Myanmar, who the SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) will face in the first match of the FIFA World Cup 26™ / AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ Preliminary Joint Qualification, advanced to the second round by eliminating Macau in the first round in October. In the first leg at home, Myanmar were held to a single goal in the first half, but a late goal spree saw them run out 5-1 winners. They then drew 0-0 in the away leg to book their place in the second round.

In the 1960s and early 1970s, when the country was known as Burma, they were one of the most formidable forces in Asia. They won back-to-back Asian Games titles in 1966 and 1970, finished runners-up in the 1968 AFC Asian Cup and competed in the 1972 Munich Olympics, where Japan failed to qualify. They produced many talented players and won the AFC Youth Championship (now the AFC U20 Asian Cup) seven times between 1961 and 1970.

Since then, however, the rise of other countries has been remarkable, and Myanmar have gradually retreated from the international stage. In this context, their participation in the FIFA U-20 World Cup New Zealand 2015™ was a bright spot for the country. Although they lost all three of their matches and were eliminated at the group stage, players from this tournament are playing an active role in the current Myanmar National Team.

They last met Japan in the second round of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ AFC qualifiers in May 2021. Playing at Fukuda Denshi Arena in the midst of the Corona pandemic and with no spectators in attendance, they were thrashed 10-0, with five of the goals coming from OSAKO Yuya. Despite a strong defensive effort in an attempt to counterattack, they were also outshot 1:25.

The current squad heading into the World Cup qualifiers is under the guidance of head coach Michael FEICHTENBEINER, who took over in March this year. The German coach was quoted on the official AFC website as saying: “At the moment Japan is one of the best teams in the world, but from better teams you can learn,” he said. “We never give up easy but we are realistic. We have to learn.” While sharing his modest take, he also showed his confidence by adding: “We are definitely the underdog in this group, but we are still motivated to do one or two surprises.”

One of the most important figures in Japan-Myanmar relations is Kyaw DIN, a Burmese exchange student in the 1920s. He was taught football by an Englishman and did much to strengthen and promote the game, travelling around Japan teaching and writing books on the game. In recognition of his achievements, he was inducted into the Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Myanmar National Team

Coach

Michael FEICHTENBEINER (Germany)

Squad

GK
18  Kyaw Zin Phyo (Shan United)
 1   Sann Sat Naing (Yangon United)
23  Zin Nyi Nyi Aung (Dagon Star United)

DF
 5   Nanda Kyaw (Shan United)
      Ye Min Thu (Shan United)
 2   Hein Phyo Win (Ratchaburi FC/Thailand)
 4   Soe Moe Kyaw (Phnom Penh Crown/Cambodia)
12  Zwe Khant Min (Shan United)
15  Hein Zeyar Lin (Yangon United)
17  Thet Hein Soe (Yadanarbon FC)
13  Kaung Htet Paing (Yadanarbon FC)
 3   Lat Wai Phone (Ayeyawady United)

MF
20  Suan Lam Mang (Dagon Star United)
11  Mg Mg Lwin (Lamphun Warrior/Thailand)
21  Yan Naing Oo (Yangon United)
 6   Kyaw Min Oo (PDRM FC/Malaysia)
 8   Nay Moe Naing (Hantharwady United)
14  Wai Lin Aung (Dagon Star United)
 7   Lwin Moe Aung (Rayong FC/Thailand)
16  Hein Htet Aung (N. Sembilan FC/Malaysia)
22  Zaw Win Thein (Yangon United)

FW
10  Aung Thu (Uthai Thani/Thailand)
 9   Than Paing (Chiangmai United/Thailand)
19  Win Naing Tun (Borneo FC Samarinda/Indonesia)

Results of last 10 matches
(H: Home, A: Away, N: Neutral ground, ○: Win, △: Draw, ●: Loss)

Record against Japan *Including matches from the Burma-era

2 wins, 5 draws, 7 losses (12 goals, 29 against)

Results at the FIFA World Cup™

Appearances: None
*Burma achieved its independence from the UK in 1948

1950　Did not participate
1954　Did not participate
1958　Did not participate
1962　Did not participate
1966　Did not participate
1970　Did not participate
1974　Did not participate
1978　Did not participate
1982　Did not participate
1986　Did not participate
1990　Did not participate
1994　Did not participate
1998　Did not participate
2002　Did not participate
2006　Did not participate
2014　Eliminated in the qualifier
2018　Eliminated in the qualifier
2022　Eliminated in the qualifier

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