Cambodia's hopes of reaching the semi-finals of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games football tournament were dashed on Wednesday after they lost 2-1 to Indonesia in an emotional match at Phnom Penh's Olympic Stadium.
Indonesia took an early lead against Cambodia in the match, thanks to a goal from Titan in the 9th minute. A cross into the penalty box was headed by a striker, but the Cambodian goalkeeper saved it. The ball was cleared, but Titan was on hand to score the rebound.
Ten minutes into the game’s second half, a corner kick into the penalty box was headed by Cambodia’s Sin Sovannmakara into the far post and made it 1-1. Former Cambodian foreign minister, Hor Namhong, had given Sovannmakara $10,000 for that goal after the match.
The goal sent the crowd into a frenzy, and they cheered and chanted for the rest of the half. Cambodia continued to press for more goals, but they were unable to add to their lead.
Another goal was scored by Indonesia’s Beckham, who fired a shot from just outside the penalty box that took a deflection off a Cambodian defender and went into the back of the net. The goal gave Indonesia a 2-1 lead.
Cambodia had a golden opportunity to equalize in the dying minutes of the match against Indonesia but substitute Leng Nora put the ball over the bar.
Substitute Sor Ratanak was fouled outside the penalty box and fell inside it, which led to the penalty kick. Cambodia were denied an equalizer when Lim Pisoth's penalty was saved by Indonesian goalkeeper Muhammad Adisatryo.
Ratanak put the ball into the back of the net after it was saved but the referee ruled it foul and tempers boiled over between players of the two teams.
Cambodia coach Keisuke Honda was seen frustrated on the sidelines and at one point kicked a bottle.
After the game, Honda posted on Facebook, “As you know my project for the Cambodia national team finished. We wanted to make you happier with a better result. But we couldn’t do it, and our life is not promised and reality is sometimes hard for me to accept.
“I have felt the same feeling many times throughout my project since 2018. But you’re the energy and my hope. That’s why I could continue my project until the end. I would like to say thank you for everything last five years. You gave me and all players a lot of things. I’m proud of you all.”
