Honda: More work to do before AFF football match with Indonesia

NATIONAL football team general manager Keisuke Honda has urged his players to focus on the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022 clash with Indonesia on December 23, as Cambodia travel away for the first time in their Group A campaign.

The Japanese football legend posted a message for fans after Cambodia’s 3-2 victory over the Philippines on December 20: “Thank you for your support. The next match against Indonesia is very important, and it will be a tough and tense game.

“We will prepare the team well for this clash.”

The Cambodia national football team made a fine start to the AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2022, beating the Philippines 3-2 in a thrilling match at the Morodok Techo National Stadium on December 20.

However, captain Soeuy Visal spoke of the need to focus on areas of improvement.

“We are really happy with the victory over the Philippines. We did well in the first half, but during the second half we left lots of gaps. There are a lot of things we need to improve on for this coming game [against Indonesia].

“We have to focus more. We do not know if we will get good results, but we do know we will do our best.

“We will harness all our spirit and all our energy, and address the weaknesses shown in the Philippines game for the Cambodian fans,” the Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng defender said.

The three points from beating the Philippines saw Cambodia move into second place in Group A behind Thailand, who thrashed Brunei 5-0 on the same night, with Indonesia’s campaign starting against the Kingdom.

Previous disappointing results in the SEA Games in

Vietnam in May, and in a series of friendlies, especially the 4-0 loss to hosts Malaysia on December 9, had cast doubt among Cambodian fans ahead of the Philippines opener.

However, these were soon dispelled with Cambodia’s strong first-half showing, with cheers erupting around the national stadium as striker Reung Bunheang fired the Koupreys into the lead in the 16th minute, with midfielder On Chanpolin adding another four minutes later.

But Kenshiro Daniels’ speedy brace in the 41st and 55th minutes saw the Philippines stage a comeback early in the second half, piling pressure on the home side before Bunheang’s second in the 59th minute.