On the evening of December 9, the Indonesian team beat Cambodia 4-2. The results did not fully reflect the situation of the match. Statistics from the match organizing committee show that the Cambodian team was superior in many statistical indicators such as ball control at 54.9% of the time, launching 13 shots (6 on target), making 391 passes and accuracy rate of 81%.
Before this match, coach Ryu Hirose surprised many people, even shocking them when he said: "It doesn't matter who we face in this tournament, we will try to give our all. The important thing is that the whole team always applies the tactics and diagrams that we have prepared, because that is really important for us in the match.
The Cambodian team wants to dominate against all opponents, including Brazil or another team. We will maintain control of the ball and try to win the ball in the opponent's half. That's how we're going to play."
The Cambodian team did this right, playing football right on target. The absence of No. 1 star Chan Vathanka does not affect them much. The Angkor Warriors put strong pressure, especially from the second half, when 2 experienced players, Prak Mony Udom and Polroth came on.
Ryu Hirose's side created many clear scoring opportunities, but unfortunately Polroth and Lim Pisoth failed to take advantage.
Scoring 2 goals against Indonesia is commendable for the Cambodian team, equal to the number of goals they scored in 4 previous meetings with the team from the archipelago. But the most noteworthy thing is the way Cambodia plays, with clear, coordinated intentions and confidence in putting pressure right in the opponent's half. The mark of coach Ryu Hirose and General Director of the team Keisuke Honda on the players is very clear.
After 2 matches, the Cambodian team controlled the ball more than Malaysia and Indonesia - 2 teams that were rated much higher than them. Although they have not won any points, this generation of players of the Cambodian team brings a lot of hope. "This is the team we are preparing for for the future, so we want them to continue to develop, both mentally and physically and I think they showed that today," Hirose said after the match against Indonesia.
