BY Haziq Asyraf
In a surprising upset, the ASEAN All-Stars defeated English football powerhouse Manchester United 1-0 on May 28 at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil in the Maybank Challenge Cup. An enthusiastic 72,550 spectators watched the game, which was full of high-energy attempts from both teams. The All-Stars fired a number of dangerous shots early on, especially from Sandro Reyes of the Philippines and Nguyen Hai Long of Vietnam, but United's goalie Andre Onana played excellent defence.
Early in the match, Manchester United, led by head coach Ruben Amorim, switched up their lineup, adding young players like Jaydan Kamason, Shea Lacey, Daniel Armer, and Sekou Kone. With two powerful attempts, including one that was cleared off the line, Kobbie Mainoo spearheaded United's attack. United remained frustrated by the outstanding play of All-Stars' custodian Patiwat Khammai, who stopped multiple close-range attempts, even after adding important players like Bruno Fernandes and Alejandro Garnacho in the second half.
Maung Maung Lwin, the captain of Myanmar, scored past United substitute keeper Thomas Heaton in the 70th minute to give the All-Stars a well-earned lead and the game's pivotal moment. The All-Stars successfully held United at bay until the final whistle by concentrating on a solid defensive approach from that point on. In addition to being a rare setback for Manchester United during their post-season tour—which continues next in Hong Kong—this unexpected outcome made the evening unforgettable for ASEAN football fans.
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