Match Report: Sri Lanka 0 – 0 Cambodia

Cambodia will be confident of progression into the next round despite a poor performance in Colombo.

Sri Lanka were by far the better of the two teams on a hot and humid afternoon.

However Cambodia will come away from this game knowing that the home leg next Tuesday is going to be much more to their liking and you would expect them to come through on home soil.

To read about Match Preview: Cambodia Vs Sri Lanka click here.

1st Half: Sri Lanka 0 – 0 Cambodia

Cambodia lined up in a 5-2-3 formation that quickly changed to a 3-4-3 when in possession with Chantha Bin wearing the captain’s armband. The game opened at a friendly pace and the humidity of the afternoon in Colombo would ensure the first half rarely broke into a second gear.

Sri Lanka were purposeful with possession building several decent attacking opportunities down their left side. Virak Dara forced into a double save at his back post after a build up carved our right side to pieces. Just ten minutes earlier a through ball cut through the Cambodian defensive line and we could all breathe relief as the Sri Lankan forward shot wide of the goal when 1 on 1.

It was a first half with Sri Lanka dominating possession and asking all the questions. Cambodia offers very little in any department.

2nd Half: Sri Lanka – Cambodia

Any hope the second half would be played at increased pace were quickly dashed with no fewer than 23 stops of the game in the opening five minutes. The players didn’t seem too bothered as the Sri Lankan humidity continued to drain any energy from both sets of players.

It took 20 minutes for the first opportunity to come and it was once again down the left side of Sri Lanka as they broke through and the cross fizzed across the goal with only a touch needed but no one able to provide it.

It was 82 minutes into the game when Cambodia finally managed to attack with any threat. A corner coming to nothing and almost leading to a Sri Lankan counter attack. Three minutes later a long throw into the Khmer penalty area caused chaos and if not for brave defending with bodies being thrown at the ball we could have lost the game late on.

Player Ratings

• Dara 8,

Several great saves to keep us in the tie.

• Mizuno 6,

Steady performance.

• Sovann 7,

Looked solid.

• Mo Kan 7,

A good performance.

• Yudi 5,

Unusually quiet.

• Chanpolin 6,

Couldn’t get into the game.

• Chantha Bin 6,

Steady.

• Sophen 5,

Non-existent.

• Kyra 5,

Couldn’t get into the game.

• Pisoth 5,

Barely touched the ball.

• Ty Sa 6,

Some neat touches.