Red Warriors slain
Injury-hit Kelantan fall to Myanmar’s Ayeyawady United
PETALING JAYA: Kelantan are in danger of being also-rans in the AFC Cup after suffering a shock 3-1 loss to Ayeyawady United in a Group H match at the Youth Training Centre in Yangon yesterday.
Kelantan, who drew 0-0 with Navibank Saigon on March 6 in their opening group match, clearly felt the absence of their first choice players, with the likes of s. Subramaniam, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha, Azizi Mat Rose, Khairul Fahmi Che Mat, Ramzul Zahini Adenan, Khairul Izuan Rosli and Azlan Ismail all out with injuries.
Ayeyawady United clearly enjoyed a big slice of luck when Kelantan defender Obinna Nwaneri scored an own goal in the sixth minute.
Striker Aung Kyaw Myo doubled his side’s lead in the 42nd minute before mohd Ghaddar Mahmoud closed the gap for Kelantan in the 66th.
However, Nigerian striker Jupiter Ngangue doused Kelantan’s comeback with the third goal in the 82nd minute to claim all three points.
Kelantan, pushing men forward in search of a win after their opening draw, were punished for leaving their defence open to counter attacks.
And Ayeyawady’s quick breakaway tactic worked to perfection as they exploited the wide open space left by the Super League leaders when they went out in seach of the equaliser.
In another Group H match, Navibank Saigon beat Arema 3-1 at the Thong Nhat Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City.
Kelantan are now bottom of Group H with just one point as Arema are third with a better goal difference.
Ayeyawady and Navibank have four points each but the Myanmar team are top with a better goal difference.