Yangon: Myanmar and Vietnam shared the spoils as they played out the first goalless draw of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018.

In front of a raucous crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium, it was the home side who looked to assert themselves on the game, dominating possession early but struggling to find a way through a disciplined Vietnam defence.

It took until the 26th minute for Antoine Hey’s side to record their first meaningful effort on goal with Aung Lwin Moe’s long range effort hit straight at Dang Van Lam. 

Nguyen Ahn Duc then missed a glorious opportunity for his third goal in as many games as he headed wide from a corner in the 32nd minute after finding space at the back post.

Vietnam came into the match the more the half wore on and came closes of either side to breaking to deadlock in the 35th minute when a floated ball into the area was met by Phan Van Duc, with the defender seeing his shot bounce back off the post. 

Two minutes later dynamic midfielder Nguyen Quang Hai saw his powerful shot well saved by Htet Kyaw Zin as the visitors finished the half strongest of the two sides.

Bo Bo Hlaing had the first chance of the second half for the home side, but his effort from the edge of the area couldn’t beat Van Lam. 

Antoine Hey’s side then somehow survived a flurry of chances from Vietnam, with Htet Kyaw Zin saving a point blank effort from Van Duc, before following it up seconds later with another fine save to deny Nguyen Cong Phuong.

The visitors thought they’d found the opening goal with just less than 15 minutes remaining when Quang Hai’s long range effort was saved by Kyaw Zin, only for Nguyen Van Toan to tap home the rebound. But the Vietnamese celebrations were cut short as the home side was saved by the offside flag of the assistant as the capacity crowd breathed a sigh of relief.

Both sides pushed for a late winner, but they couldn’t be separated and had to settle for a point each.

Vietnam’s final group stage match is at home to Cambodia, while Myanmar travel to Malaysia looking to secure the win that would see them finish top of Group A.