YANGON (7 Oct 2012) – The expression on Cambodian chief coach Hok Sochetra said it all and while the loss to Laos tonight might be slim, the former international knows full well that his team’s progression into the next round hangs in the balance after two defeats in a row.
Cambodia conceded a 5-1 loss to Timor Leste in their first match two days ago and while they put up a better performance this time round, it was not enough for them to win the full points when they were done in by Laos captain Visay Phaphouvanin in the 40th minute.
“We played better than we did in the first match,” said Sochetra. “We created a lot of chances but we could not score. We were just unlucky.”
Needing to win to put their campaign back on track, the Cambodians were a lot more aggressive coming into the match as they created a flurry of chances against a Laotian side displaying their typical fast moving game.
Prak Mony Udom was the provider in the 23rd minute but striker Keo Sokngon just failed to connect while five minutes later; Cambodia again failed to make a breakthrough when off a one-to-one situation, Phourng Soksana just failed to beat Laos keeper Sengphacan Bounthisanh.
That gave Laos the impetus to push forward and with just five minutes remaining of the first half, Laos broke the deadlock when Visay capitalised on the mistake from Cambodia gaolie Sou Taty to score.
The physical exchanges continued well into the second half as referee Abdulla Alaajel from the United arab Emirates was forced to brandish the yellow cards on several occasions.
But in the 60th minute, he had little choice but to give Cambodian captain Sun Sopannha the marching orders after picking up his second yellow card in the game.
Laos then had the chance to wrap things up with a double chance not too long afterwards but both Soukaphone Vongchiengkham and Sopha Saysana could not find the target.
“The game was not so good,” said Kokichi Kimura, the chief coach of Laos. “It was very difficult but winning the three points was important.”
AFF SUZUKI CUP 2012
Qualifying Round
– Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Timor Leste
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STANDINGS
|
TEAM |
P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
PTS |
| MYANMAR |
2 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
3 |
1 |
+2 |
6 |
| TIMOR LESTE |
2 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
6 |
3 |
+3 |
3 |
| LAOS |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
+1 |
3 |
| BRUNEI |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
-1 |
0 |
| CAMBODIA |
2 |
0 |
0 |
2 |
1 |
6 |
-5 |
0 |
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