PHNOM PENH, April 30 (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The Cambodian U22 footballers kicked off their SEA Games medal campaign with an impressive 4-0 dismantling of Timor-Leste in their opening match.

Japanese head coach Ryu Hirose announced his elation following the win, saying he has high hopes for a medal-winning performance by the Young Kouprey.

The home team entertained over 30,000 spectators who watched their debut live at the National Olympic Stadium, with tens of thousands of other spectators thrilled by the match as they watched at home, or jostled for a view at one of the large free screens that have been erected throughout the Kingdom.

Following a missed shot from Lim Pisoth three minutes into the match, the game settled into a pattern, with the Cambodian side looking comfortable and probing the Timor-Leste half.

Their patience was rewarded when midfielder Chou Sinti got the crowd going with two beautifully worked set piece goals at minutes 39 and 45+2, leaving the Cambodians 2-0 up as they returned to the changing rooms.

Under pressure from their late first half concession of two goals, Timor-Leste stepped up their attack and piled pressure on the home team. The Cambodians were able to withstand the assault, and fans were rapturous when substitute Sor Rotana found another goal in the 74th minute.

In the 83rd minute, Rotana cemented his status as a crowd favourite when he created a chance for Lim Pisoth, who seized the opportunity, driving home the fourth and final goal of the match.

The 4-0 victory over Timor-Leste in Group A created a joyful atmosphere around the stadium, where fans proudly displayed a banner of the Kingdom’s late King Father Norodom Sihanouk, who oversaw the construction of the facility.

Speaking to reporters after the game, coach Hirose was asked which team he thought would prevail in the race to stand atop the games podium at Morodok Techo National Stadium.

“It’s my team – the Cambodia team – who will be champions,” he responded, with no hesitation.

Cambodia currently tops the Group A standings, leading Indonesia on goal difference, after the latter defeated rivals the Philippines 3-0 earlier on the same day.

“We will see the true situation develop over each of our games. We intend to adapt our strategy to match each of our opponents, of course. Today’s result brought real satisfaction, but we have also identified some points we need to work on,” said Hirose.

Chou Sinti, who scored twice in a dream debut for the national team, shared his excitement and declared his commitment to producing similar performances in the coming matches.

“I am so unbelievably happy to have scored twice in my first game for the national team, and at the SEA Games, no less! I want to thank the crowd for their tireless support. I didn’t dare to imagine that I could score two goals. I will do my best in the next matches,” he said.

Cambodia will face the Philippines on May 2, Myanmar on May 7, and potential favourites Indonesia on May 10. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN