Greatest victory in history of Cambodian Football – Phnom Penh Crown 3 Macarthur FC 0
There are great results, there are big wins and there are victories that are so huge that they make history. This was the later, potential being the best result for Cambodia, or any Cambodian side since the 1970’s.
Not only have Phnom Penh Crown qualified for the group stage of the AFC Cup, but now after beating a team they were supposed to lose to, they sit on the brink of not just semi-final qualification, but maybe, just maybe winning the competition.
To read our interview with Nieto click here.
Phnom Penh Crown 0 Macarthur 0
For the first 20 minutes of the match neither team seemed to get into gear, with the visitors looking potentially the stronger team. Then after 20 minutes this all started with to change with Crown suddenly finding a sprint to their step.
Star striker Nieto was always a danger, having at least one shot well saved by the keeper, but it was the whole team that impressed, playing as a cohesive unit and dominating the half.
Yet despite the dominance Crown would have undoubtedly been happy going into the break at 0-0.
Phnom Penh Crown 3 Macarthur 0
The second half again started slowly, but Crown eventually started to find their stride and once again were the ones to dominate the match. Then on the 75th minute the unthinkable happened when Japanese playmaker Shimizu powered the ball into the back of the net to send the Crown ultras into overdrive.
The match then took a slight turn as the opposition battled to get and equalizer, while Crown seemed to want to sit on their lead. The hosts though were aways dangerous on the counter and in the 85th minute Shimizu was again given a chance on goal which he duly took,
After this Crown not only knew they were going to win, but went very much on the offensive looking for a third goal, something that would come literally in the dying seconds of the game when a perfect pass was sent to Phack who launched a powerhouse from the outside of the box and into the goal. It was game over and by all accounts a historic victory.
Phnom Penh Crown 3 Macarthur 0 – what does it mean?
More could be written about what this means than the actual match itself, with the victory quite literally being historic. No Khmer team has made it to the group stage of the AFC Cup, let alone win a match. Phnom Penh Crown are now 3 for 3 and baring a miracle will now qualify for the semi-finals. And they genuinely have a shot at winning the competition. Not since Cambodia finished 4th at the Asian Games of 1972 has there been such a result.
And as for what it means for Cambodian football? Well it polishes off what has been a bad week for the sport, with rumors that Stoat Saito will be leaving the helm of the CPL (link to KN) and that there is a financial crisis.
This result means not just Phnom Penh Crown doing well, but that the Cambodian coefficient will improve meaning that Cambodia not only stand a real chance of getting a team in the Champions League, but also further entrants into the AFC Cup.
The CPL might not be providing enough money for clubs, but with extra AFC entrants, more money and prestige will flow into the league through the success of the clubs themselves, rather than that of the league.
Phnom Penh Crown represented Cambodia last night, and they truly did us proud.
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Author: Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.
