The stage was set for Felix to make is return to national team management and it was a very quick opportunity for the team to put to bed the horror show that was SEA Games. Much to our dismay it seems there is still a little Honda hangover.
First Half: Cambodia 0-1 Bangladesh
Predictably we started the game with high energy and everyone looked eager to impress. We were playing at high tempo closing down every opportunity and playing some neat football without creating anything clear cut.
Bangladesh had one thing on their minds and that was too spoil the party anyway they could. A total of 12 fouls in the first 10 minutes of play as well as constantly holding up play as much as possible. On 24 minutes they silenced the party when a back post volley gave the visitors a 0-1 lead. Cambodia playing themselves out of trouble and then straight back into it, dispossessed in midfield, Bangladesh punished the mistake, a long diagonal ball caught the defense napping and 1-0.
Second Half: Cambodia 0-1 Bangladesh
The second half was as much fun as the first, not much!! All the positivity or any sign of recovery were being halted with constant fouling. The second half saw 6 Bangladesh players booked and one sent off on extra time. Unfortunately these are the games that are played at this level. Stop momentum by slowing thinks down. if you fear you are going to be outplayed, don’t let them play. Bangladesh came with a game plan and executed it to perfection.
What Does It Mean?
In short there is work to be done, perhaps too much to expect any kind of progression in upcoming tournaments.
The extended version is that Felux has one hell of a task ahead of him. It’s not about just getting the right balance on the field, the whole culture of the country has to change towards football. I asked six of my players at training today off they should be watching the game and not any of them even knew what time the game kicked off. Players and coaches in the game are tired and frustrated and can’t see anything changing. The definition of insanity is repeating the same thing over and over and expecting a different result. Well right now we’re all insane for thinking tonight would be any different to any other night.
We still believe. We still love. We are just so crazy!!
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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