S.League outfit Home United were unable to get their 2017 AFC Cup Group H campaign off to a positive start as they were beaten on the road by Myanmar's Yadanarbon 1-0 on Wednesday.
In a feisty clash at the Mandalar Thiri Stadium that threatened to boil over on several occasions, Aung Thu popped up with the only goal of the game right on the stroke of half-time to hand the hosts maximum points.
Yadanarbon will now head into their next AFC Cup clash against Vietnamese side Than Quang Ninh knowing that victory on March 8 would put them firmly in the driving seat for a place in the knockout round.
And, with only three teams in Group H, Home now have to wait three weeks before they get a chance to get their campaign back on track when they entertain Quang Ninh.
Although they threatened to force a draw in the closing stages of Wednesday's contest, the Protectors would arguably feel they could have done more to get a positive result, following a tentative first-half display.
It was Yadanarbon who made all the early running, and they had a glorious chance to open the scoring in the 20th minute.
Having beaten the offside trap on one of his many forays forward, Myo Ko Tun found himself through on goal. But Hassan Sunny did well to charge off his line and deny him one-on-one.
Two minutes later, Tun almost turned provider when he fed a neat pass to Aung Thu, who cut onto his left foot before unleashing a ferocious effort that flashed narrowly wide.
The visitors did have their fair share of possession, But they struggled to make the most of it as the crucial pass in the attacking third constantly let them down, failing to beat even the first defender from set pieces on numerous occasions.
Then, in the second minute of added time at the end of the first half, Yadanarbon grabbed a deserved lead, courtesy of more good work from the lively Tun.
Overlapping down the flank once more, the right-back broke free following a poor attempt to halt his run by Sirina Camara. He then cut the ball back to lay the opening goal on a platter for Aung Thu.
The second half continued in the same vein as the hosts enjoyed the better of the proceedings, creating a couple of decent openings without really threatening Hassan's goal again.
In fact, it took until two minutes after the hour mark before Home had their first real effort on goal. Stipe Plazibat blasted away a fierce first-time effort that was straight at Pyae Lyan Aung.
Shamil was next to try his luck for them five minutes later when a cross by Faris Ramli deflected into his path. His scuffed shot looked to have caught Aung out before trickling just wide of the bottom corner.
Home were now starting to play better, showing increased endeavour to force their opponents onto the back foot.
Faris came excruciatingly close to firing his side level in the 70th minute with a piece of individual brilliance. He danced his way past a couple of defenders before his left-footed strike from an acute angle came back off the bar.
As the game entered its closing stages, the pressure was mounting on Yadanarbon. The Protectors had one final chance to force the draw with three minutes remaining. Following a neat passing move on the edge of the area, the ball was threaded through to substitute Amiruldin Asraf.
He had enough time and space to believe that it was his moment. However, his well-struck shot just lacked that crucia placement and was too central, allowing Aung to make the save and secure the victory for Yadanarbon.
Yadanarbon: Pyae Lyan Aung, Myo Ko Tun (Hein Nay San 78'), Nay Myo Aung, William Nyakwe, Thien Than Win, Ye Ko Oo, Ye Yint Tun, Hlaing Bo Bo (Aung Naing Win 70'), Yan Paing (Thet Naing 59'), Sithu Aung, Aung Thu
Home United: Hassan Sunny, Aqhari Abdullah, Irfan Fandi, Sirina Camara, Juma'at Jantan, Song Ui-young, Adam Swandi, Shamil Sharif (Khairul Nizam 82'), Stipe Plazibat, Faris Ramli, Marijan Suto (Amiruldin Asraf 73')