PHNOM PENH (5 May 2018) – Cambodian head coach Prak Sovannara said that the team will have to prepare well and take advantage of playing at home if they harbour any hopes of a place in the semi-finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2018.
With the change in format to the AFF Suzuki Cup this year, teams will get to play two matches at home and two matches away.
“I think it is the best thing, the best opportunity for ASEAN football as the tournament first commenced in 1996 (previously known as the Tiger Cup), and each country requested to host this important tournament like the World Cup,” said Sovannara.
“The new format will benefit the hosts as they can have their supporters to support their team and can also earn profit through sponsors and everything else that can help to improve their football.”
Following the official draw three days ago in Jakarta, Cambodia have been draw in Group A against Vietnam, Malaysia, Myanmar and Laos.
The Cambodians will open their campaign with a home game against Malaysia on 8 November 2018 at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Their other home match will be against Laos on 20 November.
Their two away matches will be against Myanmar on 12 November and Vietnam on 24 November.
“Unlike Group B which is the Group of Death with several tough teams, Group A is the best draw for Cambodia as each team are basically at the same level except Vietnam who are at a higher level,” added Sovannara.
“We need to prepare well from now on till our opening match with Malaysia as we can draw or win each team in our group. However, it doesn’t mean that we have high expectation to get through to the last four teams (semi-finals), but hopefully we will get good results and good points.”
