Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng head coach Matthew McConkey conceded that Video Assistant Referee (VAR) decisions and a red card given to Shan United played a role in his side’s 3-0 away victory over the Myanamar club last night.
The Northern Irishman spoke to the media immediately after the opener of the group-stage match of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2025/26, played at Thuwunna Stadium.
He described how his side had a difficult start when defender Saret Krya appeared to foul Shan United striker Matheus Souza in the box in only the second minute. The referee initially awarded a penalty, but after more than three minutes of VAR review, the decision was overturned.
Soon after, Min Ratanak put Svay Rieng ahead in the 11th minute, following a fine assist from Patrick Robson. The home side’s situation worsened in the 18th minute when Japanese midfielder Ryuji Hirota was sent off with a straight red card for pulling back and pushing down Ryo Fujii.
With a one-man advantage, Svay Rieng doubled their lead just before halftime, with Robson scoring in first-half stoppage time from an Yudai Ogawa corner. In the second half, Svay Rieng maintained pressure while Shan United switched to a defensive setup.
A foul by defender Mauricio on Peprah Kwame in the box handed Svay Rieng a penalty, which Kwame converted in the 53rd minute to seal the 3-0 victory.
“We didn’t start well in the first two minutes, and clearly the VAR decision helped us. Then, of course, the red card helped us as well. But I think once they got the red card, our team’s performance dropped a level. We need to be more consistent in how we play,” warned McConkey.
He acknowledged the red card on Hirota had a major impact on Shan United, but added that their deep defensive approach afterward made it difficult for Svay Rieng to add more goals.
“I think the red card affected them, and obviously it wasn’t good for them. But it also made the game a little more difficult because they dropped very deep, which forced us to control the game and every position,” McConkey explained.
“I’m happy with the win and the three points. At the beginning we didn’t play very well, but after they got the red card we started to score, and in the end we finished with three good points,” said Robson, who was named Man of the Match.
The victory puts Svay Rieng temporarily at the top of Group B with three points. Johor Darul Ta’zim of Malaysia sit second after beating Singapore’s Lion City Sailors 3-1, while Vietnam’s Nam Dinh FC and Thailand’s Bangkok United have yet to play their opening fixtures.
