PHNOM PENH (25 Oct 2008) – Cambodia celebrated their qualification into the main event AFF Suzuki Cup 2008 in December when they beat Brunei 2-1 in the fifth and final match day of the qualifiers at the National Olympic Stadium.
With both teams needing to win the tie on the day to make into the next round, it was Brunei who drew first blood through Hardi Anak Bujang in the 44th minute before Cambodia replied with the equaliser through Sam El Nasa a minute later.
But Borey delivered the winning strike in the 73rd minute for the more than 15,000 fans a reason to get to their feet.
“We are happy with the results and of course, making it to the main event of the competition,” said Prak Sovannara, the head coach for Cambodia.
“It was a tough match but I think that Borey has improved tremendously and that made the difference on the day.”
The game started with a curling corner from Hardi which forced Cambodian keeper Ouk Mic to come out for the punch.
Cambodia replied with a freekick from Kim Chanburith but Mohd Wardun Yussof was equal to the task.
The game went into higher gear after that with Brunei’s Mohd Abu Bakar Mahari going wide while Cambodia’s Chan Rithy’s cross was denied by Wardun.
But as the game became to slow down going into the break, Brunei grabbed the lead in the 44th minute with Hardi turning a defender before blasting the ball past the rooted Ouk Mic.
Under pressure from the fans, Cambodia pushed ahead and it took them less than 60 seconds to find the equaliser as Sam nailed the rebound off an earlier shot from Chan Rithy.
The second half saw Brunei playing it a little more cautious while Cambodia kept up with the same momentum.
In the 48th minute, substitute striker Kouch Sokumpheak broke through but his grounder went straight to Wardin instead.
Brunei’s only real chance after the break came off Mohd Subhi Bakir which came off the right post.
But there was no denying Cambodia the win and the full points when Borey picked up a short pass form the middle before putting it past Wardun.
Five minutes to the end, Borey had another chance to wrap the game up but his shot went inches wide in front of an open goalmouth.
“It was not easy to bring up the spirit of the players after the loss they suffered in the last game,” said Vjeran Simunic, the head coach for Brunei.
“But I am very disappointed with the loss today. It was a sad result for me.”
With the win for Laos, it has made the passage for the Philippines for the meet in December a lot harder.
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