PHNOM PENH (18 Feb 2019) – Hosts Cambodia a close 1-0 win over Malaysia as the latter had to play for much of the second half with ten man in the second game of Group B of the AFF Under-22 LG Cup 2019 here at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
A superb freekick from Sath Rosib gave Cambodia the full points as the hosts recorded the famous win in front of their more than 5,000 fans.
“I am very proud of the players. And this victory is for them and also for the fans. We are looking forward to our next game against Indonesia,” said Cambodian head coach Felix Dalmas.
A determined Cambodian side take to the field this evening as they fought for everything against a clearly under pressure Malaysian side.
And the hastily assembled Malaysians just could not find a way through as they seem to allow Cambodia more possessions and even more chances for shots at goal.
Narong Kakada and Khleng Menghour all had their chances but the Malaysians were lucky that they had the presence of the lanky Damian Tan and also Ariff Ar Rasyid Ariffin manning the backline.
With the score tied at the half, Cambodia upped the ante well into the second half and as the exchanges got more and more physical, referee Nguyen Hien Triet had no choice but to flash the yellow cards on players from both players.
And right at the hour mark, Malaysia had to play with a man less when midfielder Muhammad Danial Haqim Draman picked up his second yellow card of the evening.
Two minutes later, Malaysia were punished when Sath floated in a superb freekick from the right to the far post to beat custodian Muhammad Haziq Nadzli.
Malaysia tried to get back into the game with substitute Nik Akif Syahiran Nik Mat pulling the strings from the centre of the park, but they just could not find their way past a Cambodian defence bent on picking up the full points.
In the final count, Cambodia picked up five yellow cards as against Malaysia’s three. But that did little to hamper the celebration afterwards.
“It was definitely not a good result. We did not play well but the hosts did well to deny us,” said Malaysian head coach Datuk Ong Kim Swee. ‘We have to come back from this and win our next game.”
RESULTS
GROUP B
Myanmar 1 Indonesia 1
Malaysia 0 Cambodia 1
FIXTURES – 19 Feb 2019
GROUP A
1530hrs: Philippines vs Thailand
1830hrs: Timor Leste vs Vietnam
