Winless Cambodia – or Kouprey as they are more fondly known as – will be out to hunt down their first prey when they take on Laos in a Group A tie of the AFF Suzuki that will be played tomorrow night at the National Olympic Stadium.
After two matches in the group, the Cambodians fell to a 1-0 loss to Malaysia in their home opener while away to Myanmar; they were thumped 4-1 despite taking the early lead.
But after getting at least a week’s rest from their failed foray to Mandalay, the Cambodians will be hoping that the work with head coach Keisuke Honda over the last several days will show against Laos.
“We are of course very excited to play against another good team. And we had about a week to prepare for this match against Loas,” said Cambodian coach Felix Dalmas.
“Our preparation this time is a bit longer and where we have been working to correct the mistakes that we made in our last game.
“We have also managed to see our opponents’ game and where we hope that we can show what we have improved.”
While the Cambodians could perhaps take some solace in having beaten Laos in a friendly in Vientiane earlier in the year, still it will be a totally different ball game tomorrow.
The Laotians are also without a win and where they will be anxious to make sure that they at least still a point in Phnom Penh.
Captain Soeuy Visal, with 47 caps to his name, said that Cambodia will have to be cautious in wanting to chase down their first three points of the competition.
“Even though Laos are already out of the competition, they can still be dangerous. And we need to be better,” added Visal.
“We need to keep on improving and show the work that has been put in this week with coach Honda.”
