Bhubaneswar: Yee Yee Oo scored a brace as pre-tournament favorites Myanmar lived up to their billing as they thrashed Nepal 3-1 in the final to clinch the four-nation Women’s Gold Cup here at the Kalinga Stadium, Friday.
With these two goals, Yee Oo also finished as the joint top scorer of the tournament with four goals along with Sabitra Bhandari of Nepal. Win Theingi Tun scored the other goal for Myanmar while Manjali Kumari Yonjan reduced the margin for the Himalayan country.
Myanmar, who had defeated Nepal in the opening match started to assert their dominance soon, creating two quick chances in the 10th and 17th minutes. The first saw Win Theingi miss a header from close range while in the second saw her create a crossing opportunity down the left, with the final ball chalked off for offside.
Yee Oo finally broke the deadlock for Myanmar in the 36th minute, scoring from a powerful effort from inside the box that sailed into the top corner past the diving Nepal goalie Anjila Tumbapo Subba.
Nepal came back strongly on the stroke of half time, grabbing a stunning equaliser through midfielder Manjali, who latched on to a loose ball inside the penalty area, controlled it on her chest and side-footed a volley into the side-netting – the first goal Myanmar conceded in the competition.
However, their joy was shortlived as Theingi restored Myanmar the lead in the 53rd minute before Yee Oo completed the rout in the 62nd minute to clinch the inaugural crown.
Tournament Awards
Top Scorer: Sabitra Bhandari (Nepal), Yee Yee Oo (Myanmar); 4 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Zar Zar Myint (Myanmar)
Most Valuable Player: Win Theingi Tun (Myanmar)
Fairplay award: Myanmar