DEFENDING champions Myanmar advanced to the semifinals of the Merdeka Tournament this Monday after beating hosts Malaysia 2-1 on August 22 with a match to spare in the group stage.

Myanmar moved to the top of Group A with the win over 10-man Malaysia at the MBPJ Stadium in Kelana Jaya having edged African side Lesotho 1-0 in their opening match on August 20.

Myanmar faced winless Laos on August 25 for their last group fixture before the semifinal on Monday at the 81,000-capacity Shah Alam Stadium 25km outside Kuala Lumpur.

The final of the 10-day football tournament is on Wednesday night.
Eight teams entered the 39th Merdeka Tournament, including five Southeast Asian sides, two African teams and one from South Asia.

Group B comprised Bangladesh, Indonesia, Singapore and Zimbabwe, FIFA’s top-ranked team at the competition.

Myanmar, guided by Brazilian Marcos Falopa in his international debut with the national team, won the tournament in August last year and are viewing this year’s edition as an important confidence booster before the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games this December in Bangkok.

Aung Myo Thant and seasoned campaigner Yan Paing scored against Malaysia on August 22 while captain Soe Myat Min netted in Myanmar’s 1-0 earlier win over Lesotho.

The Merdeka tournament is the oldest football tournament in Southeast Asia. Myanmar has won the Merdeka Cup four times in the past; in 1964, 1967, 1971 and then in 2006 when it returned to the competition after a 25-year absence.