YANGON, July 28 (Reuters) - A World Cup qualifier between Myanmar and Oman was abandoned on Thursday after angry fans hurled rocks and glass bottles at the referee, the visiting coach Paul Le Guen and one of his players, witnesses said.
Oman were leading the second leg 2-0 and 4-0 on aggregate.
A Reuters photographer at the match said that, despite a heavy police presence, Myanmar fans turned unruly when Japanese referee Ryuji Sato awarded a penalty to Oman with the home side trailing 1-0 and staring at early elimination from Asian qualifying for the 2014 finals in Brazil.
Oman’s Ismail al Ajmi converted the spot kick to put his side 2-0 ahead after 39 minutes, sparking anger among the crowd at the Thuwunna Stadium and prompting players to flee for cover in the dressing room.
Fans leaving the stadium said the referee had made a bad decision in awarding the penalty.
Soccer is popular in Myanmar and its league is growing fast, but hooliganism is rare.
Myanmar’s soccer association president Zaw Zaw tried to calm the fans at the stadium and said he would try to find out whether the game would be replayed or Oman would be awarded the victory.
Frenchman Le Guen coached Cameroon at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa and has previously worked at Paris St Germain, Olympique Lyon and Glasgow Rangers.
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