The Cambodian Under 23 football team received special praise from Prime Minister Hun Manet following their September 9 triumph over their Mongolian opponents.

The Kingdom’s U23 team is currently competing in the AFC U23 Asian Cup 2024 qualifying tournament.

They defeated the Mongolian side 2-1 in a September 9 match.

The game – played at Saudi Arabia’s Prince Sultan bin Abdul Aziz Stadium – brought joy to many of the Kingdom’s football fans, including the new prime minister.

Manet took to social media to express his delight at the win.

“I appreciate and congratulate our national U23 team, who defeated Mongolia U23 2-1 in the AFC U23 ASIAN CUP qualifying stage,” he wrote.

The two Cambodian goals were scored in the first half by Sor Ratana and Sar Ty, with the Kingdom’s footballers unlucky to concede a goal to Mongolian defender Bat-Orgil Gerelt-Od.

The Young Kouprey now stand second on the Group J table with four points, following a September 6 2-2 draw with Lebanon. Saudi Arabia sit top of the group ladder, with six points.

A top of the table match between the Saudis and the Cambodians is scheduled for September 12, with the winner set to progress to the next stage of the cup, which will be held in Qatar.