First Half: Cambodia 1-4 Saudi Arabia
Cambodia are once again heading home having been so close to qualifying. The progression at this level is there for all to see and we’re fast becoming the nearly men. A little more composure and luck and very soon we’ll be celebrating going deep into a tournament. The game opened perfectly. Sa Ty putting Cambodia 1-0 up after just five minutes. The shock could be heard up and down the country and the excitement was almost unbearable. It lasted a minute. Straight from the kick off Saudi equalized then went on to show what a team at the top level can do on this stage. Ghamdi, who scored the first, added a second on 15 minutes then on 23 minutes the game was dead and buried. We couldn’t get a kick. On 30 minutes it was 4-1 and the Khmers were done.
At half time news of Lebanon only drawing would’ve filtered through which meant we didn’t need to win, we just needed some goals, game on.
Second Half: Cambodia 1-6 Saudi Arabia
The second half was about damage control and pride. We had been outclassed, out muscled and totally on another planet the first half. It took just ten minutes for the Saudis to add a fifth. This was the cruelest goal in terms of showing the gulf in class. Fifteen passes, us chasing shadows and the ball slotted home calmly. With just three minutes to go the sixth went on and so did any slim chance of us qualifying.
What Does It Mean?
It was another impressive performance from us showing, and clearly highlighting, growth. However we’re still so vulnerable and easy to beat when facing those bigger nations. How we bridge that gap to be competitive takes time but with this golden generation coming through now, time isnt something we have bundles of.
This article is adapted from BPVE, (https://bpve.com/) reported and edited from the great team – Cambodia Sports Review. (https://www.cambodiasportsreview.com/)
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