Phnom Penh Crown spoils DH Cebu's AFC Cup debut

Photo from AFC

by Drew Malihan

MANILA - AFC Cup debutants Dynamic Herb Cebu's maiden campaign starts on a sour note as visiting Cambodian side Phnom Penh Crown, three goals to none, to start their cup competition campaign on Thursday inside the Rizal Memorial Stadium.

Phnom Penh, who were entering their second stint in the AFC Cup, keeps their pressure on the DH Cebu defense but the home team, who played 570 kilometers away from their main stand in Talisay City, held on to the delight of the Manila crowd.

It was up until the 42nd minute where Japanese reinforcement Shintaro Shimizu opened the floodgates for Phnom Penh from Kyaw Soe Moe’s cross, which went past Ace Villanueva's guard.

The current Cambodian Premier League champions doubled their lead in the second half thanks to Colombian attacker Andres Nieto's pass to captain and Khmer full international Orn Chanpolin in the 54th minute, who converted it to a goal in the top corner.

Nieto's impressive form paid off for him as he slotted an 83rd minute goal from out of the box that went pass to an unsettled Cebu defensive line and past Villanueva's control.

The Gentle Giants tried to fight back in the second half with a 65th minute shot from Japanese defender Rintato Hama as well as a 75th minute opportunity from Chima Uzoka, but none made it past Um Vichet's wall.

The Talisay City-based team will be set on a tour to Sydney as they will meet 2022 Australia Cup winners Macarthur FC inside the Campbelltown Sports Stadium.

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