Saret Krya’s header in first-half stoppage time earned Preah Reach Khan Svay Rieng a 1-1 draw with Bangkok United in Group B of the ASEAN Club Championships in Hanoi.
The win also lifted the top Cambodian side to third place in the Group behind Vietnam’s Nam Dinh and Malaysian outfit JDT.
Svay Rieng were the early aggressors at the Hàng Đẫy Stadium with Sieng Chanthea attempt in the 12th minute did not trouble Thai keeper Chinnapong Raksri.
Four minutes later, the Thais took the lead. Wisarut Imura’s mishit shot ricocheted off the thigh of Svay Rieng’s Faris Hammouti and the ball fell kindly for Rungrat, who took a touch to control before scoring past Vireak Dara.
Yudai Ogawa almost levelled in the 21st minute when he jinked through the Bangkok United defence only to drag his shot wide while Dara prevented Arthur De Moura from doubling the Thai side’s lead moments later as he muscled through the defence.
Patrick’s driving run went close to delivering the equaliser for Svay Rieng, the Brazilian powering past the Bangkok United backline to hit a shot that flew across the face of goal with Cristian inches away from tapping in at the far post.
Seconds into first-half stoppage time, the Cambodia Premier League champions equalised. Ryo Fujii’s cross-field ball from the left was angled towards the far post and Krya arrived late and unmarked to thump his header on the run beyond Chinnapong.
Arthur was off target with a rare opportunity in the second half while Dara was forced into a diving save to his right when Guntapon Keereeleang tried his luck from distance for Bangkok United with 17 minutes remaining.
Chinnapong kept out Kwame Peprah’s effort four minutes later as both sides sought a late winner but in the end the points were shared.
The result ensures that Svay Rieng finish in third place in the standings on eight points, three clear of Bangkok United, who ended the group phase in fourth.
Nam Định will take on Selangor FC in the two-legged semi-finals on May 6 and 13, with JDT play defending champions Buriram United FC of Thailand on the same dates. The final will be played over two legs on May 20 and 27.
