Myanmar - the glory days have gone
In football terms, Myanmar can lay claim to being SEA’s most successful team. Their record speaks for itself. Between 1965 and 1973, Myanmar struck gold at the SEA Games in five consecutive tournaments, a feat which remains unsurpassed. During this period, they also triumphed twice in the football tournament of the Asian Games, in 1966 and 1970,and finished runners up at the Asian Cup in 1968.Impressive statistics by any standards.
Fortunes take turn for the worse
But, since the glorious days of the 1960s and 1970s, they have suffered a change in fortunes. Since 1976, they have not taken part in the Asian cup and have yet to make their first appearance in the World Cup. They stayed away from the Asian Games in 1968 and 1990,but returned in 1994 only to go out in the first ground.
At SEA Games 1999 in Brunei, Myanmar’s national team coach was English coach Colin Murphy, who had been Vietnam’s coach. But they didn’t play successfully and can’t enter the semi-final. However, Mr. Murphy confidently said, "I believe in the bright future of Myanmar. In the next 2 years, Myanmar will be the champion of SEA football if they continue training hard."
Actually, Mr. Murphy’s confidence is right. Myanmar team has 13/18 players who were born between 1979 and 1983. That means these players still remain in Myanmar national team up to 2001 whereas most players in other teams aren’t young enough to participate in later SEA Games.
Some things about the players:
Gone are established strikers like Win Aung, maung maung Oo, and midfielder fulcrum Kyi Lwin. In their places have come 24-year-old Zaw Win Tun and 17-year-old Myat Min Oo. In the engine room newly found heroes have emerged with the likes of Myo Myint Htwe and TunTun Soe. 32-year-old TUN Soe, the top scorer at the Qualifiers is a hardworking player with great shooting ability.
One name to definitely to look out for this competition and the immediate future is 17-year-old Tint Naing Tun Thein who plies his skills in a wide midfield role. With deft ball skills and a wicked left foot he reminds one of how Maradona must have first been noticed. Coupled with who else but the inspirational wonderwork and skipper of Myanmar football, Myo Hlain Win, the team is a marauding opposition that is capable of tearing apart the best of defenses with their speed and skills.
Up to now, there are approximately 600 clubs in the country, with an estimated 20,000 players registered with the Myanmar Football Federation. So far, clubs from Myanmar have yet to complete regularly in Asian club competitions.
Facts at a glance
MYANMAR FOOTBALL FEDERATION
Aung San Memorial Stadium
Kandawgalay Post Office
YANGON
Telephone number: 951/577 366
Cable address: Football Yangon
Telex number: 21253 sped bm
Telefax number: 951/571 253
Foundation: 1947
Affiliated to FIFA: 1957