by Jens Raitanen
Myanmar’s national football team’s quest for a place in next year’s AFC Asian Cup hinges on their final two qualifiers as they aim to reach the tournament for the first time in 50 years.
The White Angels face Kyrgyzstan in the South Korean city of Incheon on March 22 before hosting Macau at the Thuwunna Stadium in Yangon on March 27.
Myanmar currently sit third in Group A with five points, two behind closest rivals Kyrgyzstan who occupy the last qualifying spot. The already qualified India top the group with 13 points while Macau are bottom with zero points.
Should Head Coach Gerd Zeise and his side win both matches, they will reach Asia’s most
prestigious football competition for the first time since 1968, when they finished runners-up to hosts Iran.
To this day that remains Myanmar’s, known then as Burma, only appearance at a major
tournament.
Myanmar are expected to defeat Macau in their final qualifier but they will face a tough task to beat Kyrgyzstan, who claimed a surprise 2-2 draw in Yangon in October last year.
Thursday March 22:
Kyrgyzstan – Myanmar (12.30pm Myanmar Time)
Tuesday March 27:
Myanmar – Macau (06.00pm Myanmar Time at Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon)
