Thursday, July 28, 2011

Hooliganism by Burmese soccer fans ends World Cup qualifying match

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Thursday, 28 July 2011 20:58 Myo Thant

Chiang Mai (Mizzima) – The Burma versus Oman match in a World Cup qualifying game in Rangoon had to be stopped after 39 minutes because of hooliganism by Burmese soccer fans, resulting in a 2-0 defeat of the Burmese team.

Burmese soccer fans threw stones, umbrellas, footwear and drinking bottles onto the pitch. Dozens of police were not able to control the crowd and the match was called off.

Burmese teen captain Khin Maung Lwin, in red number 20, and Oman teen captain Fawzi are challenging for the ball during the second leg of the World Cup qualifier match at Thuwunna Stadium in Rangon on Thursday, July 28, 2011. The match was forced to stop after Burmese football hooligans staged a riot. Oman won 2-0 against the underdog Burmese team. Photo: Mizzima


According to the Associated Press, Oman won by an aggregate of 4:0 and advanced to the third stage in the World Cup qualifying matches.

Midfielder Fawzi Backsher scored the first goal for Oman at 23 minutes into the game. The next goal was scored by a penalty kick by striker Ismail at 39 minutes into the game.

Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) chairman and Max Myanmar owner Zaw Zaw tried to control the crowd by loudspeaker, but without success.

Burmese fans started the hooliganism when the Oman team scored a second goal.

The Thuwunna stadium, which can accommodate 30,000 spectators, was filled with Burmese soccer fans. A spectator told Mizzima that home-team fans sang the national anthem at the match after losing to the visiting team. In an away match in Oman on July 23, Burma lost to Oman by 2-0.

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