The Cambodian Under 18 national team kept Group B of the 2019 AFF U18 Championship wide open on Friday by beating highly rated rivals Thailand 4-3 at The Thanh Long Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
This was the U18’s first ever victory over five-time champions Thailand, having lost their previous six matches dating back 12 years by an aggregate score of 24-1.
Following their 5-1 loss to Australia on Wednesday, the young Angkor Warriors bounced back in style.
Keo Oudom hit the Thai crossbar just after the half-hour mark before Cambodia took the lead when Wut Tola nodded in a Chea Sokmeng free kick in the 53rd minute.
Thailand’s Guntapon Keereeleang equalised 15 minutes later before a burst of two goals in as many minutes.
On 75 minutes, a Thailand own goal made it 2-1 to Cambodia before a Thirapak Prueangna rocket brought the scores level.
Sieng Chanthea then notched two quick goals in the 87th and 88th minutes to put Cambodia 4-2 up.
Guntapon scored Thailand’s third in injury time but it was too late to save the game.