Acting President of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and Chairman of the State Security and Peace Commission Senior General Min Aung Hlang yesterday granted K100 million as the cash reward to the victorious Myanmar U17 men’s football squad qualified for the 2026 AFC U17 Asian Cup.

The qualifier match held at the stadium of the Youth Training Centre in Thuwunna of Yangon yesterday afternoon was attended by State Security and Peace Commission Secretary and Joint Executive Chief General Ye Win Oo, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein, Commander of Yangon Command Maj-Gen Pyae Sone Lin, regional ministers, the director-general of the Department of Sports and Physical Education, the president of Myanmar Football Federation, departmental officials, guests and spectators, totalling more than 30,000.

In the match, the Myanmar U17 men’s football team and the Syria U17 men’s football team competed intensely during the first 45 minutes to score goals. At 9 minutes and 52 seconds, Nyi Nyi Thant (10), scored the first goal for the team. At 14 minutes and 42 seconds, Ahmad Alfaraj (9), equalized with a goal. Myanmar U17 then made a substitution, replacing Lin Yaung (8) with Win Min Thant (6). At 34 minutes and 4 seconds, Arnt Htoo Paing (7) scored the second winning goal.

In the second half, at 85 minutes and 40 seconds, Odey Alfashtaki (16) netted another equalizing goal. The Myanmar team continued to compete intensely in an effort to score again, but by the end of the match, both teams had scored two goals each, and the game ended in a 2-2 draw.

Today’s playoff match marked a historic day for the Myanmar U17 team, as they regained qualification for the AFC U17 Championship after a 19-year absence. In the group stage matches, the Myanmar U17 team defeated Afghanistan 3-1, beat Nepal 4-0, won against Oman 2-0, and drew 2-2 with Syria, finishing the group stage with 10 points and advancing to the playoffs. It has been reported that the 2026 AFC U17 Championship will be hosted by Saudi Arabia from 7 to 24 May 2026.

MNA/TTA

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