Myanmar delivered a commanding performance at the Rizal Memorial Stadium on Saturday, dismantling Guam 6-1 on match day two of the Tri-Nation Friendlies, a series hosted by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) as part of its continued commitment to elevating the standard of football across Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
Myanmar wasted little time imposing themselves, taking the lead as early as the 13th minute when central defender Soe Moe Kyaw powered a header into the net from a short-corner routine, with Myat Kaung Khant delivering the right cross.
Mg Mg Lwin doubled the advantage in the 23rd minute with a composed finish off a quick transition run, before Win Naing Tun rounded off a textbook midfield buildup to make it 3-0 just before the break — Min Maw Oo the architect with a clinical release from the middle of the park.
Myanmar resumed the second half with identical ruthlessness. Win Naing Tun struck again in the 53rd minute, converting directly off Myat Kaung Khant’s midfield interception that caught Guam in possession.
Three minutes later, Zaw Win Thein produced the goal of the match — cutting brilliantly off his marker before slotting home off Myat Kaung Khant’s incisive cutback following another turnover, making it 5-0 by the 57th minute. Substitute Shine Wanna Aung added the sixth in the 85th minute, heading in from close range off Zwe Khant Min’s left cross.
Guam pulled one back late through a penalty. James Alfred Gomez was brought down inside the box in the dying minutes by Hein Zeyar Lin, and the forward stepped up to convert the spot kick in first-half stoppage time to make the final score 6-1.
Despite the heavy defeat, Gomez was gracious in defeat and found perspective in the tournament’s broader mission.
“The biggest takeaway is just getting more matches with these squads,” Gomez said. “We all come from different countries, so it’s good to come together for this Tri-Nation Friendlies Series — getting to play more together and develop our skills as a team. Beautiful stadium, beautiful country, the hospitality has been great, and thank you to the fans who came in to support us today. Football is big here, and we really appreciate it.”
Myanmar’s Myat Kaung Khant, who proved a constant creative threat throughout the match, already had his eyes fixed on Tuesday’s final.
“We’ve played very well — most of our players are talented,” Khant said. “In the next game, we meet with the Philippines, so we will prepare a lot. We are in the same group in the Hyundai Cup, so this match means something to us. I hope fans come on Tuesday to see us play.”
That final fixture of the 2026 Manila Tri-Nation Friendlies pits the Philippine Men’s National Football Team — who won in the opening fixture against Guam at 5-1 — against Myanmar on June 9, kick off at 7:30 PM, at the Rizal Memorial Stadium.
The two sides carry recent history into the encounter — they played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at the same venue last December 2024. PFF invites Filipino fans to come out and back the Azkals as they face a sharp Myanmar side hungry for another strong showing.
