A BLITZ FOR CAMBODIA U23

The Cambodian youngsters had taken their first full points of the competition when they beat former V-League champions Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) 2-0 in their first match.

Against Laos, teenager Keo Sok Ngan opened account in the 22nd minute before So Seila added the second goal barely six minutes later.

But with seconds remaining on the clock, Laos fought back to give themselves a lifeline in the second half when Sayavuthy Khampeng struck home to put the score 2-1 to the advantage of the homesters.

The visiting Laotian side then piled the pressure after the break but buoyed by more than 17,000 fans, the Cambodian defence withstood the onslaught to put themselves on the way to winning the championship when they face Vissai Ninh Binh next.

The only blot in the match was the red card suffered by Laos inspirational captain Lamnao Singto for a second yellow card offense.

In the meantime, Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) made sure of their first full points of the competition when they beat Vissai Ninh Binh 3-0 in the other match of the day.

Elado Rodrigues prised open Vissai’s defence for the first goal in the 28th minute before Phung Van Nhien then added the second goal in the 41st minute for HAGL to be 2-0 in front at the break.

Rodrigues then grabbed his second and HAGL’s third goal of the evening five minutes to the end.