Cambodian Metfone C-League champions Boeung Ket pulled off a convincing 3-2 win over visiting Singapore S.League side Home United at Olympic Stadium this evening.
The Blue Dragon finally opened their winning account in the AFC Cup Group F campaign after a morale-crushing 9-1 loss to Ceres Negros of the Philippines and a narrow defeat by Myanmar’s Shan United.
Boeung Ket’s victory was built around Brazilian striker Maycon Calijuri’s brace and Samuel Ajayi’s goal, and the effective partnership they forged with Julius Oiboh upfront to confound the visitors.
Just as the sides were settling down to the rhythm of their choice after the kick-off came a sudden spurt down the centre from Soung Ui-young after Amy Recha slipped in a clever pass.
Home United’s South Korean signing, who is spending his seventh season with the club, outsprinted defender Sun Sovanarithy and had Sou Yaty at his mercy, leaving the Boeung Ket keeper in disbelief.
Undeterred, Boeung Ket found the right response minutes later when a defence splitting pass by Ajayi set up Mayconn who beat Home keeper Rudy Khairullah.
Not long later, Oiboh on the run found Ajayi, who darted in through the backline to give Boeung Ket a 2-1 lead.
First three points
Boeung Ket were awarded a penalty when Sath Rosib was brought down inside the box by defender Jum’mat Jantan and referee Masoud Tufayelieh of Syria pointed to the spot.
Stepping up to take the penalty, Maycon sent Khairullah the wrong way to send Boeung Ket into the break 3-1 up.
The hard working Ajayi in the company of Maycon and Oiboh continued to keep the visitors on their toes, while the Boeung Ket back line kept a close watch on breakaways.
But in the 68th minute came a shocker for Boeung Ket when Sou Yaty was pulled up picking up the ball from a back pass.
The referee awarded a free-kick inside the box to Home United and the side craftily exploited the opportunity to reduce the margin to 3-2 and give themselves a chance of a fightback.
But Boeung Ket were in no mood to relent. They kept their poise and by the time seasoned Khun Laboravy was called in from the bench, coach Keo Kosal was already counting his first win and the team their first set of three points in this AFC Cup campaign.
