Manila: The Philippines and Myanmar played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in their ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup™ 2024 Group B tie at Rizal Memorial Stadium on Thursday.
Myanmar took the lead against the run of play through a superb free-kick from captain Maung Maung Lwin midway through the first half before Bjorn Kristensen equalised from the spot with a little under 20 minutes to play.
Both sides had chances late on but a winning goal was not forthcoming as the Philippines opened their campaign with a draw while Myanmar picked up their first point having been narrowly beaten by Indonesia on Monday.
The Philippines had their first sight on goal inside five minutes when some good footwork from Sandro Reyes saw him break into space before slipping a neat through ball to Kristensen, but goalkeeper Zin Nyi Nyi Aung was off his line quickly to deny the forward.
And the hosts almost took the lead on 15 minutes, Kristensen with another chance, this time after receiving a pass from Alex Monis in the right side of the penalty area, but his shot across goal went narrowly wide of the far post.
Another opportunity went begging almost immediately after, Monis again in acres of space down the right and cutting the ball back for the unmarked Zico Bailey, who fired well over the bar from the penalty spot when he should have done better.
The one-way traffic continued and in the 20th minute Zin Nyi Nyi Aung pulled off a brilliant save after Christian Rontoni rose highest in the box to head Reyes’ corner from the left goalwards.
Incredibly, Myanmar then took the lead in the 25th minute through a stunning free-kick from star man Maung Maung Lwin, who curled the ball over the wall and into the back of the net from 25 yards out.
As half-time approached, Zin Nyi Nyi Aung made another outstanding save, this time after Reyes had chipped a long ball over the top for Kristensen whose lob from outside the area appeared to be dropping into the net, only for the goalkeeper to get his fingertips to it to push wide for a corner.
The hosts were on top in the opening stages of the second half but struggled to create any clear-cut chances before disaster almost struck in the 63rd minute when Ye Ying Aung found the back of the net after a counter-attack. However, Albert Capellas's players breathed a sigh of relief as the VAR ruled the goal offside.
And that gave the Philippines the boost they needed as, soon after, Reyes played a through ball to Kristensen who, baring down on goal, was fouled by Zin Nyi Nyi Aung as he attempted to round him. The Number 10 dusted himself down and dispatched the ensuing penalty – although only just – under the diving Myanmar custodian.
Spurred on by the leveller, the Philippines pushed for the winner and Kristensen had yet another chance, picking up a loose ball in the penalty area before firing into the side netting from a narrow angle.
The visitors showed they were not out of it when Maung Maung Lwin attempted to chip Deyto at the end of a rare move forward with three minutes of regulation time remaining, but the goalkeeper was equal to the challenge and gathered the ball safely.
Ten minutes of stoppage time gave plenty of time for a winner and Bailey’s long-distance effort drew another fine save from Zin Nyi Nyi Aung as the Philippines desperately sought to claim the three points, but it was not to be as the contest ended all square.
The Philippines will travel to Vientiane to take on Laos on Sunday while Myanmar’s next match is at home to the Laotians on December 18.
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