Tun Tun Win is surrounded by Thai players during the final of the Southeast Asian Games on December 14.—Pic: AFP

MYANMAR went down to home side Thailand 0-2 in the final of the Southeast Asian Games but football fans in Yangon said they were satisfied with the team’s performance.

Fans watching the match at teashops and beer stations in Yangon on December 14, like Ko Aung Khin Zaw in his 40s, said Myanmar’s players – who were carrying the hopes of a success-starved nation – competed well in the final.

“Although we lost, it’s a great achievement for our football because this was the first time in 14 years that we’ve managed to get into the SEA Games final,” he said at the Moe Mingyi beer station in North Okkalapa.

“I’m quite happy with our team’s performance and we did have chances to score goals. Unfortunately I think our footballers were under too much pressure because it was final and they were playing the host team in front of huge home crowd,” he said.

The first 10 minutes were hotly contested between the two sides but a neat pass from Thailand’s midfield to Anon Sangsonoi running down the right of centre left him one-on-one with Myanmar’s keeper. From there a deft shot above Kyaw Zin Htet’s head quickly found the back of the net and Myanmar had slumped to 0-1.

A second goal headed home by Teeratep Winothai – who had troubled the defence many times already – on 38 minutes effectively sealed the match in Thailand’s favour.

Myanmar played valiantly and tirelessly in the second half but could not convert any of their attacking opportunities into goals because the Thai defensive players mobbed any forward thrusts.

In the end it was Thailand who was crowned SEA Games champion for the eighth consecutive time.

Ko Kyaw Zaw Moe, who watched the final at a Yangon teashop, said he preferred Myanmar’s play in the semi-final, which was a fairytale story against an old foe: The team triumphed over Vietnam – a team that had knocked Myanmar out in the 1995 semis by a golden goal – in a thrilling penalty shootout on December 12.

“Myanmar played good football in the semi-final game against Vietnam but they couldn’t get into any rhythm in the final against Thailand. I think that if they had played like they did against Vietnam they would have done much better in the final,” he said.

However, he admitted that beating the heavily fancied Thai side was a tall order.

“We knew that it would be difficult to beat Thailand but we still hoped to win gold. But by winning the silver medal, the team has made us all very proud,” he said, adding that the match showed a glimpse of a promising future.

“Our footballers have improved a lot under the new coach from Brazil, Marcos Falopa, and we hope our team will win more matches in the future,” he said.
Before the SEA Games Marcos Falopa said he would adopt some tactics from the World Cup qualifying match against China in October.

These offensive tactics worked extremely well in the critical match against Cambodia where Myanmar romped home 6-2 – giving the side a birth into the semis. However, the tactics were less effective against the ruthlessly fast and fit Thai defence in the final.

But Mr Falopa said Thailand had a lot to play for.

“It was difficult. They really wished to win this competition and they played at home and had a lot of experience,” he said after the final.

In the match to decide the bronze medal, Singapore trounced Vietnam 5-0 in a commanding display.

In the women’s football draw Thailand was also the winner, defeating Vietnam 2-0 on December 13. In another strong performance, Myanmar’s women’s side clinched bronze, thrashing Laos 5-0.