Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Phnom Penh: A double from Maicon helped Boeung Ket claim their first three points of the 2018 AFC Cup campaign as they beat Group F opponents Home United 3-2 on Matchday Three on Tuesday.
There was a stunning start from the visitors from Singapore as they took the lead in the second minute. An excellent through ball from Shahril Ishak found Song Ui-young racing into the box and the Korean midfielder slid the ball past Sou Yaty in the Boeung Ket goal.
But the hosts hit back and levelled nine minutes later. An incisive move ended with Samuel Ayaji releasing Maicon as he broke into the penalty area. The Brazilian took the ball in his stride and side footed past Rudy Khairullah.
Incredibly, it was 2-1 to the home side two minutes later. Julius Oiboh slipped the ball to Ayaji on the left and the striker placed the ball beyond Khairullah from six yards.
Boeung Ket then went 3-1 up against the run of play in the 41st minute. The home side were awarded a penalty when Juma’at Jantan brought down Sath Rosib on the left and Maicon stroked in the spot-kick.
The visitors pulled a goal back in unusual circumstances in the 67th minute. Yaty was adjudged to have picked up a backpass inside the penalty area and, while the home defence hesitated, Ishak placed the ball down for the free-kick and simply rolled it across for Faritz Hameed to tap into an empty net.
Maicon blew several chances to complete his hat-trick in the closing stages but the Cambodian champions held on for the win.
Boeung Ket are now just a point behind Home United before the sides face each other again in Singapore next Wednesday.