Cambodia to open campaign against the Philippines

Cambodia will open their campaign in Group C of the ASEAN U19 Boys’ Football Championship in Medan on Saturday.

The Kingdom will open their campaign against the Philippines before taking on five time champions Australia three days later.

Cambodia, who have never gone past the group stage in all their previous 12 appearances in the championships, must beat the Philippines to put themselves in a chance to qualify for the semi-finals.

Only the top teams in each of the three groups and the one best second placed team will qualify for the knockout stages.

Cambodia had beaten the Philippines 1-0 when they met in the championships two years ago.

Yesterday, Thailand thrashed Brunei 9-0 as Malaysia outplayed Singapore 3-0 in Group B of the championships at the Teladan Stadium.

Pattaratron Buransuk was on a hat-trick (24^th, 26^th, and 36^th minute) for Thailand to be followed by a brace from Siwakorn Ponsan (49^th and 52^nd minute).

The rest of the goals for Thailand were scored by Itthimon Tippanet (in the 7^th minute), Pichaiya Kongsri (40^th), Kongnat Thuamthongdee (69^th) and Natthakit Phosri (89th).

The Malaysians were on target through Arif Aiman Zaaba in the 21^st minute, Abid Safaraz Rozaidi (39^th) and Tengku Hasyri Shah Tengku Hazman (61^st).

The tournament kicked off a day earlier with host Indonesia and Vietnam scoring identical 3-0 wins in their Group A fixtures.

Arkhan Kaka Putra Purwanto carved the opening goal for Indonesia in the 39^th minute against Myanmar before Dimas Wicaksono Putra Rahman fired in a double (78^th and 87^th minute) for their comprehensive victory.

Vietnam had a hattrick from Cong Hau Hoang (2^nd, 87^th and 90^th+1 minute) to thank for their victory over Timor-Leste.