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No advantage for Myanmar: Avramovic

The 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup kicks off tomorrow with co-hosts Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Laos in action in Group A in Hanoi, followed by Group B on Sunday, with Myanmar taking on Malaysia and Thailand meeting co-hosts Singapore. TODAY shifts the spotlight today to Myanmar, who are seeking to revive their glory days under former Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic.

Avramovic (in white) during a training session with the Myanmar team at Serangoon Stadium on Wednesday. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

Avramovic (in white) during a training session with the Myanmar team at Serangoon Stadium on Wednesday. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

The 2014 AFF Suzuki Cup kicks off tomorrow with co-hosts Vietnam, Indonesia, Philippines and Laos in action in Group A in Hanoi, followed by Group B on Sunday, with Myanmar taking on Malaysia and Thailand meeting co-hosts Singapore. TODAY shifts the spotlight today to Myanmar, who are seeking to revive their glory days under former Singapore coach Radojko Avramovic.

SINGAPORE — By his own admission, Radojko Avramovic thinks his Myanmar side are underdogs in Group B of the upcoming ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) Suzuki Cup.

With holders and co-hosts Singapore, and former winners Thailand and Malaysia all having lifted the trophy a combined eight times between them, Myanmar, in terms of their record in the tournament, appear the odd ones out in what looks likely to be a keenly-contested grouping, where only the top two sides join their counterparts from Group A in the semi-finals.

In FIFA’s latest world rankings released on Oct 23, Myanmar are ranked 137th, ahead of Malaysia (156), Singapore (161) and Thailand (165). But that means little to the ever-pragmatic Avramovic, who insists Myanmar face an uphill task if they are to overcome their Group B rivals and land their first AFF Suzuki Cup title.

“We are in the group of champions who have won the title eight times between them,” said 64-year-old Avramovic, who led Singapore to three titles during his near-decade-long tenure here.

“Thailand (have won it) three times, Malaysia once and Singapore four times. It will be hard for us. And don’t forget all three teams in our group have retained the backbone of the team which took part in the previous edition of the championship.

“So our opponents are all coming into the championship with a fair bit of experience in the tournament.”

Only the wily, poker-faced Serbian will know if he is indulging in pre-tournament mind games, but his opponents will be wary of his proven track record in this region, having guided Singapore to AFF titles in 2004, 2007 and 2012 before stepping down as head coach of the Lions.

But Avramovic dismissed any suggestion that his intimate knowledge of Singapore’s national side, many of whom were once his players since inherited by successor Bernd Stange, would give Myanmar an advantage when the two sides meet at the National Stadium in their second group match on Nov 26.

“It means nothing. Winning the title three times with Singapore will not give me any advantage. Every tournament is different, every team is different,” said Avramovic.

Since taking charge of Myanmar four months ago, Avramovic has made a strong start, with his side winning the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying competition in Laos with three wins and a draw.

Included in his squad for the tournament are 18-year-old Than Paing — a member of Myanmar’s under-19 side that reached next year’s FIFA under-20 World Cup — and veterans in forward Yan Paing, 32, and defender and captain Khin Maung Lyin, 28, who have collected 112 caps between them.

Kyaw Ko Ko, their top scorer in the qualifiers with three goals, has also been included, despite a long-term injury that kept him out of the second half of last year’s South-east Asian Games in Naypyidaw after scoring three goals.

Also getting the nod is influential midfielder Kyi Lin despite not being 100 per cent fit due to injury.

“I want to believe Myanmar football is on the right track. I can see exciting talent in our under-19 squad and it would be challenging coaching them and helping them improve,” said Avramovic.

Myanmar’s national sides of the past were known to be energetic, quick and exciting to watch.

But Avramovic believes they must start to make their presence count where it really matters if they are to regain their heyday of the 1960s and 70s, when they won the 1966 and 1970 Asian Games and dominated the then-South-east Asian Peninsular Games from 1965 to 1973.

“We have never made any impact in the championship, bowing out after the group matches,” he said. “Things will be very hard this time too, but we must try to be competitive.”

FACT BOX

MYANMAR

Nickname: White Angels

Coach: Radojko Avramovic

FIFA world ranking: 137

AFF Suzuki Cup record: 4th in 2004

Matches: Group B — Malaysia (Nov 23), Singapore (Nov 26), Thailand (Nov 29)

SQUAD:

Goalkeeper — Kyaw Zin Phyo, Thiha Si Thu.

Defenders — Aung Zaw, Davit Htan, Khin Maung Lwin, Nay Myo Aung, Sithu Aung, Win Min Htut, Ye Win Aung, Zaw Min Tun.

Midfielders — Aung Kyaw Naing, Chit Su Moe, Kyi Lin, Min Min Thu, Nanda Lin Kyaw Chit, Tin Win Aung, Yan Aung Kyaw.

Forwards — Kyaw Ko Ko, Soe Min Oo, Yan Paing.

Visit www.affsuzukicup.com/2014 for ticketing and other details.

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