After watching on from the sidelines when the group began on Wednesday, Myanmar kicked off their opening match of the section knowing a win by more than one goal would send them to the top of the table, but Chinese Taipei – who had to win just stay in with a mathematical chance of qualifying – more than held their own in the opening exchanges.

In fact, a 13th-minute Wu Yen-shu volley, well held by Myanmar goalkeeper Pyae Phyo Thu, was the first real chance of the match, but it wasn’t long until the Southeast Asian side grew into the game.

Myanmar carved out an excellent chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute but Win Naing Tun pulled his final effort wide from just 10 metres under pressure from Chinese Taipei defender Liang Meng-hsin after playing a sharp give-and-go with Htet Phyoe Wai. 

Win Naing Tun came close again just before the interval, too, lobbing Chinese Taipei goalkeeper Li Guan-pei on the stretch only to be denied by the crossbar in the 41st minute.

But Chinese Taipei continued to ask questions of Velizar Popov’s side in the second half, with substitute Huang Jyun-wun’s glancing header bringing the best out of Pyae Phyo Thu, and Wu went close for a second time when he curled a 30-yard free-kick wide.

Things got more tense for Myanmar when Popov was sent to the stands after being shown a second yellow card for dissent, but matters improved dramatically on the pitch when the breakthrough finally arrived in the 80th minute.

The goal came after Myanmar unlocked the Chinese Taipei defence for the first time in the second half, with Kaung Myat Thu converting a low cross from Aung Wunna Soe from close range, leaving all to play for on Tuesday.