Home fall to AFC Cup opening loss in Myanmar

SINGAPORE — Home United’s return to the Asian Football Confederations (AFC) Cup after three years did not end well as they went down 1-0 to Myanmar champions Yadanarbon FC on Wednesday (Feb 22).

Away at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium, the S.League side struggled to get a foothold on the game and failed to muster a single shot on target until the hour mark in their Group H opener.

By then, the hosts, who won their domestic league by 14 points last season, had gone ahead through Aung Thu’s simple finish on the stroke of half-time.

Collecting Hlaing Bo Bo’s pass in his stride, Myo Ko Tun glided past two defenders in the box before cutting the ball back for Aung, who calmly side-footed it in from six metres.

The trio featured for the Myanmar national team at last year’s AFF Suzuki Cup.

Striker Stipe Plazibat, playing upfront with debutant Marijan Suto, tested Pyae Lyan Aung for the first time midway through the second half but his fierce effort was straight at the custodian.

Faris Ramli, a bright spot for Home throughout, was then unfortunate to see his strike from a tight angle come back off the bar after he had danced past three opponents in the area.

At the other end, Yadanarbon remained a genuine threat on the break but could not quite add to their advantage.

But Aidil Sharin’s men simply could not find a way to breach the opposition goal and fell to a narrow loss.

Home captain and goalkeeper Hassan Sunny said: “It was a frustrating night for us and I think luck wasn’t on our side. That said, they have a good team, with smart, intelligent players and we fought all the way to the end.”

The Protectors will next take on the Young Lions in their first S.League match of the new season on Monday (Feb 27).