Unlucky Cambodia

The Cambodia line-up v Laos on MyTV

In a game in which both sides produced a handful of chances, with a bit more good fortune the Cambodian national team could've got a point from their AFF Suzuki Cup encounter with Laos earlier this evening. They didn't and now sit firmly and squarely at the foot of the group with two defeats in their first two games. They have two matches remaining, against Brunei and the group leaders Myanmar, who beat Timor Leste today 2-1, but qualification looks a distant dream. Showing more determination than they did against Timor, the Cambodians should've taken the lead just before the half-hour. Khim Borey's deft pass sent Phourng Soksana racing clear but his rushed shot was too close to Laos keeper Sengphachan Bounthisanh and he cleared with his feet. Aside from a Sun Sopanha free-kick that cleared the bar by inches just before the break, Soksana's attempt was the best Cambodia managed to serve up in the opening half. Laos meanwhile, were applying the pressure after a slow start and keeper Sou Yaty was kept busy, pushing out rasping distance shots from Vilayout Sayyabounsou and Sopha Saysana. With five minutes to go, Sopha's free-kick to the near post saw Yaty scrambling to keep it out, the ball popped out to Viengsavanh Sayyaboun and he squared it for Visay Phaphouvanin to score with a simple tap-in. Cambodia also lost Tieng Tiny to a knee injury three minutes before the break, replaced by Say Piseth.

Yaty was again in action just after the interval as Sopha tried his luck from 22 yards out but found Yaty's fingertips between him and his name on the scoresheet. The next best chance fell to Cambodia and substitute Chhin Chhoeun, on for Khim Borey. With an hour of the match gone, Chhoeun found space at the far post only to see keeper Sengphachan save his first attempt and then Kovanh Namthavixay threw himself at Chhoeun to block his second shot. Less than a minute later and Cambodia's task just got much tougher. Captain Sopanha was caught on his heels, pulled back on Soukaphone Vongchiengkham and picked up his second yellow card, followed by a red one. It was not the kind of example coach Hok Sochetra would've expected from his skipper. With a numerical advantage, Laos pressed forward only to find Yaty in no mood to concede another goal. The Army keeper kept out four attempts, the best a diving save from Soukaphone, who had a clear view of goal, whilst Om Thavrak headed clear when the lightning quick Laos striker threatened in the box. Cambodia's final chance came on 77 minutes when Say Piseth headed a corner back across the face of goal only to see Soksana arrive on cue, but flash his header over the top from just three yards out. It was a glorious chance to level the tie, but the image of Soksana holding his head in his hands, spoke volumes for the missed opportunity. Laos saw the game out with no further alarms and just about deserved their success over their close neighbours. Hok Sochetra's take on the game; "My players did well today, but they were a bit unlucky. I think we had chances to score tonight so I think, I don't know how else to say it. Just unlucky. Today we did much better than in the previous game, all my players all worked very hard. It was still very hot, and I think I made a mistake, because we prepared for this tournament by practicing in the evenings, in cooler weather. We are not used to this heat." 
Cambodia line-up: Yaty, Raksmey, Pancharong, Tiny (Piseth 42), Thavrak, Sopanha, Sokngorn, Suhana, PM Udom (Saray 82), Borey (Chhoeun 53), Soksana. Bookings: Sopanha (+ red card 61)