RAYONG: The Cambodian U23 football team defeated Brunei 5-0 in the first match of the ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) U23 Championship on August 17. The AFF U23 Championship is taking place from August 17 to 26 in Rayong, Thailand.

The Angkor Warriors took the lead through defender Sor Rotana in the first five minutes and their ultimate victory was secured with the help of midfielder Sophal Dimong, defender Chea Sokmeng, and winger Pisey Ean, among others.

This year’s AFF Championship includes teams from 10 Southeast Asian countries. Cambodia hosted the 2022 tournament and placed second in its group, while Vietnam took first place overall that year. The Cambodian team’s only placement in the tournament so far was fourth in 2019, where they lost 1-0 to Vietnam in the semifinals

Led by Argentinian Coach Felix Dalmas, who replaced Coach Keisuke Honda following the SEA Games, the team hopes to improve their international standing. "Good players have been selected for this regional tournament, and we hope they will be able to achieve good results," Dalmas told reporters at the Phnom Penh International Airport.

The Cambodian team, in group A, will play their next matches against Myanmar and Thailand on August 19 and 21 respectively. The semi-final will take place on August 26.