Myanmar has booked its spot in round two of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers after holding a 0-0 draw against Macao.
The Burmese side (ranked 161 by FIFA) defeated Macao 5-1 during their 12 October clash at Yangon’s Thuwunna Stadium, and the latest scoreline means the Burmese go through on an aggregate win. Myanmar plays its first game against Japan in Osaka on 16 November, joining the likes of Syria and DPR Korea in Group B.
The game yesterday was held at Macao’s Olympic Sports Centre Stadium before more than 2000 spectators. The SAR squad (at 185 in FIFA’s ranking system) saw three changes to the starting lineup, with head coach Lazaro Oliveira bringing on Chi Hou Kam, Ng Wa Keng and Chi-Seng Leung to replace Filipe Duarte, Cheong Hoi San and Pang Chi Hang.
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Macao kicked off, looking much more energised this time around. The two sides appeared equally matched and tested each other’s defences.
The first shot of the game came in the 14th minute by Myanmar’s midfielder Kyaw Min Oo from outside of the box. It just strayed wide on the left of Ho Man Fai’s goalpost. However the SAR side looked brighter and dominated ball possession.
Myanmar began to grab hold of the game in the 36th minute and made a couple of one-touch passes that left Aung Thu open facing Macao’s keeper. But yet another shot went wide.
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In the 41st minute, Myanmar’s right winger Maung Maung Lwin crossed the ball into the box with a clean header from Lwin Moe Aung, forcing a save off Ho, who positioned himself well.
Approaching the half-time whistle, Macao’s captain Nicholas Torrão had a chance to put the ball behind the net, but the cross from Chi-Seng Leung came in a few inches behind. Torrão still managed to put a head to it but was not good enough for a goal.
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Myanmar started the first five minutes of the second half well but, until the 60th minute, Macao looked more composed on and off the ball.
A good free-kick from Macao’s Lam Ka Seng in the 64th minute saw Torrão score what appeared to be a goal. But the ball came off Cheng-Lam Lei’s hand and the referee called foul.
There were other opportunities created by both sides until the final whistle, but Macao’s goalkeeper Ho was on top form, as was Myanmar’s keeper Sann Sat Naing, leading to the final, goalless result.
