PHNOM PENH (18 Feb 2011) – Cambodia made the main qualifying draw of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012 by the skin of their teeth when they edged out Macau 3-2 in extra-time in the second-leg play-offs last night at the Macau Stadium.
The score from the first-leg at the National Olympic Stadium last week in Phnom Penh was 3-1 in favour of the Cambodia.
But Macau were all eager in the return tie and while they pressured the visitors for much of the first half, it was to be Cambodia who carved out the lead through Khim Borey in the 44th minute.
The second was all Macau as they build from the equaliser off midfielder Vernon Wong in the 62nd minute, they then scored two quick goals from substitutes Leong Ka Hang (73rd minute) and Venicio De Jesus (75th minute) to put the score at 3-1 to their advantage.
The score at the end of the regulatory 90 minutes was 4-4.
But the break would prove to be pivotal when Sam El Nasa nailed the winning goal in the 107th minute of play to ensure their place in the tournament proper of the AFC Challenge Cup 2012.
The win has allowed Cambodia to be placed in Group C of the qualifiers where they will face inaugural Challenge Cup champions Tajikistan, the Maldives and Kyrgyzstan.
