Cambodia claimed a piece of history after taking its highest-ever finish in the tournament, following a 3-1 conquest of Timor Leste in the 2022 AFF Women’s Championship, Wednesday evening at the City of Imus Grandstand in Cavite.
The win put the Prak Vuthy-mentored side level with Laos with four points on a 1-1-2 win-loss record, but in third place in Group B on goal difference (minus-4 to minus-5). It is the highest the Cambodians ever placed in the tournament after placing fourth in Group A during their debut in 2018.
Cambodia bagged just its second win in the championship — four years after that lone win in the 2018 edition, which is, incidentally, a 12-0 drubbing of Timor Leste. Timor Leste, on the other hand, lost all their four group phase assignments.
With history on their side and knowing of their own capabilities, Cambodia wasted no time to take the lead in the match as, after a few seconds from kick-off, the squad bagged its opener.
Captain and forward Ban Cheavey tried to control the ball for a shot, but it bounced off her feet. Fortunately, Phoeurng Sreyphors was there to get it, and with some space, was able to shoot the ball to the net against Timor Leste keeper Gorette Andrade Da Costa.
The Khmer side, from there, kept the relentless attack going against the opposing defense with several shots on target. Eventually, after a slight scare on their half, the inevitable second goal came for the blue shirts in the 25th minute with Soeurn Vipha scoring on a long-range effort.
Another goal just before halftime put Cambodia at a comfortable advantage heading into the break. Kiet Sivhorng, who came on as a substitute, finished a broken play after Andrade Da Costa denied the initial shot from Cheavey.
Timor Leste had some chances in the Cambodian half in the opening period and its attack finally found some life in the second. A goal, though, could not find its way into the net as the Timorese squad continued to waste its few chances at goal out of target.
The patience finally paid off though for the white shirts as they got one back just seconds into the 76th minute with a set-piece goal. Nilda Dos Reis sent a lovely ball into the box from the corner and Brigida Da Costa did well enough to put the ball past Chea Sompors’ guard.
From that point, things opened up for both sides on offense, but neither put a change in the scoreline as the opposing defensive stances stood their ground.
At the final whistle, Cambodia celebrated their only win of the tournament.
Cambodia XI – Sompors (GK), Sreyneth, Li, Yeurn, Vipha, Cheavey (C), Kunthea, Saody, Chanthet, Sreyphors, Sreillas
Timor Leste XI – Andrade Da Costa (GK), Doutel, B. Da Costa, Da Conceicao, Fernandes, Martins, Saldanha, Costa (C), Dos Reis, Barreto, Carvalho
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Catch the entire 2022 AFF Women’s Championship live on SMART Sports and Puso Pilipinas from July 4-18.
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