Myanmar, Viet Nam advance to ASEAN Women’s Championship semifinals

Myanmar and Viet Nam women’s football teams reached the semifinal spots after bagging three straight wins in the group matches of the ASEAN Women’s Championship held in Manila, the Philippines on 11 July.
Myanmar beat Laos 3-1 and Viet Nam made a win over Timor-Leste 6-0. The Myanmar women’s team defeated Timor-Leste and Cambodia in the previous group matches as well to advance to the semi-finals. The Myanmar women’s team has been facing weak teams in a row, but in addition to the wins, they have also tested the tactics and players’ skills and all three matches have played with a different roster.
For the first time, Myanmar women’s team head coach Daw Thet Thet Win used strikers Win Theingi Tun and San Thaw Thaw, who have been sidelined for some time due to injuries.
Myanmar team line-up includes Khin Malar Tun, goalies Zu Latt Nadi, Aye Aye Moe, Khin Than Wai, Zun Yu Ya Oo, Myat Noe Khin, Nant Zu Zu Htet, Pont Pont Pyae Maung and July Kyaw. Team Myanmar launched the attack from the beginning but was able to score only one goal in the first half due to the well-organized defence of Laos.
In the 39th minute, Laos scored their own goal and the Myanmar team earned the first goal. Myanmar led the first half from 1-0.
Myanmar team got a second goal at the beginning of the second half and team captain Khin Malar Tun touched the ball into the net. After that, the Myanmar team was able to put more pressure and July Kyaw scored the third goal in the 63rd minute. In the 65th minute, Laos scored the equalizer but the Myanmar team kept the victory until the end of the match. After this match, Myanmar and Viet Nam reached the semi-finals with 9 points from 3 wins. Myanmar will play against Viet Nam on 13 July for the first-place position in the group. — Ko Nyi Lay/GNLM