The Cambodian national U14 team return home from Myanmar and the 2014 AFC U14 Championship qualifiers without a win or even a single player on the scoresheet, but with a sense of pride at some encouraging performances against the region’s powerhouses.

The boys, led by former Cambodian international and Phnom Penh Crown Academy head coach Bouy Dary, lost their remaining Group F game 1-0 to Singapore yesterday, having fallen to table-toppers Thailand by an identical margin the day before.

Two draws and three defeats at the Zeyar Thiri Stadium in Naypyidaw ensured Cambodia would not progress to the finals stage in Uzbekistan next year but, with many of the players a full two years younger than their average opponent, the campaign will not be considered a disappointment.

Singapore and Indonesia were still in the hunt for the remaining berth to the finals from Group F, with games playing later yesterday, while, across town at the Wunna Theik Stadium, Timor Leste and Malaysia sealed their advances from Group E with victories.