Laos and Myanmar made winning starts to their respective FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 2 campaigns on Thursday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laos defeated 3-1 Brunei Darussalam in Group A in the opening game of the tournament while Myanmar were made to sweat before beating Timor-Leste 2-0 in Group B.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laos got off to a dream start, taking the lead after four minutes when captain Bounphachan Bounkong slotted home from the penalty spot. The kick was awarded for a foul by Hariz Khallidden on Damoth Thongkhamsavath.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
They extended their advantage after Phoutthavong Sangvilay made a pinpoint pass into the path of Xayasith Singsavang in the 24th minute, who calmly placed the ball beyond goalkeeper Haimie Nyaring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Brunei Darussalam gradually began to gain a foothold in the game and pulled a goal back through Haziq Syamra on the stroke of half-time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Laos regained control after the interval, however, and struck midway through the second half to make it 3-1. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bounphachan’s powerful drive was parried by Nyaring in the 67th minute, but Bounxai Xernvanglieng was on hand to convert the rebound.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Myanmar 2-0 Timor-Leste Timor-Leste responded well and carved out several opportunities. Joao Pedro\u2019s fizzing shot was fumbled then scrambled clear by goalkeeper Zin Nyi Nyi Aung, before Joao Varudo headed agonisingly wide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Timor-Leste continued to mount pressure in the second half and only a superb Wai Lin Aung challenge prevented Joao Pedro from having a tap-in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myanmar looked a threat every time they attacked, though, and they finally struck the next blow. Captain Than Paing did the damage, planting a header in the 75th minute beyond goalkeeper Dylan Niski.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Timor-Leste kept fighting to the last and repeatedly got into promising positions in the final third. Corsino Lemos struck the post with a curling shot, but that was as close as they got as Myanmar closed out the victory.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Laos and Myanmar made winning starts to their respective FIFA ASEAN Cup Division 2 campaigns on Thursday. Laos<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16006,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[447,430],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-16005","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-asean","category-football"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t
<\/strong>Myanmar forged ahead midway in the 19th minute when Win Naing Tun rose highest to head in Hein Htet Aung\u2019s corner.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n