Tomoki inspires Cambodia’s rubbermen to AFC Cup win

Boueng Ket Angkor 1 – Magwe FC 0

AFC Cup Group F

Olympic Stadium 14-3-2017

The AFC cup group stage experience improved markedly for Boueng Ket Angkor and their beleaguered coach John McGlynn as the rubbermen secured their first points of the campaign courtesy of a Magwe own-goal midway through the first half.

Playing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Khoun Laboravy leading the attack ahead of Maycon, Tomoki and Seth Rozib the home-side struggled to settle early. The rubbermen looking rudderless against the tidy side from Myanmar. Two early free-kicks in dangerous positions wasted for Magwe -  the first after Sou Yaty had slid out of his penalty area still clutching the ball.

The peroxide headed keeper is a divisive figure. An excellent shot stopper capable of producing wonderful saves, as illustrated at least twice to secure this win, but with a tendency of potentially calamitous dashes from the line leaving his goal orphaned. No keeper should be forced to head the ball as often.

After their shaky start Boeung Ket began to grow in stature. 

Possession less timid. 

Less intimated by the giant Africans, Henry Alloysius and Malian Jean Paul Oulai, marshaling the back line for Magwe nor Guinea’s Sylla Sekou up-front. 

Tomoki was again excellent. Full of energy and intent creating chances and constantly looking for opportunities. 

However the battle with Alloysius seemed one-sided and neither Laboravy nor Maycon were able to assert themselves physically. However with their first corner, defended by 10 Magwe players, Boueng Ket took the lead. The unfortunate Oulai deflecting the ball into his own-net from inside the crowded penalty area.

Almost immediately Boeung Ket Angkor slowed the game down and, here on in, did a generally good job of control. The busy Burmese players, chief among them speedy Maung Maung Soe (whose Wikipedia entry presumably erroneously states he is the mayor of Yangon), Swan Htet Aung, and Naing Naing Kyaw searching for opportunities for Sekou. The best chance was created when the Guineans ominous presence on the end of a Maung Maung Soe cross forced the otherwise excellent Touch Pancharong to head towards goal forcing a full-stretch save from Yaty to prevent the game's second OG.

In the second half Magwe searched for the equaliser but Boeung Ket Angkor held firm. Marauding breaks by Tomoki and Maycon denied by a combination of  last grasp, lung-busting defending from Alloysius and a cynical foul resulting in the second yellow-card for the Burmese substitute Set Phyo Wai. So three AFC points and a clean sheet for Boueng Ket, a relief after conceding 14 goals in the past six games, together with some ASEAN football bragging rights.

Man of the Match: Tomoki Muramatsu (BKA)