Yangon: Myanmar kept their hopes of reaching the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ semi-finals alive after Win Naing Tun scored two late goals to seal a come-from-behind 3-2 win over Laos in a thriller at Thuwunna Stadium on Wednesday.
After Lwin Moe Aung opened the scoring for the hosts in the Group B match, Laos staged a stirring comeback with quickfire goals from Kydavone Souvanny and Chony Wenpaserth to lead as the game entered its final 10 minutes. Myanmar were heading for an early exit before first-half substitute Win Naing Tun's dramatic double capped an incredible finale.
The victory moved Myanmar on to four points from three games, ahead of a crucial final round showdown with leaders Vietnam, while Laos came agonisingly close to a first win in the ASEAN Championship for 20 years.
It was the visitors who began the match on the front foot as a miscontrol from Myanmar’s Soe Moe Kyaw at the back led to Laos’ Peeter Phanthavong bearing down on goal but Zin Nyi Nyi Aung made a crucial save to deny him, while Chanthavixay Khounthoumphone found himself all free in the box but his effort lacked conviction to trouble the goalkeeper.
Another one-on-one chance went begging in the 20th minute, with Soukphachan Leuanthala rounding Zin Nyi Nyi Aung but blasting it over the bar.
It was a shaky start for Myanmar, who gradually grew into the game and had a huge chance themselves when a cross-cum-shot from Maung Maung Lwin hit Laotian captain Phetdavanh Somsanid, who had to make a last-ditch clearance on the line.
Myo Hlaing Win’s side dominated the rest of the half and they eventually made the breakthrough in the 32nd minute, when Lwin Moe Aung buried a header after a flick on from substitute Win Naing Tun, who had come on midway through the first half.
Talisman Maung Maung Lwin was lively throughout, causing the Laotian backline plenty of problems as Myanmar took control of the tie after the restart. He thought he had doubled Myanmar’s lead after a cut-back from Win Naing Tun but the provider was deemed to be offside.
However, Laos stayed in the game and in a shock turn of events scored two goals in the space of less than four minutes to stun Myanmar and set up a tense final 10 minutes.
They first hit back through substitute Souvanny, who stabbed the ball home after pinball in the box, and there was another twist to come when another substitute, Wenpaserth, latched onto a defence-splitting through ball from Damoth Thongkhamsavath in the 81st minute to put the visitors into the lead.
However, Laos’ hopes were dashed when Win Naing Tun headed home the rebound after Laotian goalkeeper Xaysavath Souvanhansok made a point-blank save following a set-piece.
And there was more drama to come when the forward capped off a fine display with his second goal of the night after Souvanhansok had saved his intiial effort to spark scenes of celebration on the Myanmar bench.
Myanmar next make the tricky trip to group leaders Vietnam on Saturday when only a win would see them have any chance of reaching the last four, while Laos bow out of the tournament with their heads held high after two draws and two defeats.
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