners purse of RM37,000, are ranked 164th,
whereas hosts Malaysia are in 148th place while Indonesia and Thailand,
the other teams that took part are in 146th and 111th place
respectively.
Both teams displayed aggressive football and tried to get ahead in the
first half but while Myanmar's defence stood firm in cutting out
Indonesia's attacks, the Indonesians on the other hand used effective
off-side traps to blunt Myanmar's forays.
Despite the presence of about 30,000 supporters, mostly Indonesians,
both teams failed to find the net in the first half.
Myanmar, who are coached by U San Win, finally opened accounts in the
61st minute when Kyaw Thu Ra slammed home a cross into the penalty box.
They got their second in the 85th minute when their captain Soe Myat
Min neatly headed in a corner kick.
Two minutes later (87th minute), Indonesian substitute Zaena Arif
reduced the deficit when he slotted home the ball in a goalmouth melee.
Since the tournament was introduced in 1957, Myanmar (then Burma) won
it three times (1964, 1967 (joint winners with South Korea), 1971)
while Indonesia lifted it three times (1961, 1962, 1969).
MYANMAR: Aung Aung Oo, Zaw Lynn Tun, Khin Maung Lwin, Aung Myint Aye,
Soe Myat Min, Min Thu, Moe Win,Kyaw Thu Ra (Aung Kyaw Moe), Khin Maung
Tun, Aung Myo Thant, Si Thu Win.
INDONESIA: Samsidar, Bayu Sutha, Erol Iba, Eka Raiydani, Atep, Ilham
Jayakesuma (Maman Abdurahman), Erick Setiawan, Ponaryo Astaman,
Richardo Salampessy, Bambang Pamungkas,Boas Salossa (Zaena Arif).
Referee: Rosdi Shahrul (Malaysia)
-- BERNAMA