Warriors fall to late winner by Laos

CAMBODIA blew a 15thminute lead to go down to two late second-half goals from Laos in a 2-1 Pool B defeat on Saturday evening.

The Young Warriors now face the daunting prospect of a must-win match against Singapore on Monday in the three-team group to keep alive their chances of making the semifinals of the Hassanal Bolkiah U22 tournament for Asean nations in Brunei.

Singapore had opened up a much easier path to the next stage for Cambodia after their 5-1 win over Laos, and all coach Prak Sovannara’s side needed were three points from their game at the HB National Stadium to ensure a place in the last four no matter the outcome of the next game.

The initial bustle from the Warriors’ attack indicated the side was determined to taste victory.

The experienced Sos Suhana, one of three overage players permitted, turned in an inviting cross after the ball had bounced favourably from a block by the Lao keeper.

Buoyed by that 15th-minute goal, Cambodia created some prominent openings only to be thwarted by vigilant Laos defending.

Powerful left foot

Cambodia held on to their slim advantage until well past the hour mark, but a brilliant long-range left-foot shot from Phithack Kongmathilath, who s c ore d t hei r c onsol a t i on against Singapore, got Laos back in the game.

The equaliser immediatel altered the dynamic on the pitch, and despite Cambodia continuing to break with counterattacks, Laos now had the momentum.

A free-kick 15 yards from the edge of the box three minutes into injury time was another opportunity for Kongmathilath to unleash the power of his left foot, with the ball going over the wall and into the top corner.

The victory means Laos are now well placed to clinch a semifinal spot unless Cambodia can pull off a win against Singapore.

“As a coach, the outcome of a match is my responsibility,” Sovannara said after the game. “We now have to fight all over again when we face a much stronger Singapore.

The U22 tournament has meant the Metfone C-League schedule has been pushed back two weeks, with the weekend’s matches now set to played on May12-13.