REPORT: MNL ALL-STARS 2-1 LEEDS UNITED
![REPORT: MNL ALL-STARS 2-1 LEEDS UNITED](https://dc6vmiz8c91pk.cloudfront.net/media/66/21265157448122/thuwunna_stadium_web.jpg)
Whites suffer opening loss.
Myanmar National League All-Stars 2 (Mpande 22, Christopher pen 64) Leeds United 1 (Saiz pen 26)
Leeds United suffered a 2-1 defeat in their opening game of their AYA Bank Tour of Myanmar, against the MNL All-Stars.
After an even opening with few chances, the All-Stars took the lead in the 22nd minute when Joseph Mpande headed home a Si Thu Aung cross.
That lead lasted just four minutes though, when Bryce Hosannah won a penalty after being felled by Blassi Nyakwe William. Saiz stepped up to take the spot kick and sent Naing Zayar Tun the wrong way.
Leeds then went close to going in front, a Tyler Denton cross fell to Oriel Rey and his strike deflected off Sam Dalby and just wide.
Saiz then provided a fine cross for Hugo Diaz at the back post, but his header into the ground, was saved well by Tun.
At the other end, the All-Stars had a great chance to go back in front when Thet Naing’s cross was met by Lyikwobe Chizora Christopher, but he couldn’t make the desired contact from close range.
In injury time in the first half, Alex Machuca’s low cross was met by Dalby, but he could only fire wide under pressure, as the two sides went into the break level.
Half Time: MNL All-Stars 1-1 Leeds United
Akakpo Komi Biova had the first opportunity of the second half, he rifled an effort from distance, but was unable to keep it down.
Scorer of the first goal Mpande then did well to beat the offside trap, but Diaz made a superb interception, with Christopher waiting in the wings.
All-Stars substitute Than Htike Aung then tried his luck from range, but his effort was just too high, before Thet Naing also fired over.
Leeds made an array of substitutes in the 62nd minute, but two minutes later, the All-Stars were awarded a penalty. Paudie O’Connor was adjudged to have pushed Mpande and Christopher stepped up and fired the spot kick into the top corner, to restore Myanmar’s lead.
Striker Ryan Edmondson who made his debut in the weekend win against Queens Park Rangers thought he had levelled the score when he converted a cross, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
Leeds again went close, this time following a corner, O’Connor saw an effort blocked before the ball fell to Madger Gomes, but his effort was off target.
Edmondson nearly levelled with a snap shot, but could only fire straight at Tun, whilst the All-Stars goalkeeper also denied Tom Pearce after he got a shot away, following his dribble into the box.
In stoppage Jack Clarke had a really good chance to equalise, Tun’s punch away at a Leeds corner fell to him just inside the area, but he couldn’t keep his effort down, as the Whites suffered defeat.
Full Time: MNL All-Stars 2-1 Leeds United
Leeds: Lonergan (Peacock-Farrell 45), Denton (Pearce 62), Stuijk (O’Connor 62), Diaz (Ayling 62), Hosannah (Gomes 62), Nicell (Shackleton 45), Rey (Clarke 62), Saiz (Vieira 62), Machuca (Phillips (62), Grot (Edmondson 62), Dalby (Ekuban 62).
Venue: Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon.
Attendance: 16,910