Myanmar maul Macau

Myanmar captain Myo Min Tun (L) is under pressure from a Macau defender as he takes a shy at the goal during their AFC Challenge Cup Group-A qualifying match at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday. Photo: STAR

Myanmar showed why they are tipped as the team to beat when they thrashed Macau 4-0 in the opening game of the AFC Challenge Cup Group-A qualifiers at the Bangabandhu National Stadium yesterday.
After a drab opening ceremony in the sweltering heat, Myanmar took little time to demonstrate that they are the better side with defender Khin Maung Lwin opening the floodgates in the very third minute. He curled in a 25-yarder that an out of position Macau goalkeeper Leong Chon Kit could only see over his shoulder as the ball curled into the net.
In the 15th minute Yaza Win Thein flashed a header past Leong to give his side a 2-0 lead in the first half.
Three minutes after resumption, Myanmar sealed the fate of the match when Pyaye Phyo drilled a low shot into the far corner of the post. Macau, who looked clueless in their efforts to stop a rampant Myanmar side, conceded a fourth goal in the 59th minute with Myanmar captain Myo Min Tun fittingly ending a lop-sided affair. He ran fast to beat an off side trap and went past the onrushing Leong to nod the ball in an empty net.
After the fantastic opening victory Myanmar coach Tin Myint Aung expressed happiness over his team's performance. He said that his side did pretty well in the tough conditions with mercury rising to 39 degree Celsius.
However Tin was critical of Bangladesh Football Federation's (BFF's) for keeping them seated in the dressing room for one and half hours before the commencement of the match.
"We departed from the hotel at 12.45 pm for a 3.30pm start which I think is just way too early for any team. On top of that we sat in the dressing room for one and a half hours before the match started which really cooled us down and it was difficult to play a match after that," explained Tin.
Macau coach Leung Sui Wing was disappointed over his team's performance but explicated that his team was not full strength in this competition. He also had his version of BFF's shortcomings.
"I think the conditions were pretty severe. It was an excessively hot day and our players clearly could not cope up with the heat. The Myanmar players did well and I knew that because they are used to such conditions."
He also blamed the BFF for not providing enough drinking water.
"Our team did not have enough supply of water as we were given only 60 bottles but we needed more. In the coming matches I would definitely like to have more water for my players as it is very easy to get dehydrated," said Leung in the post match press conference.