Bubble is burst

Cambodia's AFC Challenge Cup dreams are over for another two years as they lost to a solitary goal in the fourth minute of injury time against the Group A winners Myanmar in Dhaka late this afternoon. With Myanmar needing just a point to secure the automatic qualification place, they made sure of top spot with their 94th minute winner from Win Thein after Cambodia had more than held their own for the majority of the game. Cambodia national coach Prak Sovannara, needing a win to retain any hope of qualifying, tinkled with his offensive-looking team line-up and it appeared to be going to plan with Cambodia holding their much-fancied opponents, and creating a couple of guilt-edged chances before that cruel late winner in time added on. Sovannara said, "We played good football throughout the match but were unfortunate to miss some close chances. The free-kick which bounced off the bar post was unbelievable but things like this happen and we just need to pick the pieces from here and play better next time." A crowd of 2,500 watched the game at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka in cooler conditions than of late. The Cambodia line-up was: Seiha, Chanbunrith (61 Sokngorn), Raksmey, Tiny, Thavrak, Borey, Vathanak, Sokumpheak, Laboravy (46 El Nasa), Narith (73 Ravy), Sovannarith. subs (not used) Mic, Chanthan, Rady, Pichseyla. Cambodia return home tomorrow, having finished third in their group on three points after hosts Bangladesh defeated Macau 3-0 in their evening kick-off to clinch the runners up spot and the last place in next year's finals.