Losing to Indonesia, Keisuke Honda says goodbye to Cambodian football

To get through the narrow door to the semi-finals of the 32nd SEA Games, U22 Cambodia needs to defeat Indonesia, while Myanmar must draw or lose to the Philippines. In the final match, the host failed to achieve both of these conditions.

Despite only fielding a reserve team, U22 Indonesia still created an overwhelming situation against Director Keisuke Honda's team.

U22 Indonesia overwhelmed U22 Cambodia.

It seemed that Indonesia would enter the break with the lead. In the 45+1 minute, the Olympic stadium erupted when number 14, Sovannmakara equalized for Cambodia. From a corner kick on the right wing, defender Sovannmakara comfortably headed the ball into the far corner, the ball bounced off the post and into the net, surprising the U22 Indonesia defense.

The home team's faint hope was extinguished by U22 Indonesia, when the second half had only been going on for 6 minutes. U22 Indonesia's midfielder No. 10 dribbled skillfully outside the penalty area and then kicked with his left foot, the ball bounced off the home team's defender and flew into the net.

In the same match, Myanmar scored against the Philippines in the 55th minute. Number 3 took advantage of the chaotic situation to finish close to the goal, scoring against the bottom team.

Despite great efforts, U22 Cambodia still could not pass the group stage of SEA Games 32.

Squandering many clear scoring opportunities, the U22 Cambodian players had to accept a 1-2 defeat against U22 Indonesia, and sadly said goodbye to SEA Games 32 in the group stage.

After the defeat of U22 Cambodia, Technical Director Keisuke Honda plans to return to being a player and at the same time study for a coaching degree.

"Honda and I will not continue to lead Cambodia after the 32nd SEA Games. I don't know yet. But Honda plans to return as a player and study for a coaching degree," coach Ryu Hirose said on the evening of May 10, after Cambodia lost 1-2 to Indonesia, being eliminated from the group stage of the 32nd SEA Games at home.

Director Keisuke Honda was sad when he could not help U22 Cambodia qualify for SEA Games 32.

Honda came to Cambodian football as Technical Director in 2018, when he was still a player. He directs online because he is still playing for clubs in Australia, Brazil, the Netherlands, Azerbaijan, and Lithuania.

Under Honda, Cambodia reached the semi-finals of the SEA Games for the first time in 2019, but lost 0-4 to Vietnam - the team that eventually won the Gold Medal. At that Games in the Philippines, the famous Japanese player still directed online, while the direct leader was Felix Dalmas - a young Argentine coach.

Keisuke Honda came to Cambodian football as Technical Director in 2018.

"Honda is experienced. He has taught and helped the players improve a lot. Hopefully the new coach will continue to promote that, helping Cambodian football develop further," Mr. Hirose added.

Mr. Ryu Hirose was registered as the head coach of Cambodia at the 32nd SEA Games. However, he only attended press conferences, and in the matches played, Hirose sat in the cabin, leaving Technical Director Honda to fully direct the team on the field.

Keisuke Honda leaves Cambodian football after 5 years.

Speaking about the final match in Group A, SEA Games, coach Hirose assessed Indonesia as a strong team, like Thailand and Vietnam, played better and deserved to win. According to him, Cambodia also played well, creating many opportunities, especially in the second half.

''Our problem is that we cannot take advantage of opportunities, maybe due to physical strength, technique or maybe because of bad luck," said coach Hirose./.