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The 2022 AFF Mitsubishi Electric Cup kicked off with a surprise 3-2 victory for Cambodia against the Philippines in the competition’s opening game. Whilst it’s been a rough year for the Philippines only recording one win throughout 2022 they were still expected to beat a Cambodia side that sit 178 in the FIFA rankings, 45 places lower then the Philippines. Coming into this game Cambodia had only ever won 4 of their 30 games played at the AFF Cup and they’ve never managed to get out of the group stage in their 8 appearances. Compared to that of the Philippines who have reached the Semi final 4 times with the most recent one being in 2018.
For Cambodia this was mostly the same squad that competed in the AFF Cup last year however a few notable absences include the talented winger Prak Mony Udom and their second all time leading goalscorer Chan Vathanaka.
This is how the television graphic expected Cambodia to lineup, the only difference was the number 9 Chanthea played on the right wing whereas number 15 Reung Bunheing played in that lone striker spot. Out of possession it was more of a 5-4-1 with the two wingers dropping back to create a flat midfield 4. Then in possession when attacking the centre back Souey Visal would come into central midfield to create a midfield 3 turning into a 4-3-3.
As for the Philippines it must be said that this was an understrength team, they were missing at least ten key players retaining only 7 players from last year’s AFF squad. With a lot of the Philippines talent playing abroad across Europe many of their leagues are still being played therefore couldn’t be called up. With that being said the team that was selected should’ve still been more than good enough to beat a footballing minnow nation like Cambodia.
In terms of how the Philippines lined up the television graphic was spot on in terms of the formation however number 20 Mark Hartman played a much deeper role in central midfield. Then the experienced number 17 Stephan Schröck played more as a striker rather then playing in that number 10 role in behind as expected.
First Half
Getting into the match the Philippines started very brightly, in the first 5 minutes they played some nice one touch passing, they were moving the ball quickly, Stephan Schröck was dropping deep and linking up the play well and it seemed like the Philippines were going to be in control. However that five minutes is the only praise the Philippines will be getting from me as it was all downhill from here on in.
Seven minutes in the first shot of the game came to Cambodia as number eight Orn Chanpolin unleashed a powerful shot from distance which was palmed behind for a corner.
From the resulting corner the Philippines defence completely switched off which was a very common theme in this game as Sambath had a free header which went just wide.
Cambodia really started to settle into the game, keeping the ball very well, playing through the lines and in the 15th minute Cambodia took the lead. The centre back who was stepping into midfield Soeuy Visal, played a wonderful lofted ball over the top of the defence for Lim Pisoth who held the ball up, played it to the overlapping Left back Seut Baraing to put a great ball in for striker Reung Bunheing who gets in between the two Philpean defenders and turns the ball into the back of the net.
Just 4 minutes later in the 19th minute Cambodia get another. A woeful clearance from the Philippine number 20 falls to Orn Chanpolin who charges onto the ball and hits it first time from just outside the box. The Philipean keeper Kevin Hansen does get a leg to it but the power takes it past him into the top corner for a 2-0 Cambodia lead.
Cambodia continued to play some brilliant football, they were so composed on the ball and with Visal dropping into central midfield the player on the ball always had an option. You could see the confidence oozing through the players with the one touch passing and they even started to bring out the intricate little flicks.
But Cambodia also knew when to play it long as well with the balls over the top causing so many problems. Both of Cambodia’s wing backs were superb all game providing the width which allowed the two wingers to play a bit more narrow and get on the ball on the edge of the box.
In the 35th minute the Philippines finally get their first shot on goal, Visal gave the ball away inside his own box trying to play out from the back but striker Kenshiro Daniels could only shoot straight at the keeper.
That was a warning sign for Cambodia and five minutes later Philippines pull a goal back to make it 2-1 completely against the run of play. Hartman plays a short pass through to striker Daniles who dropped deep with his back to goal, he lays the ball of to Amita who strikes from 25 yards out. The Cambodian keeper Keo Soksela parries the shot right into Daniles who sticks in the rebound.
It was really poor goalkeeping from Sokesla who should’ve held onto the ball, but if your going to parry it at least knock it out wide and not straight into the path of the oncoming striker inside your own box. And that wouldn’t be the last mistake he’d make in this game either.
The goal seemed to wake the Philippines from their slumber and spark them into life. Cambodia who had been in total control for 38 minutes of the game suddenly found themselves on the back foot.
Cambodia got another scare in the 42nd minute as Hikaru Minegishi’s shot stung the gloves of Keo Soksela who managed to hold onto the ball this time.
Cambodia went into halftime with a well deserved 2-1 lead.
Second Half
Moving into the second half the Philippines coach Josep Ferré brought on Audie Menzi and Sandro Reyes in the hopes of changing the game.
The Philippine performance did improve slightly and they seemed to come out in the second half with a bit more intensity and started to take the game to Cambodia. And in the 54th minute with their first chance of the second half the Philippines equalised.
A hopeful lobbed through ball up the field from centre back Amani Aguinaldo caused confusion in the Cambodian back line as striker Kenshiro Daniels who was running through the middle got onto the end of it and stuck it through the keepers legs to make it 2-2.
The goalkeeper Keo Soksela who was at fault for the first goal was also at fault for this one as he stood rooted to his line. He easily had enough time to come out and collect the ball but another poor decision and an individual error from him saw the Philippines pull the game back to 2-2.
However it took just 4 minutes for Cambodia to respond and in the 58th minute they retook the lead. Some more wonderful build up play as Seut Baraing surged forward with the ball through the midfield. He plays a great ball over to the right to Chanthea who holds the ball and an overlapping run from right back Yeu Muslim that was so effective throughout the whole game. His cross into the box allowed Reung Bunheing to guide his header past the goalkeeper as the Philippines defence once again switched off. To many players ball watching and not focusing and their defence was all over the place in this game.
In the 66th minute Stephan Schröck had an incredible chance to equalise as he went through on goal one on one but Keo Soksela who I’ve been very critical of made up for his errors with a wonderful save to keep the game at 3-2.
Cambodia then had the chance to extend their lead in the 69th minute. A quick free kick saw Sieng Chanthea go through one on one with the goal, he opens his body up and tries to finesse the ball into the bottom right corner but a fantastic save from Kevin Hansen prevents a 4th Cambodia goal.
In the last 15 minutes Philippines started to turn the intensity up a level, they started to get into some good attacking positions but a wall of Cambodian bodies stood firm and prevented any more meaningful chances with some resolute last ditch defending.
The game finished 3-2 on a historic day for football in Cambodia. Coach Keisuke Honda who only 10 days ago was apologising after a dreadful 4-0 defeat against Malaysia oversaw one of the biggest wins in Cambodian football history. This wasn’t just some fluke win, they played some very good football, they worked so hard off the ball and a 3-2 scoreline flattered the Philippines
