| Fadhil Yunus |
BRUNEI Darussalam face an uphill task of reaching the AFF Suzuki Cup main tournament after bowing to a 3-0 defeat at the hands of qualifiers-elect Cambodia at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh last night.
Though the Angkor Warriors won it fairly comfortably in the end, it was the Bruneians who created the first opportunity of the game after Shahrazen Said stung Cambodia’s goalkeeper Um Sereyroth with a fierce drive from the edge of the box with only two minutes of the clock elapsed.
Cambodia midfielder Prak Mony Udom opened the scoring in the 6th minute straight from the corner kick before Keo Sokpheng drilled home a Sok Sovan cushioned header in a move initially manufactured by the outstanding Chan Vathanaka two minutes later.
Brunei were unfortunate not to get back into the game after Faiq Jefri Bolkiah had slipped through Adi Said with the latter seeing his shot pushed into the post by Sereyroth.
Udom, who is regarded as one of Cambodia main men in a multi-talented squad, made the game safe after rounding Wardun and slotting into the empty net with Vathanaka again the architect of a fine move with a defence splitting pass.
With Brunei looking to find a lifeline in the second half, Shahrazen Said swung a lovely ball into the box which skidded off the surface with Adi Said looking to get any contact.
Cambodia’s star Chan Vathanaka was replaced with Khoun Laboravy after a notable clash with Rosmin Kamis while Nur Ikhmal Damit made way for Abdul Khair Basri after limping off the field.
Adi Said, the goal-scorer against Timor Leste in the first game, was taken off for fresh legs in the shape of MS ABDB man Azizi Ali Rahman.
Cambodia’s Prak Mony Udom celebrates after swerving a corner kick straight into goal in the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying match against Brunei. – FOX SPORTS NEWS
Awangku Fakharrazi was fortunate to escape a heavy punishment after a rash challenge on Sovan as free-kick taker Udom searched for his hat-trick whose attempt crashed against the wall.
The DPMM FC full back received a little bit of luck after the ball bobbled off a Cambodia defender but his effort just sailed wide though the goalkeeper may have got things covered.
The referee brandished a yellow card to Cambodia’s substitute Laboravy for kicking the ball after the whistle had been gone despite pleading his innocence that he did not hear the whistle.
The Wasps were reduced to 10 men after Yura Indera Putera was sent off for appearing to have manhandled Tith Dina just outside the box.
Samoeun Pidor hit the side-netting before the Cambodia attacker collected a good ball from the wings and fired a powerful shot which was magnificently saved by Wardun Yussof.
Laboravy brilliantly skipped past his marker but took an additional touch when he was poised to test Wardun closed the angle and could only manage the side-netting.
Meanwhile, the early kick-off saw Laos gained renewed hope from qualifying to the tournament proper after edging Timor Leste 2-1 in a dramatic tie.
Laos took the lead from the penalty spot courtesy of Phattana Syvilay before Timor Leste pegged back through Ricardo Maia despite the efforts of the Laotian defence to steer the ball away from goal.
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