BOTTOM-PLACED team in the Myanmar League, Army, is sure to be relegated after a punishing 0-3 defeat against Defence last week at Yangon’s Thuwanna Stadium.

The defeat was a tragic end for the newly promoted Army’s attempt to stay in the league. After playing 11 games, they managed only three points from three draws; crucially they lost eight matches.

Even if they manage to win their next two matches the team’s fate is sealed – next season they’re playing in the First Division.

In a must-win game, Army produced some good football to put Defence under heavy pressure, briefly.

Their blitz lasted 10 minutes and vanished as Defence defied their name and went on a sustained attack.

Striker Ye Weiyan Soe opened the scoring on 35 minutes with a perfectly balanced shot to the left corner.

The second goal came after another five minutes when left winger Min Thike Aung floated the ball into the area for midfielder Aung Ko Min’s to finish, which he did with aplomb – chesting it down and the finding the back of the net with his shot.

The last 45 minutes were one-sided and Army seemed resigned to their fate, allowing Defence the run of play and most of the possession.

On 67 minutes Ye Weiyan Soe made full use of a neat Min Thike Aung cross to hammer home volley and ensure a 3-0 drubbing.

Army almost took home a consolation goal on 83 minutes when the skipper Thant Zin Oo’s launched a 25-yard rocket, only to see it saved by Defence’s keeper, Htun Htun Latt.

The win kept Defence fourth on the table with 23 points.

Also in the relegation zone is 13th-placed Forestry with nine points, Agriculture and Irrigation is 12th with 10 points, Home Affairs is 11th, while Royal Eleven FC’s in 10th with only 12 points.

Forestry has two games left to play while Agriculture and Irrigation, Home Affairs and Royal Eleven FC, each have one.

While the race to avoid relegation is fascinating in itself, the title race is thrilling and involves three contenders.

Table leader, Kanbawza finishes with 29 points but defending champs Customs have the same amount of points with a game to play, while Commerce is 3rd at 26 points and one game in hand.

Customs takes on Defence on March 20 in the title fight: If they lose the match Commerce can still take the championship because they have a better goal difference.

But to do this Commerce must defeat YCDC on March 26, the final match of the season.

And if Customs and Commerce both lose their last matches, Kanbawza will be the champions.