AFC Challenge Cup: Maldives 2-3 Myanmar

Nyein Chan Aung also scored for Raddy Avramovic’s Myanmar, who led by two goals at half-time following a pair of quickfire goals before the break despite the early dismissal of Thien Zaw.

Mohamed Umair pulled a goal back for the Maldives just before the hour mark, but Kyaw Ko Ko’s second of the night in stoppage time ended any hopes of a Maldives fightback, with captain Ali Ashfaq netting a consolation for the hosts just before the final whistle.

“It was a fair and exciting game,” said Myanmar coach Avramovic after seeing his side join Palestine, who earlier beat Kyrgyzstan 1-0, at the top of the Group A table.

“It was very difficult with one less player. We tried to play football. We moved another player to left-back and he was exhausted by the end of the game.”

Roared on by a passionate home support, the Maldives were handed a major boost after just 22 minutes as Myanmar left-back Thein Zaw was sent-off after picking up two yellow cards in the space of five minutes.

But impressive attacking football saw Avramovic’s finish 2-0 up at half-time through goals from the outstanding Kyaw Ko Ko and Nyein Chan Aung.

The Maldives made an expected second half charge in front of 8,000 passionate and vocal home fans and Umair pulled a goal back for the home side 10 minutes into the second half.

Ashfaq then had a goal disallowed for offside in the 65th minute for the Maldives.

But in the fifth minute of stoppage time Kyaw Ko Ko squeezed the ball under Maldives goalkeeper Mohamed Imran from close range to seal the win.

Ashfaq did get his name on the scoresheet a minute later, but it was too late to have an effect on the result.

“It is often the case when a side go one man down and the opposition relax on the back line. I must congratulate Myanmar on a brilliant performance,” said Maldives coach Drago Mamic.

“We were two behind so we did extremely well to get back into the game. They were very strong and Kyaw Ko Ko had a wonderful game.”