Defeat on the road

Azkals Phil Younghusband scores the 40th goal of his international football career. Photo - Mark Cristino/Rappler

Not unexpectedly, the Philippines proved too strong for the Cambodia national team in Manila this evening, winning 3-0 with fuel to spare in the tank. The Azkals will be heading for the Suzuki Cup next week and this was their final warm-up in front of their own fans, who would've been happy to see them two goals ahead at the break. Daisuke Sato tried his luck from long range and succeeded on 13 minutes for the home team, who doubled the lead just before the break when Manny Ott cashed in on Sou Yaty's initial block save from Younghusband's drive. Cambodia revived after the break with Khuon Laboravy striking the bar and Sos Suhana doing like-wise late on, but it was the Azkals who had the best chances and Younghusband wrapped it up with his 40th international goal in the first minute of stoppage time as he held off Touch Pancharong. 3-nil was the final scoreline and about right with the FIFA rankings of the teams poised at 129 vs 185, Cambodia will be pleased they didn't repeat their previous meeting drubbing of 8-0. Five Phnom Penh Crown players began tonight's match: Yaty, Sokumpheak (capt), Pheng, Srin and Suhana. Coach Lee Tae-Hoon will now seek something not too dissimilar from a visit to Singapore on Monday evening for the second of Cambodia's on-the-road friendlies.

Cambodia v Phils, back row, LtoR: Udom, Laboravy, Sovan, Piseth, Visal, Yaty. Front: Suhana, Srin, Pheng, Samoeun, Sokumpheak (capt). Pic by Dennis Jerome Acosta/Clutch PlaysPH - click to enlarge