Asean Cup 2024: Malaysia Stalls Cambodia with 2-2 Draw
Group Stage Match Heats Up in Phnom Penh
Malaysian players celebrate after scoring against Cambodia in the Asean Cup in Phnom Penh today. (FAM Facebook pic)
PHNOM PENH: Malaysia had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Cambodia in their first match of the 2024 Asean Cup tournament here today.
Malaysia Takes Early Lead
Malaysia took the lead in the 35th minute through Sabah FC player Stuart John Wilkins. What seemed to be a lopsided match then heated up in the second half as both teams did their best to secure victory and grab the full three points.
Cambodia Fights Back
In the dying minutes of the first half, Malaysia could have gone ahead, but poor finishing at the goal mouth failed to yield any positive results. Fresh from halftime, Cambodia clawed their way back when Coulibaly Abdel Kader slotted the equaliser in the 52nd minute, which then triggered a change in the tempo of the game.
Back-and-Forth Action
Buoyed by the support from the home crowd, Cambodian ramped up the game with a second goal when Ty Sa scored in the 60th minute but the Malaysians were not deterred, and Fergus Tierney struck back with the team’s second goal in the 74th minute after sloppy goalkeeping by Cambodia’s Dara Vireak, leaving both teams at 2-2.
Group Stage Overview
Malaysia is in Group A along with defending champions Thailand, Singapore, and Timor Leste. Group B comprises Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
Conclusion
The 2-2 draw between Malaysia and Cambodia sets the stage for an exciting group stage in the Asean Cup 2024. Both teams will look to build on this result and secure a spot in the knockout stage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who scored Malaysia’s first goal in the match?
A: Stuart John Wilkins of Sabah FC scored Malaysia’s first goal in the 35th minute.
Q: Who scored Cambodia’s equalizing goal?
A: Coulibaly Abdel Kader scored Cambodia’s equalizing goal in the 52nd minute.
Q: How many goals did each team score in the match?
A: Malaysia scored two goals, while Cambodia also scored two goals. The match ended in a 2-2 draw.