Cambodia ease to win

Khim Borey (middle of 3 red shirts) steers in the 2nd Cambodian goal against Timor Leste, in the 4-2 success

Cambodia spanked Timor Leste 4-2 in their AFF Suzuki Cup qualifier played in Vientiane, Laos this afternoon. I'm told Khim Borey netted a hat-trick of goals but the Laos cameraman was so awful that we didn't actually see the first two goals, including Borey's first. Timor went ahead early on through Chiquito who outpaced Rang Borin before Borey apparently got a nod-in at the far post on 26 minutes. Two minutes later Keo Sokngorn broke away on the right flank and pulled it back for Borey to steer his shot inside the far post. Neat goal. Borey missed a sitter of a chance on 37 minutes when Kuoch Sokumpheak set him up but he made amends on 40 minutes when he got his head to a San Narith deep free-kick and the Timor goalkeeper Leonel allowed the ball to creep under his despairing dive. 3-1 at the interval and Cambodia were definitely in the driving seat. Almost predictably, they took their foot of the gas and allowed Timor back into the match. Nuth Sinoun came on and after 75 minutes he effectively wrapped it up when he blasted home after a tidy Tum Saray pull back from the bye-line, even though the commentators on PPCTV gave the scorer as Sokumpheak. Borey and Sinoun missed good opportunities before Timor's Anggison laced in a 25 yard free-kick that arrowed past Ouk Mic for 4-2 and though Tieng Tiny headed off the line in time added on, Cambodia recorded a comfortable win. It wasn't the walk in the park that many had hoped for but it was a victory and now they face the Philippines on Tuesday (who drew 2-2 with Laos courtesy of a last-gasp equaliser) with a good chance of making one of the two qualifying spots on offer. MOTM: No arguments, it has to go to Khim Borey, hat-trick hero. The Cambodia line-up v Timor Leste: Mic, Raksmey, Narith, Borin (Rithy 24m), Tiny; Sopanha, Sotherath, Sokumpheak, Sokngorn (Saray 54m); Borey, Laboravy (Sinoun 65m). [subs not used] Bunchhay, Soksana, Piseth, Rady.

Cambodia line-up before kick-off: Back (LtoR): Borey, Laboravy, Borin, Sokngorn, Tiny, Mic. Front: Sothearath, Narith, Raksmey, Sopanha, Sokumpheak. [Photo by www.affsuzukicup.com]