AFC Challenge Cup: Kyrgyzstan 1-0 Myanmar

Verevkin’s first-time finish after 18 minutes of the final Group A fixture was enough to hand Kyrgyzstan a first win of the campaign, but with the Maldives sharing a goalless draw with Palestine at the National Stadium, Sergey Dvoryankov’s side were forced to settle for third place after finishing a point behind the tournament hosts.

And Myanmar also missed out on a place in the semi-finals for the third time in the last four tournaments after a second defeat of the campaign saw Raddy Avramovic’s side finish fourth also a point off the pace.

“We needed to win by four clear goals and everybody knew about it and was aware of it. But unfortunately we could not score more. At the same time, we were also dependent on the other game where Palestine needed to win for us, but that was a draw. But overall, I am happy with the performance,” said Kyrgyzstan coach Dvoryankov who had seen his side lose to both Palestine and the Maldives earlier this week.

“We had enough chances in all three games, but our problem was scoring goals. We created chances, but we couldn’t score enough goals and one goal in three games is not enough.”

Despite losing their opening two games, Kyrgyzstan made a bright start needing to win to stand a chance of qualifying and only a smart one-handed save from Myanmar goalkeeper Thiha Si Thu denied Anatolii Vlasichev after three minutes before Verevkin flashed a header just wide.

And even though their opponents came into the contest as the half progressed, it was Kyrgyzstan who opened the scoring after 18 minutes as Verevkin raced in behind the Myanmar backline, and after being allowed time to steady himself, the striker fired a low shot through the legs of goalkeeper Thiha Si Thu from just inside the penalty area.

Hurshit Lutfullaev then tested Thiha Si Thu after 30 minutes before Kyrgyzstan were forced into a change as centre-back Daniel Tagoe failed to run off a knock picked up during an earlier challenge and was replaced by Sherzot Shakirov.

And Myanmar’s first real eventual chance of the half arrived 12 minutes before half-time as Kyaw Min Oo’s deflected shot from inside the area was clawed away by Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper Pavel Matiash with Kyaw Ko Ko unable to react in time to direct a close range follow up header on target.

With the second half beginning in torrential rain, Myanmar created the first chance as Matiash denied Kyaw Ko Ko before opposite number Thiha Si Thu was called into action to block a close range header from Akhlidin Israilov with his legs.

But Matiash almost handed Myanmar an equaliser five minutes after the hour mark as the Kyrgyzstan goalkeeper allowed Min Min Thu’s shot to squirm through his grasp and in between his legs in the wet conditions, but fortunately, the goalkeeper was able to recover and eventually gathered the ball on his goalline.

At the other end, Thiha Si Thu took no chances as the Myanmar goalkeeper punched away Israilov’s 74th minute free-kick as the rain continued to fall before diving low to his left to turn away Valerii Kickin’s low skidding drive three minutes later.

With the other game in Group A remaining goalless, Myanmar knew an equaliser would be enough to send Avramovic’s side through, but Matiash made a superb reflex save to deny Kyaw Min Oo from point blank range following Kyaw Ko Ko’s ball across the face of goal.

“It was a hard game for both teams. Kyrgyzstan were luckier because I don’t think we deserved to lose as we created enough chances to at least draw, and that has cost us a place in the semi-finals,” said Myanmar coach Avramovic, who saw his side open their campaign with a win over the Maldives before losing to Palestine.

“There were a few chances that we must score and that was the missing part. The players gave 100% and they tried very hard, but the goals did not come.

“If we had the same attitude like this against Palestine, I am sure we would not lose and that has cost us a place in the semi-finals.”