Energy goalkeeper Kyaw Min Hlaing clears the ball from the feet of Air Bagan midfielder Kyaw Zayar Win towards the end of the first half. The move was one of Air Bagan's best goalscoring opportunities in last week's 2-1 loss. Pic: Hein Latt Aung

AN experienced Ministry of Energy side survived an early scare to overcome newly-promoted Air Bagan FC 2-1 in an entertaining Myanmar League match at Aung San stadium on January 5.

The impressive Naing Oo Lwin opened the scoring for Air Bagan in just the seventh minute but Energy dominated in a lacklustre second half, equalising on 53 minutes before Myanmar international Kyaw Khine Win scored the winner in the 67th minute.

Air Bagan opened brightly, with lone striker Naing Oo Lwin particularly menacing for the Energy defence. He was well supported by speedy wingers Naing Naing and David Tan, on the left and right respectively, and it was Tan who set up the opening goal.

On seven minutes he split open the Energy defence, which had pushed up for a throw, with a side-footed pass to Naing Oo Lwin that left the striker one-on-one with the Energy keeper. The striker made no mistake, sending half the crowd – including Air Bagan owner U Tay Za – into raptures.

Air Bagan almost doubled their lead on 10 minutes when a free kick floated in from the right by Mun Kyaw Htoo was dropped by the Energy goalkeeper but his defence managed to clear to safety.

Naing Oo Lwin’s pace continued to cause problems for Energy and on 13 minutes Lin Lin Htwe was shown a yellow card for a cynical challenge on the Air Bagan striker. From the resulting free kick Aung Thike flicked the ball onto the post but the linesman had already flagged for offside.

Air Bagan defender Mun Kyaw Htoo then played Naing Naing clear through but the winger took too long to shoot, allowing defender Min Min Tun to execute a vital tackle and concede a corner.

The robust challenges continued, particularly from a rattled Energy defence. They did themselves no favours by constantly giving the ball away in their own half under pressure from the Air Bagan attackers.

On 20 minutes it was Myo Zaw Oo’s turn to bring down Naing Oo Lwin and the Energy man was lucky to escape without a yellow card. The scything tackle forced the striker off the field for several minutes to receive treatment.

Energy’s skipper, Myanmar international Zaw Htet Aung, was being closely marked by the Air Bagan midfield and had little impact in the opening period. However, he almost opened Energy’s account on 27 minutes after Naing Zeyar Tun parried Aung Kyaw Myo’s shot from the edge of the area into his path but the midfielder couldn’t beat the Air Bagan keeper with the follow up.

Naing Zeyar Tun came under pressure again a few minutes later when Kyaw Khine Win played a neat one-two with Aung Kyaw Myo, but his shot curled just wide of the far post.

Zaw Htet Aung was becoming more influential as the game wore on. In the 35th minute he was brought down in a dangerous area and from the free kick he flashed the ball just wide of Naing Zeyar Tun’s right post.

As an entertaining first half drew to a close, Air Bagan almost doubled their advantage when midfielder Kyaw Zayar Win went on a mazy run through the Energy defence but, instead of shooting, he tried to go around Energy keeper Kyaw Min Hlaing, who smothered the ball at his feet.

Air Bagan’s profligate finishing was shown up, somewhat fortuitously, by Energy in a less eventful second half.

In the 53rd minute, Energy floated in a seemingly harmless cross from the left flank that keeper Naing Zeyar Tun fumbled, leaving Energy striker Saing Than Aung with a simple tap-in. It was a harsh lesson for Air Bagan, who had been the better side for the majority of the first half, and an error that swung the momentum to Energy.

Fifteen minutes later, their internationals combined for the winner when Zaw Htet Aung swung in a free kick from the right and Kyaw Khine Win rose unchallenged to head past Naing Zeyar Tun.

The goal deflated Air Bagan and, sensing the match was slipping away, coach Tin Maung Tun introduced ageing former international Myo Hlaing Win in the 70th minutej in a bid to snatch an equaliser.

However, he and Naing Oo Lwin – who continued to battle hard – couldn’t capitalise on some half chances and Energy did their best to wind down the clock.

They were helped by the referee, who blew the whistle 15 seconds early despite more than a minute of injury time being lost when an Air Bagan player needed treatment for a knock.

The win moved Energy to equal top of the Myanmar League table on seven points, behind traditional powerhouses Customs and Commerce. Air Bagan sit in eighth place, on four points.

In other results last week, Customs, Construction and Kanbawza all won, while Defense and Myanmar Railways drew 1-1 and Commerce was held to a 0-0 draw by Forestry.