Phnom Penh Crown Football club forges its legend
The AFC Cup is Asia’s secondary club football tournament, featuring teams from developing football nations. The 2023-24 edition is the last one before it is replaced by new competitions from the next season. It is also the first and only edition to have a two-year schedule, instead of an all-year-round one.
One of the most surprising results in the AFC Cup 2023-24 so far was the 3-0 victory of Phnom Penh Crown FC over Macarthur FC in Group F on October 27, 2023. The Cambodian side became the first team from their country to defeat an Australian team in a continental competition, ending Macarthur’s perfect record in the group stage.
In this article, we will provide you with a detailed analysis of how Phnom Penh Crown FC achieved this historic feat, including the key players, tactics, and statistics.
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Key players
Phnom Penh Crown FC’s star player was Shintaro Shimizu, who scored a hat-trick against Macarthur FC. The Japanese striker, who joined the club in 2021, has been prolific in front of goal, scoring 10 goals in six matches in the AFC Cup 2023-24 so far. He is the top scorer of the tournament and has also provided two assists.
Shimizu’s partner in attack was Phach Socheavila, who scored the third goal in stoppage time against Macarthur FC. The Cambodian forward, who is also the captain of the national team, has been a consistent performer for Phnom Penh Crown FC, scoring four goals and providing three assists in six matches in the AFC Cup 2023-24. He is also known for his work rate and leadership skills.
Another key player for Phnom Penh Crown FC was goalkeeper Keo Soksela, who kept a clean sheet against Macarthur FC. The Cambodian keeper, who has been with the club since 2015, has been impressive in the AFC Cup 2023-24, conceding only four goals in six matches and making 23 saves. He is also the vice-captain of the national team and has earned 38 caps.
Tactics
Phnom Penh Crown FC’s coach Sum Vanna employed a 4-4-2 formation against Macarthur FC, with Shimizu and Socheavila as the two strikers. The midfield consisted of Sath Rosib on the left wing, Orn Chanpolin and Yeu Muslim as the central midfielders, and Sin Kakada on the right wing. The back four comprised of Ouk Sovann on the left-back, Yue Safy and Kok Boris as the center-backs, and Choun Chanchav on the right-back. Soksela was the goalkeeper.
Phnom Penh Crown FC’s strategy was to defend compactly and counter-attack quickly, exploiting Macarthur FC’s high defensive line and lack of pace at the back. They also pressed aggressively when Macarthur FC had possession in their own half, forcing them to make mistakes or play long balls. They used their pace and movement to create chances, especially through Shimizu and Socheavila.
Macarthur FC’s coach Ante Milicic used a 4-2-3-1 formation against Phnom Penh Crown FC, with Matt Derbyshire as the lone striker. The attacking midfield trio consisted of Tommy Oar on the left wing, Markel Susaeta as the central attacking midfielder, and Loic Puyo on the right wing. The defensive midfield duo was Benat Etxebarria and Denis Genreau. The back four comprised of Ivan Franjic on the left-back, Aleksandar Jovanovic and Aleksandar Susnjar as the center-backs, and Jake McGing on the right-back. Adam Federici was the goalkeeper.
Macarthur FC’s strategy was to dominate possession and create chances through short passes and combinations in the final third. They also tried to stretch Phnom Penh Crown FC’s defense with their width and crosses from the flanks. They used their experience and quality to control the tempo and dictate the play.
Statistics
The statistics of the match between Phnom Penh Crown FC and Macarthur FC are as follows:
| Category | Phnom Penh Crown FC | Macarthur FC |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 38% | 62% |
| Shots | 12 | 15 |
| Shots on target | 6 | 4 |
| Corners | 3 | 7 |
| Fouls | 14 | 11 |
| Offsides | 3 | 1 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 1 |
| Red cards | 0 | 0 |
The statistics show that Macarthur FC had more possession, shots, and corners than Phnom Penh Crown FC, but they were less efficient and clinical in front of goal. Phnom Penh Crown FC had more shots on target, fouls, offsides, and yellow cards than Macarthur FC, indicating their aggressive and direct approach.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the AFC Cup: A historic victory for Phnom Penh Crown FC against the Australian team Macarthur FC:
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Q: When and where was the match played?
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A: The match was played on October 27, 2023 at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium in Cambodia.
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Q: What was the score at half-time and full-time?
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A: The score at half-time was 1-0 for Phnom Penh Crown FC, with Shimizu scoring in the 28th minute. The score at full-time was 3-0 for Phnom Penh Crown FC, with Shimizu scoring again in the 71st minute and Socheavila scoring in the 90th minute.
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Q: What was the significance of the result for both teams?
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A: The result was significant for Phnom Penh Crown FC, as they became the first Cambodian team to defeat an Australian team in a continental competition. They also matched Macarthur FC on six points in Group F, with two wins and one loss each. The result was disappointing for Macarthur FC, as they lost their perfect record in the group stage and missed a chance to secure their qualification to the zonal semi-finals.
Conclusion
The AFC Cup: A historic victory for Phnom Penh Crown FC against the Australian team Macarthur FC was one of the most remarkable matches in the AFC Cup 2023-24 so far. The Cambodian side showed their determination, resilience, and quality to overcome a more fancied opponent and make history. They also boosted their chances of advancing to the next round of the tournament. The Australian side, on the other hand, suffered a setback and will have to bounce back in their remaining matches.