Construction player Kyaw Zin Nyunt looks to take on Forestry’s Thein Zaw Myo. Pic: Hein Latt Aung

MYANMAR League powerhouse Customs suffered a dramatic upset at the hands of lowly YCDC last week, going down 2-0 at Aung San Stadium.

The result dampened the defending champions’ hopes of retaining the title for a sixth consecutive time. In their last three matches of the season Customs is scheduled to play tough fixtures against Kanbawza and Commerce, who are also both vying for the title.

It was two second half goals in nine minutes to YCDC that stunned the favourites. Aung Myint Aye was the catalyst, setting up both goals.

YCDC were gifted the lead in the 66th minute after a mistake from Customs and national team goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo; his hesitant clearance from an Aung Myint Aye corner gifted the ball to Aung Moe, who took his opportunity with a close-range volley.

Customs skipper Soe Myat Min almost equalised in the 74th minute when his far post header hit the woodwork. One minute later, Customs’ hopes were totally destroyed when Aung Myint Aye’s neat cross was superbly finished by YCDC skipper Zaw Zaw.

Customs threw everything at YCDC in the last 10 minutes but couldn’t get past keeper Yin Min Aung, who denied their shots with some brilliant saves.

The victory lifted YCDC to the sixth on the table, well clear of the relegation zone where competition has been just as intense as at the top as the season nears its end.

Last week, thirteenth-placed Forestry earned a valuable point in a goalless draw with Construction.

Forestry was under pressure throughout the match and Construction went close on several occasions. Forestry keeper Nyi Nyi Tun made four top saves in the first half, including one in the 18th minute, denying striker Lar Kyae Olwe.

The match was more competitive in the second half but still Construction were the better side. Midfielder Tun Lin Aung was unlucky not to get the decisive goal in the 50th minute; after beating the keeper one-on-one, his goalward shot was cleared off the line by defender Naing Lin Oo.

Construction’s misfortune kept up when Lar Kyae Olwe’s header hit the post on 58 minutes and, just a minute later, a powerful twenty-five yard shot from Sithu Than also hit the woodwork.

The relegation clash between Agriculture and Irrigation and Army ended in a 2-2 draw while the eleventh-placed Royal Eleven FC was demolished by Defense 3-0. Agriculture and Irrigation remain in twelfth while Army is rooted to the bottom.

Wins to Commerce and Kanbawza later in the week lifted both teams ahead of Customs, who now have their work cut out if they are to retain the title.