Myanmar National League

Myanmar National League
Organising bodyMFF
Founded16 May 2009 (16 May 2009)
First season2009
CountryMyanmar
ConfederationAFC
Number of clubs12
Level on pyramid1
Relegation toMNL-2
Domestic cupMNL League Cup
International cup(s)AFC Challenge League
ASEAN Club Championship
Current championsShan United (6th title)
(2024-25)
Most championshipsShan United
(6 titles)
Most appearancesDavid Htan (336)
Top scorerCézar Augusto (118)
Broadcaster(s)MRTV-4
Channel 7
Readers Channel
Pyone Play Sports
Websitewww.themnl.com
Current: 2025–26 Myanmar National League

Myanmar National League (Burmese: မြန်မာနေရှင်နယ်လိဂ်) often referred to as MNL, is the highest level of the Myanmar football league system. Contested by 12 clubs, it operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the MNL-2. Seasons typically run from August to May, with each team playing 22 games.[1]

History

Origins

In the past, professional football competition in Myanmar has only existed in a limited form. Premier leagues have been made up of Yangon-based clubs, most of which were affiliated with government ministries. It was only after 1996 when the Premier League (Burmese: ပထမတန်း) was relaunched as the Myanmar Premier League that non-government clubs were invited. Still, the league was based only in Yangon.

The Myanmar Football Federation sought approval from the government to launch a nationwide league in February 2008, and finally received permission to set up private clubs in December of the same year. Each club was permitted to sign at most five foreign players and one foreign coach. The government granted tax exemptions for an initial three-year period, while each club owner must provide a minimum initial investment of Ks 200 million.[2] The investment covered costs such as salaries, transportation, and equipment, but does not include the club stadiums, which are all nationalized.[3]

Myanmar League

In 2009, the league replaced the Myanmar Premier League with eight professional clubs representing different regions across the nation.[2] On 16 May 2009, the league launched its inaugural two-month tournament, the Myanmar National League Cup 2009, in preparation for the first full season.[4] Despite its national ambitions, the league held the MNL Cup 2009 matches in the country's two main stadiums in Yangon due to the lack of adequate facilities elsewhere. On 5 July 2009, Yadanabon FC defeated Yangon United FC in the MNL Cup final to become the first-ever MNL champion.

The league added three clubs for the 2010 season,[5] and one more club joined for the 2011 season, bringing the total to twelve clubs.[6] Two more clubs representing Chin and Shan states participated in the MNL season starting in January 2012.[7][8]

Champions

(For Burmese champions before 2009, see Myanmar Premier League)

# Year Champions Runners-up
1 2009 Yadanarbon Delta United (now Ayeyawady United)
2 2010 Yadanarbon Zeyar Shwe Myay
3 2011 Yangon United Ayeyawady United
4 2012 Yangon United Kanbawza FC(now Shan United)
5 2013 Yangon United Nay Pyi Taw
6 2014 Yadanarbon Yangon United
7 2015 Yangon United Yadanarbon
8 2016 Yadanarbon Yangon United
9 2017 Shan United Yangon United
10 2018 Yangon United Shan United
11 2019 Shan United Ayeyawady United
12 2020 Shan United[9] Hanthawaddy United
13 2021 Season cancelled due to 21 coup d'état
14 2022 Shan United Yangon United
15 2023 Shan United Yangon United
16 2024-25 Shan United Yangon United

Wins by club

Club Champions Runners-up Winning seasons Runners-up seasons
Shan United
6
2
2017, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023, 2024-25 2012, 2018
Yangon United
5
5
2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2018 2014, 2016, 2017, 2022, 2023
Yadanarbon
4
1
2009-10 , 2010, 2014, 2016 2015
Ayeyawady United
0
3
2009, 2011, 2019
Nay Pyi Taw
0
1
2013
Zeyar Shwe Myay
0
1
2010
Hantharwady United
0
1
2020

The Invincibles

Undefeated champions:

Clubs

2025

Personnel and sponsoring

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Club Head coach Captain Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
Ayeyawady United Myanmar U Chit Naing Thailand Pro Sport Myanmar AYA Bank
Dagon Port Myanmar U Htet Aung Myanmar Naung Naung Soe Myanmar APE Myanmar MK Fuel
Dagon Star Myanmar U Min Tun Lin Myanmar Maung Maung Win Myanmar M21
Hanthawaddy United Myanmar U Myo Min Tun Myanmar Lar Din Maw Yar Myanmar SCM Myanmar Grand Royal
I.S.P.E Myanmar U Kyaw Lwin Myanmar Khaing Ye Win Myanmar SCM
Mahar United Myanmar U Zaw Linn Tun Myanmar Kyaw Swar Min Myanmar M21 Myanmar Arku's
Chinland
Yarmanya United
Shan United Japan Hiroki Ono Myanmar Hein Thiha Zaw Myanmar Foxx Sports Philippines Sbobet
Thitsar Arman Myanmar U Paw Tun Kyaw Myanmar Saw Htoo Phe Moo Myanmar Rhino Sports Myanmar Sport Bar
Yadanarbon Myanmar U Myanmar Myanmar M21 Myanmar Alpine
Yangon United Myanmar U Kyaw Dun Myanmar David Htan Myanmar Glory Sport Myanmar ABD Bank

Records

See also: Football records in Myanmar

All-time top scorers

As of 31 May 2024
Myanmar League
Rank Player Period Goals Apps
1 Brazil Cezar Augusto 2012–2015, 2017 118 111
2 Myanmar Soe Min Oo 2009–2019 109 267
3 Liberia Keith Nah 2014, 2015–2016, 2019–2021 93 127
4 Myanmar Kyaw Ko Ko 2010–2019 91 182
5 Guinea Sylla Sekou 2014–2019, 2023 85 140
6 Myanmar Win Naing Soe 2015–2021 77 142
7 Ivory Coast Donald Bissa 2016, 2017, 2019–2020 64 74
8 Nigeria Charles Obi 2010–2013 58 63
9 Myanmar Yan Kyaw Htwe 2013– 51 127
10 Nigeria Christopher Chizoba 2016–2018 42 72

Figures for active players (in bold).

All-time appearances

As of 16 August 2024
Rank Player Position Apps Goals
1 Myanmar David Htan 2009– 336 11
2 Myanmar Zaw Min Tun 2009–2018 271 8
3 Myanmar Soe Min Oo 2009–2018 267 109
4 Myanmar Thiha Sithu 2009–2020 254 0
5 Myanmar Aung Zaw 2009–2021 252 0
6 Myanmar Yan Aung Kyaw 2009–2020 246 3
7 Myanmar Nanda Kyaw 2013– 231 22
8 Myanmar Lar Din Maw Yar 2011– 221 3
9 Myanmar Thet Naing 2009– 220 35
10 Myanmar Thein Than Win 2009– 211 8

Figures for active players (in bold).

Player statistics

All-time multiple hat-tricks

Rank Country Player Hat-tricks
1 Myanmar Win Naing Soe 8
2 Brazil Cezar Augusto 6
3 Cameroon Patrick Edubat 3
4 Ghana Patrick Asare 2
Cameroon Donald Bissa
Nigeria Christopher Chiboza
Colombia Edison Fonseca
Myanmar Kyaw Ko Ko
Myanmar Yan Kyaw Htwe
Uganda Joseph Mpande
Myanmar Aung Myat Thu
Myanmar Win Naing Tun
Nigeria Emmanuel Ozochukwu
Guinea Sekou Sylla
Myanmar Aung Thu

All-time clean sheets

Rank Country Player Clean sheets
1 Myanmar Kyaw Zin Phyo 45
2 Myanmar Thiha Sithu 38
3 Myanmar San Set Naing 30
4 Myanmar Van Lal Hruaia 28
5 Myanmar Pyae Phyo Aung 27
6 Myanmar Ko Ko Naing 26

Prize money

  • Champion: Ks. 100,000,000
  • Runner-up: Ks. 75,000,000
  • Third place: Ks. 50,000,000

Awards

Top scorers

Year Nation Player Club Goals
2024—25 Myanmar Yan Kyaw Htwe Yangon United 13
2023 Ivory Coast Bello Shan United 13
2022 Myanmar Yan Kyaw Htwe Ayeyawady United 14
2020 Nigeria Raphael Success[10] Ayeyawady United 16
2019 Myanmar Win Naing Soe Yadanarbon 18
2018 Uganda Joseph Mpande Hanthawaddy United 18
2017 Liberia Keith Martu Nah Ayeyawady United 15
Nigeria Christopher Chizoba Shan United
2016 Myanmar Win Naing Soe Yadanarbon 16
Liberia Keith Martu Nah
Nigeria Christopher Chizoba Ayeyawady United
2015 Brazil César Augusto Yangon United 28
2014 Brazil César Augusto Yangon United 26
2013 Brazil César Augusto Yangon United 20
2012 Serbia Saša Ranković Zeya Shwe Myay 20
2011 Nigeria Charles Obi Yangon United 18
2010 Cameroon Jean-Roger Lappé-Lappé Hantharwady United 20
2009—10 Myanmar Soe Min Oo Shan United 12
2009 Myanmar Yan Paing Yadanarbon 8

Coach of the year

Season Coach Club
2024-25 Japan Ono Hiriki Shan United
2023 Myanmar Han Win Aung Shan United
2022 Myanmar Han Win Aung Shan United
2020 Myanmar Aung Naing Shan United
2019 MyanmarAung Naing Shan United
2018 MyanmarMyo Min Tun Yangon United
2017 MyanmarSoe Myat Min Shan United
2016 BelgiumRené Desaeyere Yadanarbon
2015 Serbia Saric Yangon United
2014 Myanmar U Khin Maung Tint Yadanarbon
2013 Australia Eric Williams Yangon United
2012 Bulgaria Ivan Venkov Kolev Yangon United
2011 Australia Eric Williams Yangon United
2010 France Yoan Girard Yadanarbon
2009 France Yoan Girard Yadanarbon

Player of the Year

Season Player Club
2024-25 MyanmarYe Yint Aung Shan United
2023 Ghana Mark Sekyi Shan United
2022 MyanmarNanda kyaw Shan United
2020 MyanmarDavid Htan Shan United
2019 MyanmarDavid Htan Shan United
2018 MyanmarMaung Maung Lwin Yangon United
2017 MyanmarAung Thu Yadanarbon
2016 MyanmarAung Thu Yadanarbon
2015 MyanmarAung Thu Yadanarbon
2014 Myanmar Thiha Sithu Yadanarbon
2013 Brazil César Augusto Yangon United
2012 Myanmar Kyi Lin Yangon United
2011 Myanmar Kyaw Ko Ko Zayar Shwe Myay
2010 Ivory Coast Assalé Molo Hilaire Yadanarbon
2009 Myanmar Yan Paing Yadanarbon

Titles won

No Player Club Times
1 David Htan Yangon United, Shan United 8
2 Hein Thiha Zaw Shan United 6
3 Yan Aung Kyaw Yangon United 5
Kyi Lin Yangon United
Pyae Phyo Aung Yangon United
Nanda Kyaw Shan United
Sithu Aung Yangon United, Yadanarbon, Shan United
4 Khin Maung Lwin Yangon United 4
Ye Min Thu Shan United
5 Thiha Sithu Yadanarbon, Shan United 3
Yan Aung Win Yangon United, Yadanarbon
Myo Min Tun Yangon United
Hein Phyo Win Shan United
Kyaw Zin Phyo Shan United

Winning coaches

Coach Club(s) Wins Winning years
France Yoan Yadanarbon 2 2009, 2010
Australia Eric Williams Yangon United 2011, 2013
Myanmar Aung Naing Shan United 2019, 2020,
Myanmar Han Win Aung Shan United 2022, 2023
Bulgaria Ivan Kolev Yangon United 1 2012
Serbia Sarić /
Myanmar Tin Maung Tun 		Yangon United 2015
Belgium René Desaeyere Yadanarbon 2016
Myanmar Soe Myat Min Shan United 2017
Myanmar Myo Min Tun Yangon United 2018
Japan Hiroki Ono Shan United 2024-25

Sponsorship

Period Sponsor Name
2009–2010 Grand Royal Grand Royal Myanmar National League
2010–2014 Myanmar Myanmar National League
2015–2016 Ooredoo Ooredoo Myanmar National League
2017 Max Cement Max Cement Myanmar National League
2018–2022 MPT MPT Myanmar National League
2023–2024 Myanmar National League

AFC club ranking

As of March 2023[11]
Current Rank Points Club
70 15.581 Yangon United
96 8.914 Shan United
124 5.247 Yadanarbon

References

  1. ^ "MNL TO INTRODUCE PROMOTION-RELEGATION SYSTEM BY 2014". ASEAN Football. 7 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  2. ^ a b Han Oo Khin (March 9–15, 2009). "New era for football". The Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on February 15, 2012.
  3. ^ Min Lwin (2009-04-20). "Burmese Soccer League an Election Ploy?". The Irrawaddy. Archived from the original on 2012-03-14. Retrieved 2009-04-26.
  4. ^ Han Oo Khin (March 30 – April 5, 2009). "MFF announces May domestic cup competition". The Myanmar Times. Archived from the original on February 14, 2012.
  5. ^ "MNL season opens in style". Myanmar Times. 2010. Archived from the original on 5 October 2010. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  6. ^ "MNL expands ahead of 2011 season launch". Myanmar Times. January 2011. Archived from the original on 7 June 2012. Retrieved 9 June 2011.
  7. ^ "၂၀၁၂ ပြိုင်ပွဲတွင် ချင်းကိုယ်စားပြု အသင်းတစ်သင်း ပါဝင် ယှဉ်ပြိုင်မည်". Soccer Myanmar. Archived from the original on 4 October 2011. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
  8. ^ "MNL TO INTRODUCE PROMOTION-RELEGATION SYSTEM BY 2014". ASEAN Football. 7 May 2011. Archived from the original on 12 January 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2012.
  9. ^ "2020 MNL Title won". themnl.com. 2020. Archived from the original on 7 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  10. ^ "2020 Top Scorer". themnl.com. 2020. Archived from the original on 31 October 2020. Retrieved 1 October 2020.
  11. ^ "AFC Football / Soccer Clubs Ranking". Archived from the original on 2019-04-02. Retrieved 2017-12-20.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.