Phnom Penh Crown head coach Oleg Starynskyi is urging his players to forget the humiliation of their 4–1 defeat to Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng in the first leg of the AFC Challenge League and instead focus on showing stronger determination and spirit in tonight’s decisive second leg.
Despite facing an uphill battle, the Ukrainian coach said his team still believes in its chances of mounting a comeback.
The second-leg showdown will take place at Morodok Techo National Stadium at 7pm tonight, March 12, with Starynskyi insisting his team has nothing left to fear. Crown have previously recorded positive results against Svay Rieng at the stadium, which he claims gives the squad extra confidence.
“In our last two meetings at Morodok Techo National Stadium, we achieved positive results. This is a beautiful stadium, and it gives us additional motivation to play,” he told a Wednesday press conference on the eve of the decider.
“We will fight hard in this match because we have nothing to fear anymore. We must take the opportunity we have and give everything we can. Our determination is strong and we will do our best,” he added.
New Crown signing, South Korean forward Kim Seo In, also emphasised the team’s focus ahead of the match.
“We have an important match in our hands, and I can see that our team is very focused for this game. We must prepare ourselves well and be ready,” he said.
Matthew McConkey, head coach of domestic league toppers — and reigning champions — Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, acknowledged that matches against Phnom Penh Crown are always difficult.
In their last two meetings at Morodok Techo National Stadium, Svay Rieng lost 3–2 and drew 2–2 against Crown.
However, McConkey noted that the circumstances of this match are different.
“This encounter has a different context and different circumstances. What we must do is prepare our team well and try to win this match so we can advance to the next round,” he clarified, somewhat unnecessarily.
Svay Rieng striker Alves also expects a tense contest.
“This will definitely be a tense match because Phnom Penh Crown will push hard to win. But we are prepared and our preparation has been good. We hope to win the match and move on to the next round,” he said.
