PKR Svay Rieng FC coach Matt McConkey is targeting three points in his side’s ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup™ Group B clash with Lion City Sailors FC as the Cambodians attempt to keep their slim semi-final prospects alive.
Svay Rieng go into the game on four points from three matches to retain an outside chance of pipping Johor Darul Ta’zim FC to second place in the standings and claim a place in the knockout rounds for the first time.
The Cambodians gave up a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with JDT earlier in the competition having picked up a win over Shan United FC in their Group B opener and lost to leaders Nam Định FC to leave McConkey satisfied with his team’s performances to date.
“I think in all our games we’ve been very competitive,” he said. “Some matches have been decided by moments where we could perhaps have done a little better, either by taking our chances or not conceding certain situations.
“We’re hoping to show the same level again tomorrow and, maybe with a bit more luck, we can get a positive result.”
Svay Rieng are taking on a Lion City Sailors side that has also amassed four points having played one game more than Thursday’s opponents and McConkey is expecting a difficult challenge against the reigning Singapore Premier League champions.
“They have a lot of quality players,” he said. “Several of their foreign players have played in strong leagues before, and they also have some younger players who bring energy to the team. They’re quite well structured defensively.
“A lot of the game will depend on how we use the ball — how we move them, create space and create chances.
“We’re a big, physical team, so set pieces and transitions can be important for us, but we also need to be ready to deal with their transitions when we have possession.”
Lion City Sailors go into the game with no chance of progressing to the next phase, but coach Aleksandar Ranković is determined that his team exit the competition in a positive manner.
“When you play at home, it’s always important to win, especially when it’s the last group match,” he said. “We want to finish this campaign in a good manner and with a good performance, so that is very important for us.
“The teams we have faced so far are very physical and play at a high tempo, so those are important lessons for us. But more importantly, we want to represent Singapore football well and try to get a positive result in this final match.”
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