Myanmar upsets Philippines 4-1 at AFF Women's Championship

Thirsty for their first victory at the 2015 AFF Women's Championship, speedy Myanmar beat the Philippines 4-1 here Monday with midfielder Naw Phaw making a hat-trick.

Myanmar players, who were beaten 3-2 by hosts Vietnam in the earlier Group B match, were determined to gain the first three points.

However, it was Filipino players, who were like crouching tigers and hidden dragons in the match, that scored first after a blitz counter-attack.

In the 21st minute, unmarked Filipino striker Joanna Houplin was brought down by a Myanmar defender in the penalty box. Right after that, the striker converted the penalty to make the lead for her team.

Five minutes into the second half, Myanmar 27-year-old mid-fielder Naw Phaw left her markers behind, and basted a shot to defeat Filipino goalie Inna Palacios, creating the score equalizer. Three minutes later, Phaw beat Palacios again.

In the 66th minute, Myanmar mid-fielder Khin Moe Wai scored the third goal for her team after picking up an eye-catching cross from Naw Phaw. Finally, Naw Phaw made a good use of a quick pass from a Myanmar striker to sealing the 4-1 triumph for her squad.

After the Myanmar-Philippines match is the game between Vietnam and Malaysia.

Thailand, Australia U-20, Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam, Myanmar, Malaysia and the Philippines, are competing at the 2015 AFF Women's Championship which lasts till May 10. In the previous tournament, Japan ranked first after edging Australia 5-3 in the penalty shoot-out. Endi