Cambodia edged closer to securing the only spot in the AFF Suzuki Cup Finals thanks to a smashing start which saw them snatch a two-goal lead in the first ten minutes of their qualifying tie against Brunei at the National Olympic Stadium here tonight.
Although Brunei did well to pull themselves together after the two quick strikes, they never quite recovered and eventually went down 3-0 to Cambodia.
“The conditions before the game was that I indent on the players the importance of this game. So I told them that we need to created high pressure games,” said Cambodian head coach Lee Tae hoon.
“The players followed my order but in the second half, the players lost concentration. I was worried about injuries so I changed some of the players after the break.”
Brunei still have a mathematical chance of advancing despite going down today. Laos too, which defeated Timor Leste 2-1 in an earlier game today, can also advance. But for either Brunei or Laos to move on, they need to beat each other in their last qualifying match and then hope for Cambodia to crash to Timor Leste, which is highly unlikely looking at the hosts’ current form.
Even then, Laos and Brunei will only draw level at six points with Cambodia and will need to score enough goals to advance on a superior goal difference.
It’s far less complicated for Cambodia which only needs a draw in their last game to make the final cut for the first time since 2008. Coach Lee Tae Ho had made it clear prior to the tournament that it was time for the team to stand up and deliver. And his charges are indeed on the verge of making good their promise.
Probably in their eagerness to prove themselves, the local boys charged into attack. The heavy rain did not slow them down as they hunted down the goals. It did not take them long as they were on mark in the sixth minute.
Tit Dina let loose a long range shot which Md Mardun Yussof punched away for a corner kick. Udom Prak Mony fired from the corner and his shot curled and dipped into the far corner, Mardun tried his best to shove the ball out but it dropped dead into goal.
Three minutes later, Mohammed Shafie Effendy brought down Tit Dina on the right, just a few feet from the touchline. Chan Vathanaka sent his freekick towards the far post to Sok Savan to head the ball down towards striker Keo Sokpheng who blasted it home.
With two minutes remaining before the break, Udom once again turned hero as he netted the team’s third goal.
Realising that goals may be a factor, should they somehow lose to Timor Leste in their last match, the Cambodians forced their way up to reel in more goal. To their dismay however, the Brunei defence held their ground and refused to relent.
Substitute striker Khuon Laboravy saw his header, off a corner kick, scream over the bar on the hour mark. Ten minutes later, Sok Savan’s header from in the six-yard box was well caught by an alert Wardun. In the dying minutes, Brunei’s defender Ak Yura Indera Putera was red carded for bringing down an opponent.
“We concede two goals in the first ten minutes. We were chasing the game after that. Credit to Cambodia who came out with good support, fans support,” said Brunei head coach Mike Wong.
“We tried to be competitive in all areas. We created the opportunities to score the goals and at least try to come back but we never did score from the chances that were created.”
RESULTS AND FIXTURES
Today’s Results
Laos bt Timor Leste 2-1
Cambodia bt Brunei 3-0
Friday’s Fixtures
1830hrs: Laos vs Brunei (RSN Stadium)
1830hrs: Cambodia vs Timor Leste (National Olympic Stadium)
Note: Same kick-off time for last two group matches
STANDINGS
| Group | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
| Cambodia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Laos | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Brunei DS | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 3 |
| Timor Leste | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | -2 | 0 |
