Cambodian Coach: Players Under Pressure From Audience

Monday, May 8, 2023 05:02 (GMT+7)
4 hours ago

Explaining the 0-2 defeat against U22 Myanmar in the third match of Group A of men's football at the 32nd SEA Games, coach Ryu Hirose said it was due to the players' psychology.

Coach Ryu Hirose believes Cambodia still has a chance to enter the semi-finals of SEA Games 32. Photo: Quang Thinh .

"A lot of fans came to cheer for us. That was both motivation and great pressure, so the Cambodian players did not go in the right direction," Mr. Ryu Hirose told the press conference.

"The Cambodian defense lost the ball a lot. They were under pressure, maybe because of the home crowd, but we will improve in the next match," he added.

Cambodia's two goals came in the first half. In the 13th minute, Chea Sokmeng showed off his personal skills at home and then missed the ball. Hein Htet Aung took the ball and kicked it into the back of the opposing defender to score. In the 38th minute, Thet Hein Soe "fell beautifully" in the penalty area to increase the score to 2-0.

Cambodia lost the right to decide in the final match of the group stage against Indonesia. Coach Hirose tried to be optimistic: "We have to win to wait for the opportunity to enter the semi-finals. No matter what formation Indonesia uses, Cambodia only has one goal."

Indonesia have qualified for the semi-finals after a 3-0 win over Timor Leste. They will probably be looking at their squad for the semi-finals. However, Cambodia will have to hope that Myanmar does not beat the Philippines and they have to beat Indonesia.

After the 0-2 loss, Technical Director Keisuke Honda went into the locker room early. Immediately after that, the President of the Cambodian Football Federation, Mr. Sao Sokha announced his resignation. He had promised that if the team did not pass the group stage, he would no longer be the leader of Cambodian football.

As for Honda, he has not made any moves on social media after his team's results. The 32nd SEA Games is the last tournament for the former Japanese player as an advisor.

Highlights U22 Myanmar 2-0 Cambodia At home, coach Keisuke Honda and his students disappointed when they lost 0-2 to U22 Myanmar in the 4th match of Group A men's football at SEA Games 32 on the evening of May 7.

Quang Thinh

from Phnom Penh, Cambodia

Cambodia eliminated Cambodia Sea Games 32 U22 Cambodia eliminated Sea Games football