Man of the match Naing Oo Lwin (left) jostles with Yadanarbon’s Ivorian defender Kambou on June 18. Naing Oo Lwin scored both of Yangon’s goals in the 2-2 draw.

YANGON United and Yadanarbon fought out a 2-2 draw at Thuwanna Stadium on June 18 in front of the largest crowd at a domestic football match in at least 23 years.

More than 40,000 fans turned out to watch the clash between the number two and three teams on the Myanmar National League Cup table and they didn’t leave disappointed.

Yan Paing opened the scoring for Yadanarbon in just the fourth minute after a Babo through ball left him one-on-one with the keeper.

Yangon searched hard for a reply, with Myo Min Tun setting up numerous chances for strikers Naing Oo Lwin and Missipo. The former scored the equaliser for Tay Zar’s side on 6 minutes, taking advantage of the indecisiveness of Yadanarbon keeper Yin Min Aung after he was teed up by midfielder Tin Win Aung.

Yadanarbon struggled to match their opponents for the rest of the half and Naing Oo Lwin finally capitalised on his side’s domination by scoring his second of the match two minutes before half time, with Myo Min Tun providing the assist on this occasion.

After going into the break a goal down, Yadanarbon came out firing in the second half, pushing forward and often leaving keeper Yin Min Aung all alone down back. The Mandalay side dominated possession and created several good opportunities but left it till late to find an equaliser.

After 67 minutes captain Khin Maung Tun set up Yan Paing but the striker couldn’t beet Yangon keeper Aung Aung Oo. Just a minute later, Babo failed to capitalise after good work from Toure, who was starting his first game for Yadanarbon.

Down back, Yadanarbon’s defenders managed to control the dangerous trio of Missipo, Myo Min Tun and Naing Oo Lwin, who rarely threatened in the second period.

The equaliser came in the 86th minute when Yangon keeper Aung Aung Oo failed to hold midfielder Aung Kyaw Moe’s long shot.

Yadanarbon head coach Yoan Girard said the result was fair on both sides and praised the performance of Yangon captain Aung Aung Oo.

You look at the performance of our opponent’s keeper, Aung Aung Oo – he was always instructing his players where to position themselves, controlling them. Our keeper should do like this but he has a lot to learn, I will need to work with him more,” Mr Girard said. “I think [leaving the keeper alone in the defensive half] was not dangerous for my side. O would like to see us do this more often, to take the match to our opponents.”

Yadanarbon captain Khin Maung Tun said he was pleased with the way his side responded after a disappointing first half.

“I was disappointed with the way we played after we took the lead, we were unsure of ourselves when passing the ball, especially in attack,” Khin Maung Tun said. “But at half time we spoke about where we were falling down and took that on board in the second half and played a lot better. We created a lot more chances.”

Both coaches praised the performance of referee U Win Cho, who is considered one of the premier referees in the country.