Burmese shut down hapless U-23 Azkals

JAKARTA – The Philippine U-23 Azkals eventually got the boot in the 26th SEA Games football competition, badly outclassed by a talented Myanmar side, 0-5, at the Stadion Lebak Bulus here last night.

The Burmese, traditional regional power aching to perform well after missing the top three in 2009, stamped their class on the Filipinos, dominating the match with their best performance so far in the meet.

Silver medalists in Nakhon Ratchasima in 2007, the Burmese closed in on the crossover semifinals with 10 points on three wins and a draw in Group B.

Myanmar took the best the Philippines could offer, dashing the Filipinos’ remaining hope to make the next round.

The U-23 Azkals reeled with a third loss against a lone win.

“It’s very disappointing because we played better as a team tonight. We had equal chances on offense but just couldn’t convert,” said Phl team manager Dan Palami.

“There were several lapses on defense and it showed that we have a very young, inexperienced team,” Palami added.

Myanmar team captain Aye San broke the ice on the 11th minute and Kyaw Zevar Win made it two-nil before the half with a good finish on the 41st.

The Filipinos put defensive pressure on their return from the halftime to no avail, hit thrice more by the efficient Myanmar strikers.

Struggling and all, the Filipinos got into deeper trouble with Manny Ott sent off by a second yellow card on the 88th minute.

The Burmese seek to formalize entry into the semifinals in tangling with third-running Timor Leste at 4 p.m. tomorrow.

The Junior Azkals seek some measure of pride and respect in going for a win versus Brunei Darussalam also tomorrow, with Ott sitting out as penalty for his second yellow card of the tourney.