Abu Dhabi: A solitary goal by Than Paing was enough to dash UAE’s hopes as hosts Myanmar made it to the semi-finals of the AFC U-19 Championship, for the first time since 1971, at the Thuwunna Youth Training Centre Stadium on Friday.
The win for the seven-time champions also assured them of a place at the Fifa U-20 World Cup, to be held next year in New Zealand, for the first time in the nation’s history. DPR Korea also advanced to the semi-finals edging out Japan 5-4 on penalties after both teams we locked at 1-1 at Wunna Theikdi Stadium.
Myanmar made the crucial breakthrough eight minutes after the change of ends. Ahmad Rashid brought down Paing nearly 40 yards from goal and the resulting free-kick provided Myanmar the breakthrough. Paing stuck out his leg in time to poke the ball home from close range obliging to a well-directed cross.
The match came alive as the UAE upped the tempo with a series of raids. However, Myanmar custodian Myo Min Latt was simply exceptional under the bar. He pulled off a number of saves including tipping one shot from close range onto the crossbar. Latt also needed medical assistance after he took a heavy knock in the 63rd minute going for a swift clearance. UAE remained on the offensive and forced a number of corners but all in vain. None was any serious threat to an alert Latt.
The hosts had to weather some anxious moments towards the dying minutes as UAE managed a free-kick on the edge of the box. However, UAE couldn’t make that count as the shot couldn’t breach the Myanmar wall. The final whistle triggered wild celebrations in the packed stands.
The first session was also dominated by UAE but Myanmar’s defence coped well to keep their forwards at bay. In the 27th minute, Khalfan Mubarak made a defence-splitting run - latching on a long ball from the deep but his shot lacked the power to beat the lone custodian Latt. In the 32nd minute, Rashid came up with a well-directed header but only managed to see it being cleared off the goalline by Nanda Kyaw, stationed at the far post.
