West Bank, May 22 (IANS) Myanmar rode two first half goals from Naw Phaw and Khin Moe Wai to edge past India in their first Group D encounter of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup football qualifiers at the Faisal Al Huseni Stadium here.
Naw Phaw and Khin Moe Wai scored first half goals for Myanmar in the 5th and 26th minute respectively and Yee Yee Oo’s effort in the 27th minute hit the woodwork here Tuesday night.
Before India could settle down and get a feel of the artificial turf, Myanmar surged ahead. It was a good goal and goalkeeper Roshni Devi had no chance from a one-to-one situation.
Receiving a cross from winger Khin Moe Wai, the Myanmar forward did well to escape her marker and place her shot into the roof of the net.
Striker Bala Devi had a golden opportunity to convert in the 22nd minute after being set up by former India Captain Oinam Bembem Devi on top of the box. The striker from Manipur failed to connect.
Just when India looked to have found their rhythm which helped them do a double against Bahrain a week ago in two Friendlies, Myanmar doubled the lead cashing in on the counter. Moe Wai converted Than Than Htwe’s spadework from close range. It was 2-0 at halftime.
In the opening exchanges of the second essay, Myanmar – playing a high line in the first half – were forced to drop deep as the likes of Bembem Devi and Kamala Devi made frequent inroads into the final third.
Myanmar attacked in phases, mostly attempting to increase the cushion from set pieces. They were literally defending in numbers switching from the initial 4-4-2 formation to a defensive 5-4-1.
India coach Anadi Barua made two changes — Pinky Bompal replaced Bala Devi and Sasmita Malik made way for Dangmei Grace but it didn’t work as the match ended 2-0 in favour of Myanmar.
In the first match of the day, Chinese Taipei blanked hosts Palestine 6-0 in the Group’s curtain-raiser. Midfielder Lin Ya Han notched up a hattrick while Lin Kai Lin, Lai Li Chin and and Yu Hsiu Chin netted one a piece.
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