Could not be prouder

Head coach Sam Schweingruber speaks to the press

Cambodia's U-16 head coach Sam Schweingruber reflected on yesterday's 4-0 defeat against Australia in the AFF U-16 Youth Championships in Myanmar after taking his team in this morning's training session:
"We played against a top team and had our idea on how we wanted to perform but going a goal down after just 3 minutes is hard. We actually started really well but with their first attack, they scored a goal, possibly offside but we didn't react fast enough. We never recovered, tried to build up and play but had no chance in the middle, though some good moments on the wings, but outmuscled. Their 2nd goal was really disappointing, as we prepared to deal with their only corner in the entire game and expect a high ball, they played short and hit a wonder strike. Third goal was a repetition of the first, a ball behind our defense on our left, quick ball in and we didn't have enough numbers to stop them.
For the 2nd half, I could not be prouder of the boys, our task was not to concede for 45 minutes and we worked really well and hard. We had some better moments going forward but didn't get close enough with just two free-kicks and a corner, and only one shot on target. Australia never slowed down and gave us all they had including some crazy challenges and tackles, especially a really bad one on Noeut. But we restricted them to only three chances, with the late goal a huge disappointment as our keeper fumbled and Sovann miskicked his clearance. Now we need to get ready for Brunei. It's going to be a very different game but with the same attitude, I am confident the team will make me proud again."

Cambodia meet Brunei tomorrow at 4.30pm Cambodia-time, at the same Zabuthiri Stadium in Naypyidaw and will be hell bent on putting a good performance together against one of the teams they've identified as being of a similar standard. They played the final seven minutes of their match with Australia with ten players after Suon Noeut was brutally fouled and will almost certainly miss the Brunei game. Cambodia had already made their allotted three substitutions before the incident. Central defender Ouk Dinarong is also a doubt as is wideman Chhoeung Sokheng, with Pov Ponvuthy his likely replacement.