Yangon United remain three points behind leaders Yadanarbon in the Myanmar National League after recording a 4-2 win over Zwekapin United on Monday.
The Lions took the lead at the Thuwunna Stadium after 14 minutes when David Htan broke free inside the box and unselfishly cut the ball back to Kyaw Ko Ko, who made no mistake in finishing from eight yards out.
And in the 27th minute, Kyaw Ko Ko was at it again as he escaped his marker’s clutches to meet Emerson Luiz Tito’s right-wing cross with a diving header into the back of the net.
Four minutes later, they added a third when Cesar raced through down the left and fired a cross to the far post to leave Emerson with a simple tap-in, although Zwekapin did manage to pull one back through a strike from Aziz three minutes after halftime.
Nonetheless, Yangon went on to make sure of the win in the 78th minute when Emerson grabbed his second of the game when he scored on the rebound, although their opponents did manage another consolation three minutes from time when Takamatsu Kentaro netted from the penalty spot.
The win ensured Eric William’s charges remain three points behind Yadanarbon, who had claimed a 2-0 victory over bottom side GFA at the Thuwunna Stadium on Saturday.
Following a goalless first half, Zin Min Tun opened the scoring for Yadanarbon in the 56th minute before Thet Naing added a second to wrap things up nine minutes before fulltime.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Nay Pyi Taw snapped a two-game winless streak after beating Magway 3-2 at the Paung Laung Stadium.
Having taken the lead in the 12th minute through Michele Di Piedi’s opener, the hosts found themselves firmly in control when Pyae Phyo Oo made it 2-0 three minutes later.
Magway did manage to pull one back two minutes before the half-hour mark through a Yuji Fujimoto effort, but Ni Maung Maung Aung restored the hosts’ two-goal cushion eight minutes later.
To their credit, the visitors refused to give in and reduced the deficit again in the 82nd minute when Htoo Htoo Aung struck, although Nay Pyi Taw ultimately held out for the win.
Over at the Yangon United Sports Complex, Zeyar Shwe Myay got back to winning ways as they defeated Chin United 4-2.
Ekoule Martin had broken the deadlock for ZSM in the 24th minute, before Aung Myo Lwin doubled their lead six minutes into the second half.
Chin did hit back through a Keith Murtu Nah goal two minutes later, only for Chukwuazu Chidiebere to make it 3-1 six minutes after the hour mark.
Idoko Mathew then got in on the act ten minutes later to effectively end the contest and hand Zeyar Shwe Myay the win, although the designated hosts did add some respectability to the scoreline when Murtu Nah netted his second of the game three minutes before the end.
Monday’s other game saw Kanbawza strengthen their grip on third place with a 2-0 triumph over Southern Myanmar at the Bogyoke Aung San Stadium.
Tihomir Zivkovic put KBZ ahead eight minutes before halftime and added a second in the 68th minute, handing his side a routine win in the process.
Finally, Sunday’s only game saw Ayeyawady United held to a 1-1 draw by Manaw Myay at the Thuwunna Stadium.
Things could have been worse for Ayeyawady as they fell behind to Tun Min Soe’s opener seven minutes after the half-hour mark, but Lassina Kone equalised from the penalty spot in the 71st minute to earn them a share of the spoils.
Saturday’s Myanmar National League Results
GFA 0-2 Yadanarbon
Chin United 2-4 Zeyar Shwe Myay
Nay Pyi Taw 3-2 Magway
Sunday’s Myanmar National League Results
Manaw Myay 1-1 Ayeyawady United
Monday’s Myanmar National League Results
Kanbawza 2-0 Southern Myanmar
Zwekapin United 2-4 Yangon United
Football SEA 