SEA Games: Myanmar outclass Junior Azkals, 5-0

Chemistry was what many felt was lacking in the Junior Azkals, the country’s under-23 team competing in the 26th Southeast Asian Games. On Sunday, it showed. The Junior Azkals were bamboozled by Myanmar, 0-5, in a match that showed everything lacking in the national team that could be considered as a rag-tag squad that gathered much less attention than their popular elders Azkals. As result, Myanmar booked itself a seat in the semifinals, tying the three wins as a against a draw record of powerhouse Vietnam in Group B. A well orchestrated performance from Myanmar condemned the Philippines to a group finish, shattering any lingering dreams of a semi final spot. First half goals from captain Aye San and Kyaw Zayar Win were added to by a double from Kyaw Ko Ko and a fifth goal from Shwe Hlaing Win as Burma dominated the Junior Azkals. First Half Before the game the Philippines knew only a win would keep them in contention for qualifying from the group. History didn’t bode well for the Azkals who lost to Burma 4-1 in 1999, the last time the two countries played in the SEA Games. Any hopes were quickly dampened, however, when Myanmar captain Aye San tapped into an open goal from a corner in the 7th minute. Roland Müller failed to catch the first corner and dropped the ball but was saved when Carli De Murga headed it off the line. The second corner was crossed in and bounced right in front of Müller who let it slip through his fingers and the Myanmar captain Aye San tapped into the open goal. The Junior Azkals’ only chance of the first half fell to Porteria who was left unmarked at the far post when a well hit cross came in from the left. He skied the volley, though given the position and the difficulty of the technique, it was understandably difficult. However just a few minutes from half-time Myanmar took a two goal lead when Kyi Lin ran unmarked in the area. He couldn’t control the ball but it bobbled kindly for Kyaw Zayar Win to poke past Müller for his second goal of the tournament in the 41st minute. Myanmar defender Moe Win then went down awkwardly from the last chance of the half. Jeffrey Christiaens floated in a free-kick from 25 yards rather than shooting and the ball glided out of touch. Moe Win stayed on the floor, however, with commentator Bob Guerrero suggesting he had possibly dislocated or broken his collar bone. His own players immediately signaled for a substitution as the half-time whistle blew leaving the Junior Azkals with another mountain to climb. Second Half Mark Hartmann replaced Jinggoy Valmayor at half-time as Coach Weiss looked to Hartmann to cut open the Myanmar side, who only just missed out on the semi finals in the 2009 SEA Games. Just one point behind both Laos and Singapore last time this win takes them a step closer to the Semis. It was Burma who started the second half sharpest, dribbling directly through the Junior Azkals line and passing through the central defenders for Kyaw Ko Ko to blast the ball past Müller in the 46th minute. The goal put Myanmar three ahead, adding peaks to the mountain. Myanmar continued to dominate and the defensive problems compounded. Coach Weiss substituted Neckson Leonora for another defender, Reymark Fernandez, something unusual for coaches to do while losing. With only five defenders named for the twenty-three man squad the team conceded their eleventh goal of the campaign when Kyaw Ko Ko lifted the ball over one defender, then a second, before slotting past Müller to give Myanmar an unassailable 4-0 lead in the 55th minute and become the joint top scorer of the tournament so far. Minutes later the hero from the Laos game, Joshua Beloya, came in for Jeffrey Christiaens who had previously looked the most likely to score for the Philippines. But Beloya had little chance to make an impact as Manny Ott was soon sent off for his second yellow card ten minutes from the end. Though his tackle of the Myanmar player from behind wasn’t that dangerous it was simply one foul too many from Ott and he received his marching orders. Adding insult to injury, Myanmar scored a fifth and wrapped up the win in injury time as Min Min Thu burst past the defense to collect a through ball. His attempted cross was tipped away by Müller but only into the path of Shwe Hlaing Win who slotted into the open goal in the 92nd minute. Only Brunei left This heavy loss confirms that the Philippines will not qualify for the semi-finals. Manny Ott and Roland Müller will also miss the final game of the Junior Azkals’ tournament agaist Brunei as Ott was sent off and Müller picked up his second yellow card of the tournament. Brunei is probably the weakest side in the tournament, though, and the Junior Azkals will be playing for pride on Tuesday, November 15th, 8pm. - Roy Moore/OMG, GMA News