U18: Cambodia dump Thais

THANH LONG (9 August 2019) – Cambodia made sure that the battle in Group B of the AFF Under-18 Next Media Cup 2019 is still wide open when they dumped Thailand 4-3 in the match that was played at the Thanh Long Stadium this afternoon.

After falling to a big defeat against Australia two days earlier, the Cambodians put up a more determined performance to beat their high-rated opponents.

“It was a very tough match but we managed to create some chances to score,” said Cambodian head coach Gyotoku Koji after the game.

With neither teams able to pick up the full points in their opening group game, they were looking to do just that on the day considering the close battle between the six teams in the group.

While Cambodia fell to 5-1 loss to Australia two days earlier, Thailand just could not get the better of Singapore when they were held to a 1-1 draw.

But this evening, both teams fought well and hard as they exchanged blows for blows – Thailand’s Guntapon Keereeleang over the top attempt was replied with a sublime effort from Keo Oudom that rocked their opponent’s crossbar in the 32^nd minute.

The close battle was carried through into the second half before Cambodia finally broke the deadlock in the 53^rd minute when Wut Tola headed in the freekick from Chea Sokmeng.

Thailand then replied with the equalizer in the 68^th minute with Sitthinan Rungrueang providing the cross and Guntapon latching home.

At the end of the 76^th minute, the score stood at 2-2 with Cambodia notching their second goal after an own goal from Thailand’s Chantmongkol Rueangthanarot in the 75^th minute as the Thais then grabbed their second equalizer when Thirapak Prueangna fired in a rocket barely a minute later.

As the Thais seem to be slowing down, Cambodia’s Sieng Chanthea took the opportunity to blast in two quick goals in the 87^th and 88^th minute to put the score at 4-2.

\But while Thailand still managed to conjure up their third goal of the game in injury time when Guntapon headed in Chatmongkol’s corner, it came just a tad too late for a revival.