Kanbawza's keeper, Ya Wei Zin beats Energy's striker, Aung Kyaw Myo, to the ball.

ENERGY set up a quarterfinal clash with Home Affairs during the Myanmar Football league’s Closing Cup football tournament after defeating Kanbawza 4-1 in a penalty shootout at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium on July 10.

It was a well deserved victory for Energy after their fightback in the second half that saw them close a two goal deficit.

It was regular season runners up, Kanbawza, who made the early running, creating a number of chances in the first 20 minutes of the game.

Kanbawza took the lead on the 24th minute when striker Kyaw Thiha shot from close range after a cross from winger Nay Win.

Midfielder Nay Zaw Htet nearly added a second on 33 minutes when his thunderbolt shot hit the woodwork. The strike left Energy’s defenders shell-shocked and they were lucky to enter half-time only 1-0 down.

Energy returned to form in the second half and striker Aung Kyaw Myo nearly equalised at the 51-minute mark when his diving header was saved by the keeper, Ya Wei Zin.

But it was Kanbawza who took a second goal on 54 minutes when Nay Win’s surprise shot from 25 metres up the left flank beat the keeper, Htin Aung.

However, that goal galvanised Energy, who responded with a withering counter attack, including winger Min Min Tun’s brutal tackle on Nay Win at the 62-minute mark.

And when Energy’s skipper Zaw Htet Aung was moved from defence into the midfield things started to happen. On 67 minutes Min Min Tun neatly crossed from the right edge and found Naing Win, who made no mistake.

Energy levelled the game in the 80th minute when forward Aung Kyaw Myo scored the equalising goal from a lovely Kyaw Khaing Win pass.

Extra time proved useless, with both teams adopting a defensive outlook and the match went to penalties. Energy’s chosen strikers made no mistakes – scoring all four of their shots, while Kanbawza’s forwards Tun Min Oo and Kyaw Thiha both missed, handing Energy a spot in the quarterfinal against Home Affairs, which will be played on July 15.

The tournament started on July 5 and was played at Yangon’s Thuwunna and Aung San stadiums after being delayed by two months.

A total of 17 teams, 13 from the Myanmar League and top four teams from the First Division played against in the knockout rounds.

Knockout Results: Kanbawza 4-1 YCDC; Myanmar Posts and Telecommunications 2-1 No 2 Electrical Power; Customs def Navy; Royal Eleven FC 2-1 Railway; Agriculture and Irrigation 2-1 Forestry; Defense 3-2 Transport; Home Affairs 3-1 Air Bagan FC; Commerce 5-1 Army; Energy beat Kanbawza 4-1 (penalties).