Myanmar’s Under-23 White Angels smashed Singapore’s Young Lions in the opening match for their group at the SEA Games on Monday. As a reward for their victory, the team was awarded a total of US$50,000 in cash.
Striker Aung Thu scored two goals – one in each half – to beat the Young Lions 2-0.
A photo posted by the Thai Futbol Facebook page shows members of the Myanmar squad posing with a brown envelope that evidently contains $30,000, presented to the team by KBZ Bank. Eleven reports that the cash was donated by Myanmar Football Federation (MFF) patron Aung Ko Win.
On top of that, MFF chairman Zaw Zaw and Yangon United owner Tay Za each awarded $10,000 to the team.
Cash awards are not uncommon in Southeast Asian football. The members of the Singapore team were reportedly offered S$2,000 each on the condition that they beat Myanmar.
Following their victory over Singapore, Myanmar went on to beat Laos 3-1 on Wednesday, allowing them to advance to the semifinals.
Myanmar took silver for football in the 2015 SEA Games and bronze in 2011 and 2013.
