CAMBODIA pulled off a stunning 3-2 upset of the Philippines last Tuesday night at the start of Group A action in the Mitsubishi Electric Cup at the Morodok Techno National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Inspired by hometown fans at the 60,000-seat arena, the Cambodians looked the better squad from start to finish, with striker Reung Bunheing cutting loose with a brace in the 15th and 59th minutes. Orn Chanpolin added the third marker in the 20th minute.
With barely a month together under new Spanish coach Jose Ferre, the Azkals also had a brace courtesy of veteran Kenshiro Daniels, who was moved up to the forward position and had goals in the 41st and 55th minutes.
The victory ended a 20-year losing spell for the hosts, whose last win over the Filipino booters was a 1-0 decision in the same competition in 2002 while gaining a full three points in the five-team group.
The outcome spoiled the national team debut of Spanish mentor Jose Ferre, the new Azkals coach, who was tapped to replace American mentor Thomas Dooley at the last minute.
Defending champion Thailand thrashed Brunei 5-0 in the other group match to kick off its title-retention drive at the Kuala Lumpur National Stadium and seize the early lead.
“We created chances but we just could not get the last touch. Now, it is a question of working the last three matches to turn things around,” rued forward Mark Hartmann at the post-match press conference.
The Filipinos will try to regain their bearings and remain in contention when they face Brunei tomorrow in their home game at the Rizal Memorial Football Stadium.
In the pre-match press briefing, Ferre had warned his new charges not to be complacent against Cambodians, who were ranked No. 177 in the FIFA world rankings, 44 rungs lower than the Azkals.
“Cambodia has skillful players and they are fast and dangerous,” Ferre noted. “We have to be prepared for anything.”
Apparently, the Pinoy footballers were not prepared enough as the Kouprey, Cambodia’s moniker, began with a furious pace that netted them the opening goal early on from Bunheing, who struck inside a crowded box from the left side.
Before the Azkals could settle down, Cambodia struck again four minutes later with Chanpolin threading his 25-yard roller through several Pinoy defenders, the ball glancing off the gloves of goalie Kelvin Mendoza and into the net.
Daniel finally broke the Azkalss silence in the 41st minute, following up a shot from point blank range that goalkeeper Keo Soksela had earlier parried as they stayed withing striking distance 1-2 at the break.
With Ferre making some changes following a dismal first half, the Filipinos played with resolution and their efforts paid off with Daniels going for a solo drive that netted the equalizer 10 minutes into the second half.
But Bunheing had the final say with a glancing header in the 59th minute, a lead the Cambodians would cling to for dear life despite the desperation moves of their rivals the rest of the way.
