Ayeyawady United end title drought, win MFF Digicel Cup

Published on Sunday, 04 November 2012 04:22

Ayeyadwady United ended their winless streak in the Myanmar National League and Myanmar Football Federation knock-out tournament, winning the MFF Digicel Cup.

Striker Jupita was the lone scorer against Kanbawza FC, with a close-range shot early in the match from a pass created by Nanda Lin Kyaw Chit.

Ayeyawady’s first-ever cup victory also ensured a berth for the 2013 AFC Cup.

Ayeyawady outplayed their opponents as soon as the match started. Kanbawza, who saw off defending champions Yangon United in the semi-final, did not look in great form after they lost many good players to injuries and bans.

Ayeyawady went ahead early, in the fifth minute, through Jupita. The striker, however, had to come off the field two minutes later as he was troubled by an injury he sustained in their quarter-final match. He was substituted by Nay Lin Tun.

Once they had taken the lead, Ayeyawady tightened their defence to ensure they didn’t concede any goals, and focusing only on counterattacks.
Kanbawza fielded many of their reserve players to beef up the midfield and defensive but their attacks failed to trouble their opponents’ defence.

Kanbawza had a few scoring chances. They failed to cash on a 15th-minute opportunity to score the equaliser. Sivagi, who had helped Hanthawady United secure the MFF Cup in 2010, failed to shine for Kanbawza.