Myanmar’s Shan United are fully focused on tonight’s opening clash against Cambodia’s Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2025/2026 group stage, at Thuwunna Stadium at 6.30pm.
Shan head coach Hiroki Ono acknowledged that Svay Rieng have grown stronger and harder to challenge, making it crucial for his team to stay disciplined and cautious if they want to block the Cambodian champions’ ambitions for three points.
“Tomorrow’s match will not be easy. We need to stay focused, play carefully and strategically. We’ve learned from last year’s experiences and prepared as much as possible this season, because our opponents are tougher than before,” he told a Wednesday press conference.
“We’ve worked on improving both results and performance compared with last season. The players and coaches have trained and prepared thoroughly, and this year the club president has been deeply involved in preparations too. So we hope for a good outcome,” added Shan captain Nanda Kyaw.
Svay Rieng previously defeated Shan 4–2 in the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2024/2025 group stage.
The two sides also met twice in the AFC Challenge League 2024/2025 quarterfinals, with Svay Rieng winning 6–2 at home but losing 2–1 away in Myanmar.
Matthew McConkey, Svay Rieng’s newly-appointed head coach, noted that Shan are very different from previous seasons, in terms of quality and squad organisation. With three to four new foreign signings, the Myanmar side have improved their style of play significantly.
Even so, McConkey expressed confidence that Svay Rieng can secure victory and downplayed fans’ concerns about playing away in Myanmar, where they lost last season.
“Shan United have signed new foreign players, but so have we. This match will be determined by the 22 players on the pitch, many of whom are different from the last three meetings. So it doesn’t mean it will be difficult for us to win here,” he said.
He reflected on the two side’s last meeting in the AFC Challenge League, on March 13, when Svay Rieng lost 2–1 away.
“I just think that what happened in the past doesn’t always affect the future,” said McConkey.
“I think we’ve prepared really well, and now we have to play with 100% confidence. It will be a tough match because I’ve played against Shan United before when I was with Phnom Penh Crown. They are a very good team, especially in this competition, so we need to stay focused,” added Cambodian-Japanese midfielder Yudai Ogawa.
