Phnom Penh Crown cemented a place in the AFC Challenge League group stage for the first time ever in dramatic style, with a six-goal whitewash of Brunei hosts Kasuka FC.
Head coach Oleg Starynskyi expressed his delight at his player’s performances at Hassanal Bolkiah Stadium in last night’s match. He admitted everyone was surprised by the result, as no one had expected Phnom Penh Crown to beat Kasuka by such a wide margin.
Starynskyi thanked Cambodian football fans for their support, which he believed help the club achieve the historic win and carry the Cambodian flag forward on the international stage.
“This was our first time traveling here for a match, and although we had some physical challenges, we kept pushing forward, together. We are really happy and proud to claim this important win and represent Cambodia in the international competition’s group stage,” said the Ukrainian coach.
Striker Long Phearath stunned spectators by scoring two goals in the 27th and 64th minutes, before forward Moses Dyer added another in the 67th minute.
Crown’s flowing teamwork was just getting started. New signing Sa Ty, recently transferred from Visakha FC, netted the fourth goal in the 72nd. Even defender Raul Feher got on the scoresheet in the 80th minute, and as the match was nearing its end, Moses Dyer grabbed his second goal in stoppage time (90+4).
Starynskyi acknowledged that the 6–0 win was not as easy as the scoreline suggested, as the hosts defended well and also created chances. However, Crown was more clinical in converting their opportunities.
“In the first half, it was really tense for us because Kasuka defended well. It was important for us to create open spaces, and I think our players did a good job. In the second half, we created many chances and converted them into goals,” he said.
“We played well as a team and defended our danger zones effectively, because Kasuka also had some good chances from set pieces. I’m very happy we were able to turn our opportunities into goals,” he added.
Striker Long Phearath, who scored the first two goals and was named man of the match, dedicated the victory to the soldiers who sacrificed their lives defending Cambodia’s territorial integrity during the recent border clashes.
“This victory is dedicated to the heroes who gave their lives on the battlefield,” he posted.
Crown’s progression means Cambodia now has two representatives in the East Region group stage of the AFC Challenge League: Phnom Penh Crown and Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, who qualified automatically.
The other teams at the group stage are Dewa United (Indonesia), SP Falcons (Mongolia), Tainan City FC (Chinese Taipei), Shan United (Myanmar) and Ezra FC (Laos).
Another club will drop down from the ACL2 qualifiers, either Persib Bandung (Indonesia) or Manila Digger (Philippines). The group stage draw will take place on August 24.
