Home Affairs goalscorer Nay Lin Htun controls the ball during his side’s 3-2 defeat. Pic: Aye Zaw Myo

REIGNING Myanmar Leag-ue champion Customs on July 18 secured a place in the Closing Cup final against archrival Commerce, overc-oming Home Affairs 3-2 in a thrilling semi-final clash at Thuwunna Stadium.

Next week’s encounter will be something of a grudge match, with Customs losing 1-2 to Commerce in last month’s Olympic Day lightning tournament. The two sides also contested the most thrilling game of the last Myanmar League season, with Customs coming out on top 3-2 back in March.

As befitting the importance of the match an unusually high number of spectators turned out for the clash.

Customs, Myanmar League champions for the past six years, made an excellent start, producing several magnificent efforts in the opening five minutes and putting Home Affairs’ keeper and defenders and keeper under early pressure.

Home Affairs settled down after 10 minutes, tightening up at the back and left their opponents with few options to goal.

Customs winger Aung Kyaw Moe was a continual threat and almost broke the deadlock after 20 minutes but his thunderous shot from the right flank was well-saved by keeper Nyi Nyi Lwin.

The slippery Aung Kyaw Moe continued to trouble the Home Affairs defence, his solo runs proving effective and he set up Soe Myat Min with a good chance that the Customs skipper failed to capitalise on.

Customs finally made the breakthrough in 22nd minute when a corner kick from the left by winger Aung Htun Linn was met by giant striker Yan Paing, who headed decisively into the back of the net from the far post.

Home Affairs almost equalised immediately; on 26 minutes a cross-cum-shot from the left by striker Sithu Win was parried by keeper Aung Aung Oo. The rebound fell invitingly to midfielder Nay Linn Htun but his header flew just over the bar.

Home Affairs were looking increasingly comfortable but it was Customs who nearly scored next. Soe Myat Min was fed the ball from the midfield on 29 minutes and dribbled into the penalty box, his shot to left corner of the goal was again well-saved by keeper Nyi Nyi Lwin.

Customs then doubled their lead on 35 minutes when a cross from midfielder Lwin Oo was exquisitely hea-ded over the lunging keeper – who had left his line to catch the ball – by Soe Myat Min.

After going ahead 2-0 Customs continued to domin-ate for the rest of the half and on 45 minutes Aung Kyaw Moe nearly added a third, hit-ting the post from close range.

Home Affairs started positively in the second half and pulled one back on 47 minute, Nay Lin Htun fini-shing from close range after being set up by Sithu Win.

Just six minutes later Customs re-established their two goal buffer when substitute Kyaw Thura superbly headed home a neat cross from the irrepressible Aung Kyaw Moe.

The reigning champions’ third headed goal looked to have killed off the match but a fabulous piece of work from Home Affairs striker Sithu Win brought his side back into the contest once again. From the counterattack, Home Affairs’ Nay Lin Htun floated the ball into the box and the striker showed great touch, controlling the ball with his chest before lobbing it just over Customs keeper Aung Aung Oo.

At 3-2 the game burst once again into life with players from both sides robustly trying to advance their team’s cause. Consequently, Cust-oms midfielder Lwin Oo was booked for a brutal tackle on Zaw Lin Htun in the 78th minute before Home Affairs defender Zaw Zaw Aung was sent off on 82 minutes for a second yellow.

Despite being down to 10 men, Home Affairs pushed forward for an equaliser in the final minutes but to no avail, the match ending in a 3-2 victory for Customs.

They will now meet Commerce, who beat Royal Eleven FC 2-0 earlier in the day, in the Closing Cup final on July 22 at Yangon’s Aung San Stadium.