"For the love of football and Myanmar"

"Although Okkthar United and Yangon United are just some of those many clubs in Myanmar, we consider them representing our country whenever they come to play in Singapore."

Yangon Utd's fans out in full force to electrify Bishan

"And we felt that it is our duty, as a Myanmarese, to support them when they are here." said Mr Tun Tun Min in an email interview ahead of Myanmarese side Yangon United's AFC Cup Group G clash against Home United this evening at the Bishan Stadium.

Like many of his fellow countrymen who made their boisterous presence felt in last year's Okkthar United's RHB Singapore Cup run, Tun and few thousands of his compatriots were at the usually mundane Bishan setting when the two sides squared again after a goalless draw last week in Yangon, capital of Myanmar.

Mladen Ristici (right) capitalized on Kenji Arai's (left) mistake to open the account

It was also the patriotism sentiment, said the engineer, who works in a local telco firm that fueled that passion whenever they see their fellow countrymen in action.

"It's because of our love for football and our country that I can't express our feelings (in words) when we sing our national anthem together during the match." explained Tun who came to know the match from a Myanmar local football website - SoccerMyanmar.com which features local and international football news.

Despite the vocal presence of their adoring fans, Yangon United failed to hold on to the one-goal advantage they took in the first half through Mladen Ristici in the 37th minute and allowed their hosts to stage another dramatic comeback like they did against Citizen AA weeks ago.

Qiu Li (red) was singled out by Yangon Utd's coach Williams

The talismanic Qiu Li was again proved to the saviour for the Protectors when he levelled the scores in the 70th minute that allowed the floodgates to open to see Frederic Mendy to add in two more goals in the 75th and 80th minute to seal the win in front of a crowd of 3,146.

"The crowds were fantastic today, but I think some of my boys were playing to the crowds, instead to my instructions." said Yangon United coach Eric Williams in the post-match assessment when he touched on a bit of the support shown this evening.

"They (crowds) were motivating the players at first, but the players wanted to show to the fans how good they are individually and as I mentioned it's about teamwork, which I am trying to work on it and the players should take a bit more responsibility on that." added a disappointed coach Williams.

Mendy's double strike sealed the three points for Home Utd

Meanwhile, in the corresponding fixture in Hong Kong saw local side Citizen AA drawn 3-3 with Thai powerhouses Chonburi FC that hugely boasted the Singapore side's chance of making to the next round.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SEE THE REST OF THE MATCH PICTURES