Chonburi – A late penalty by Khun Kyaw Zin Hein gave Myanmar National League champions Shan United FC a narrow advantage over Lao League 1 champions Ezra FC in the first leg of their ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ 2025/26 Qualifying Round Play-Off on Saturday.
Following a lacklustre first half at Chonburi Stadium, the match came alive after the interval as Efrain Rintaro fired Shan United ahead, before Anantaza Siphongphan levelled for Ezra from the penalty spot just after the hour.
However, Shan United were awarded a penalty of their own eight minutes from time and Khun Kyaw Zin Hein made no mistake to give his team a precious lead to take into the second leg in Yangon next Friday.
Shan United qualified for the Shopee Cup™ Group Stage last season after defeating Kasuka FC of Brunei in the Qualifying Round, but despite enjoying nearly three-quarters of possession in the first half, they rarely threatened in attack.
Their best opportunity arrived in the 14th minute when they were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal, but Matheus Souza’s right-footed curler did little to trouble goalkeeper Kop Lokphathip.
Shopee Cup™ debutants Ezra rarely ventured out of their half in the opening 45 minutes and had only a pair of speculative long-range efforts by Phathana Phommathep to show for their attacking endeavours.
The second half proved much livelier and the deadlock was broken by Shan United in the 52nd minute.
A cross from the right picked out a surging Mark Sekyi and although the Ghanian was closed down by the Ezra defence, the ball broke to Rintaro who slammed a right-footed effort past Lokphathip.
Ezra were given the chance to get back on level terms in the 63rd minute when, after a lengthy VAR check, they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Jeong Sang-won by Zwe Khant Min.
Siphongphan kept his composure and fired past goalkeeper Kyaw Zin Phyo into the roof of the net.
However, Shan United were also awarded a penalty after a VAR check in the 82nd minute when Thet Hein Soe was fouled by Phathana Phommathep as he attempted to turn the ball into the net from close range.
Khun Kyaw Zin Hein took responsibility and fired a low effort past Lokphathip to secure a 2-1 victory for Shan United.
The second leg will be played at Thuwanna Stadium on 15 August with the winning team advancing to play in Group B of the Shopee Cup.
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