Home side NagaWorld (in blue) went down 4-0 to Phnom Penh Crown in the first leg of the Hun Sen Cup qualifiers on February 27. NagaWorld FC
A 4-0 home defeat at the hands – or feet – of Phnom Penh Crown in the first leg of their Hun Sen Cup showdown looked likely to scupper NagaWorld’s campaign.
Despite many pundits declaring a four goal aggregate too much of a challenge to overcome, NagaWorld head coach Khim Borey remains upbeat, however.
He acknowledged that his squad have a tough fight ahead of them, but warned punters against writing the side off.
“We realised our chances were very slim after the 4-0 loss in the first leg, but as we all know, this is football – and anything could happen,” Borey told the media.
He assured the press that his team was not feeling any pressure ahead of this weekend’s March 14 away match.
“Our team doesn’t feel much pressure, even playing away. I know the strength of Phnom Penh Crown, but what we need to focus on is preparing the team well and boosting their morale for the match,” explained the former national player.
He also acknowledged several lapses – in both defence and finishing – which led to the poor home result in the February 27 clash.
A former Cambodian national player, Naga coach Khim Borey faces the tough challenge of overcoming a 4-0 aggregate margin in this weekend’s return encounter. NagaWorld
Borey noted that after Crown striker Ofufu Ibeh scored the first goal in the 4th minute, NagaWorld had several chances to equalise, particularly through Marcio Marques and Hugo Kametani, who had several opportunities but failed to find the back of the onion bag.
Crown then added three more goals, including an own goal by Yuta Kikuchi in the 71st minute, and goals from Lem Pisoth and Yem Devit in the 89th and 90+4 minutes.
“When we had chances, we lost our defensive focus, which led to three additional goals. In the second leg, we need to strengthen our defence and finishing,” explained Borey.
While some may believe Crown coach Oleg Starynskyi has Borey’s number, their most recent encounter shows the two squads are closer than ever.
In a bruising March 9 fixture in the Cambodian Premier League, Crown forward Gayoso Javier Augustine was lucky to snatch a 1-0 win in the 90+1 minute.
Despite the parity on display in that match, a 4-0 aggregate is likely to prove insurmountable for Naga, with Crown almost certain to join Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng and Boeung Ket in the semifinals, with the fourth side likely to be Visakha.
In the first leg of the other quarterfinals, Svay Rieng won 2-0 against host team Kirivong Sok Sen Chey, while Boeung Ket claimed a 2-0 away victory over ISI Dangkor Sen Chey.
Visakha drew 2-2 with hosts National defence FC, but looked the better side, meaning they are likely to use the home advantage to go through in the return match.
The second leg matches for all six teams will take place on April 2.
