AFC Cup
Four wins and 15 goals scored from their first five matches in Group F ultimately proved enough for the Cambodian side to reach the next stage of the competition for the first time and head coach Oleg Starynskyi is hoping that Thursday’s defeat does not detract from that fact.
#AFCCup - Group F | Shan United FC (MYA) 2-1 Phnom Penh Crown FC (CAM)
“This is a big historical moment for Cambodia,” said Starynskyi. “At the start (of the competition), no one gave us a chance of reaching the next stage. This loss shouldn't negate the achievement.
“I don't want to give any excuses for the defeat, we came here looking to win but unfortunately we didn't get it.
“We started very well getting in front but in this kind of game, it's important not to concede and they punished us with two quick counter attack goals.”
Having won the reverse fixture 4-0 in October, Phnom Penh started with confidence and took the lead through Andres Nieto but were pegged back by Racheen Bello in the 42nd minute before Ye Yint Aung scored the winner in first half added time.
Despite the victory, Shan ended their campaign bottom of the group but nevertheless, goalscorer Bello was proud that they were able to finish with a bang.
“I'm very happy with this result because when we played them away, we lost but this time everyone worked hard and we managed to beat them,” Bello said.
“Phnom Penh are a good team and we had to play our best game to be able to win.”
Phnom Penh will face Australia’s Central Coast Mariners in the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals in February.
Related News
- AFC Cup
Sterjovski tells Macarthur to stay focused
- AFC Cup
#AFCCup - Knockout stage lineup finalised
- AFC Champions League
Park Tae-ha takes over as Steelers head coach
- AFC Asian Cup
Player to Watch: Alimardon Shukurov (Kyrgyz Republic)
- FIFA Club World Cup
Preview - 2nd Round: Al Ahly FC (EGY) v Al Ittihad FC (KSA)
Item 1 of 5