27 Sep
Hantharwady United faced a 2-4 shock loss to Magway FC in their Week-19 match of Myanmar National League which was played yesterday at Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon.
The win for Magway FC was mostly brought about by the collective play of all team’s local youth players. They relied on their power play till the final whistle to create their incredible victory over a big team like Hantharwady. Head coach, U Myo Min Tun’s Hantharwady United, lined up with key players including Donald Bissa, Emeka, Kekere, captain and keeper Ko Ko Naing, Hein Htet Aung, Shwe Hlaing Win and Aung Moe Htwe.
In the meantime, local players based Magway FC showed their best style with youth players keeper Pyae Phyo Thu, captain Naing Naing Kyaw, Kyaw Thet Oo, Win Moe Kyaw, Pyae Moe, Aung Tun Tun and Zin Maung Maung under the guidance of their head coach U Aung Zaw Myo. Hantharwady United started the game with a fast and furious attack, but Magwe relied on clever tackling plus responsive aggression, showcasing brave play of a middle-class team of MNL. Hantharwady United earned their first goal at 21 minutes, and the goal was scored by Aung Hlaing Win by passing over opponents with his smart dribbling.
After 1-0, Hantharwady controlled the game with stable play, and the team carried their good result until the break time.
With a renovated tactic, Magway showed their best style of play in the second half by scoring multi-goals. At 48-minute mark, Magway found their equalizer and youth star Aung Myint Tun netted it. Again, Aung Myint Tun also scored his second goal for the team at 61 minutes to bring super motivation for his team.
After a goal led by Magway FC, Hantharwady tried to break the result and created some more goal opportunities in the last minutes. Magwe played roughly in the penalty area of opponents, and thus Hantharwady gained penalty kick at 78 minutes.
The penalty was successfully kicked by Donald Bissa to score their equalizer at 78 minutes.
After 2-2, Hantharwady launched an open attack, but Magwe relied on a counter play, and Soe Lwin Lwin scored the third goal for Magwe at 80 minutes. Magway’s players were eager for more goals, and Naing Naing Kyaw ended the game with a goal at 89 minutes, and which was a final and fourth goal for his team. The loss of MNL’s favourite team, Hantharwady leads their team to blur their championship dream for this year.
Now, defending champion Shan United is also running in the champion’s path with two matches left to play. Hantharwady will next play against another championship dreamer Ayeyarwady United on 1 October at Thuwunna Stadium, and the match will be a very decisive one to decide who is a champion.
Lynn Thit (Tgi)
