Group A: Vietnam 1-1 Myanmar
Bangkok: Myanmar claimed a historic first-ever point in the AFC Futsal Asian Cup™ after opening the 2024 edition with a 1-1 draw with Vietnam in Group A on Wednesday.
18/04/2024 10:21:25
The enthralling encounter at the Hua Mark Indoor Stadium saw Myanmar, appearing for just the second time after losing all three games in their debut in 2018, hold the 2016 semi-finalists to a stunning stalemate.
Vietnam began proceedings on top and Tu Minh Quang had the first sight of goal in the second minute with a fierce shot from outside the area that drew Mai Soe Myat Htwe into a flying save.
Although Diego Giustozzi’s team continued to dominate the ball, Myanmar responded with Myo Thet Aung drilling an effort inches wide at the other end three minutes later.
Nguyen Thinh Phat then drew the Myanmar custodian into another impressive save with five minutes of the half remaining as his left-footed effort took a wicked deflection, but Mai Soe Myat Htwe did well to adjust and finger-tip wide.
With two minutes remaining before the break, Chau Doan Phat couldn’t have been closer to the breakthrough when he saw his header crash against the crossbar from Ho Van Y’s cross before Thinh Phat saw his follow-up saved.
The second half began much the same as the first with Vietnam on top and with just over three minutes played they finally broke the deadlock when Nhan Gia Hung found Dao Minh Quang lurking on the edge of the area and the forward skilfully spun his defender and flashed his strike into the far corner of the net.
But against the run of play Myanmar responded and in the 29th minute they had their equaliser after a fine run down the right by Wai Zin Oo ended in his low cross poked home at the near post by Ko Ko Lwin.
Vietnam again hit the woodwork with just over five minutes of the tie remaining when Tu Minh Quang’s shot from range was deflected onto the post.
It continued to be one-way traffic, but Vietnam struggled to find a way through Myanmar’s hard-working defence and when they did, they found Mai Soe Myat Htwe in inspired form.
The full-time whistle was greeted by scene of delight from the Myanmar players as they celebrated a significant milestone in their futsal history.
Vietnam will meet China PR next on Friday, while Myanmar will be aiming to continue their momentum against hosts Thailand.
