The Myanmar women’s team celebrate with their trophies after defeating Thailand 4-1 on penalties in the final of the AFF Women’s Championship in Yangon, September 15. From top right down: My Nilar Htwe waves to fans after Myammar's earlier victory over Thailand in the group stage, Septmeber 10; San Yu Naing avoids a tackle during the semifinal against Malaysia, September 13; Myanmar fans enjoy the Laos drubbing, September 8; Zin Mar Wann runs with ball against Laos. Pics: Hein Latt Aung

PHYSICAL conditioning and the fervent support of thousands of screaming fans carried Myanmar to a stunning win over Thailand in the ASEAN Football Federation Women’s Championship final in Yangon on Saturday night.

The 4-1 victory on penalties at a packed Thuwunna Youth Training Centre marked a fairytale finish for a Myanmar side perceived as underdogs against a Thai team considered superior in technical as well as tactical abilities.

But at the crunch it was pure desire to win and overwhelming home support that drove Myanmar beyond what an increasingly weary Thai side could muster.

“I’m overwhelmed with this victory because this is the first time we’ve hosted the women’s ASEAN football competition, and we are the champions,” an ecstatic Aye Kyu told The Myanmar Times as the team he coached ran victory laps , grins as big as the Thai players’ hairdos.

“My players have shown such fighting spirit and worked very hard. I’m so happy for the sake of my players,” he said.

After coming dangerously close to scoring in the opening minutes, Thailand fell into a tough back and forth with Myanmar before the hosts’ emphasis on conditioning in pre-tournament training began to shine through in the second half.

Pinned back and losing what meagre support they had after Thai fans were moved to a VIP box amid a barrage of missiles, the visitors appeared a spent force and Myanmar were unlucky not to score after 90 minutes.

Levelled at 0-0 going into extra time, Myanmar took barely two minutes to get onto the scoresheet when a floating cross from left winger Aye Nandar Hlaing found Khin Moe Wai who headed the ball in, sparking a thunderous roar from the stands.

The party was shortlived though as Thailand stormed back to capitalise on a poor clearance outside the Myanmar goal, allowing Pitsamai Sornsai to tap one in and see the Thais through to a 1-1 finish.

But as Myanmar nailed home the penalties, Thailand came undone, dribbling their second spot kick into keeper May Khin Ya Min’s hands before captain Suphaporn Kaeobaen sent their third wildly over the crossbar, giving Myanmar their second ASEAN crown after they clinched the tournament’s first title in 2004.

Myanmar had a scorching unbeaten run to this year’s final, racking up 16 goals over four matches while conceding none.

First to fall were Singapore, who were left looking to the skies after a 3-0 thumping in torrential run on the opening day of the September 6-15 championship.

Next up was the 7-0 demolition of Laos before Group B rivals Thailand were dismissed 1-0 to give Myanmar the group’s top spot and set up a semifinal against Malaysia – crucially avoiding a premature encounter with Group A favourites Vietnam.

The 5-0 trouncing of Malaysia on September 13 was no surprise, though Thailand’s 3-0 defeat the same day of defending champions Vietnam was a much more substantial victory.

Indeed, there may have been eight nations at the tournament but in reality it was a three-horse race from the start. Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam were head and shoulders above the rest and Malaysia had only the weakness of Indonesia and the Philippines in Group A to thank for their place in the final four.

Myanmar football officials are now looking to repeat their successful hosting of the women’s tournament with a bid for the 2008 ASEAN Football Championship.

Singapore and Thailand on September 15 dropped out of the race to host that event during an AFF meeting in Yangon, leaving Myanmar, Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia in the running.

The next AFF Council meeting will be held in Bali, Indonesia in December 2007.