Bangkok: Cambodia will look to pull off one of the biggest shocks in ASEAN Championship history when they take on reigning champions Thailand in their final Group A game at the Rajamangala Stadium on Friday, knowing that only a victory could prolong their campaign.
Some 83 places above Cambodia at 97th in the FIFA rankings, the record-seven-time champions will be the biggest test for Koji Gyotoku’s side at the tournament so far.
With one game to play in Group A, Thailand lead the way with nine points and have already booked their ticket to the knockout stages.
Cambodia currently occupy third spot, trailing Singapore by two points, and must rely on favourable results elsewhere, knowing that a win against Thailand and a defeat for Singapore in the other fixture kicking off simultaneously could secure their passage through to the semi-finals. Anything less and Cambodia will face yet another exit at the group stage.
They will have to do so without three of their key players — captain Kan Mo and midfielder Kim Sokyuth are out with injuries while Yudai Ogawa will be unavailable for the match due to suspension.
However, the Cambodians will enter the clash in a confident mood on the back of a 2-1 defeat of Timor-Leste. The Koupreys began their campaign with a thrilling 2-2 draw with Malaysia in what will go down as one of their most famous results in the competition’s history.
But they suffered a narrow 2-1 defeat in Singapore in their second game before coming from behind to defeat the Timorese 2-1 in their recent outing at National Olympic Stadium.
Thailand, meanwhile, will be strong favourites to claim maximum points in the group stage. The War Elephants, who are looking for an unprecedented hat-trick of titles, have been impressive in this year's edition of the tournament and their 15 goals make them top scorers by a distance, while only conceding two in the process.
Led by Japanese tactician Masatada Ishii, they began their campaign with a 10-0 thrashing of Timor-Leste and overcame Malaysia 1-0.
In their most recent outing, they fell two goals behind to Singapore but stormed back to win 4-2 following goals from Patrik Gustavsson, Suphanat Mueanta, Peeradol Chamrasamee and Teerasak Poeiphimai as they made it three wins from three to seal their place in the semi-finals.
Ishii could well give some younger and lesser-used squad members the chance to feature in front of the home supporters, as the opportunity for his main starters to rest and recover could prove crucial in the coming weeks.
🎦 #THAvCAM 𝗛𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗟𝗜𝗚𝗛𝗧𝗦
— ASEAN United FC (@aseanutdfc) January 2, 2023
🇹🇭 Thailand 3⃣-1⃣ Cambodia 🇰🇭
🐘 The War Elephants see off a spirited Cambodia side to secure a spot in the semis!
#AFFMitsubishiElectricCup2022 | #BeTheGameChanger pic.twitter.com/cI2tD7yRA4
Friday will only be the second meeting between the two sides in the ASEAN Championship, and it was Thailand who emerged 3-1 winners when they first met in the previous 2022 edition courtesy of a brace from Teerasil Dangda.
Thailand vs Cambodia
Venue: Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok
Kick-off: 20 December, 8 PM (Local Time)
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