HYDERABAD, India – Myanmar downed Nepal 3-0 in the teams’ opening game of the AFC Challenge Cup ’08 at the Gahchibowli Stadium in Hyderabad.

However, the match will be remembered more for the floodlights going off for nine minutes which left the stadium in stark darkness.

Nepal started well in the first half and had better possession but couldn’t make the most of their chances.

In the sixth minute Nepal’s Bijoy struck a fierce shot which was well stopped by goalkeeper Aung Aung Oo. And striker Santosh broke free on the right wing and was almost through for a crack at goal but the referee ruined the play, legitimately, by raising the flag for offside.

The second half started with Nepal’s Sandip Rai sending in a shot that almost hit home, narrowly missing.

And then Myanmar’s winger, Yazar Win Thein, sent in a pinpoint cross that the Nepalese keeper was unable to collect cleanly at the first attempt. Luckily for him, there were no Myanmar players to clean up and he was able to regain the ball.

The 66th minute finally saw Yazar Win Thein being rewarded for his efforts as a cracking shot cannoned into the crossbar and then deflected into the back of the net.

The second goal of the match was undoubtedly the goal of the tournament so far. Substitute left-winger Myo Min Tun scraped past two Nepali defenders who stood in amazement looking at each other and scored from an acute angle at 76th minute.

Nepal lost their composure and were looking vulnerable thereafter. Myanmar coach’s substitutions worked again with the skipper, Soe Myat Min adding a third goal on 86 minutes to confirm his side’s victory.

The match ended with Myanmar bagging three points.