Cambodia beat Vietnam to edge one step closer to the semi finals

Final Scores at the hooter as Cambodia record their second win in the series.

Cambodia is now one step away from a place in the semi finals of the China-Asean Invitational Basketball tournament following a spectacular win over Vietnam Hanoi in the group B tie played on Thursday in Nanning City, Guangxi Province, China.

The win came at the back of the lose to China Guangxi in the Wednesday Game and with the team having to play in the absence of their head coach Austin Koledoye's return to Cambodia due to pressing need in his job at NISC.

US based Import Sopouen Ouen once again dominated scoring with 36 points, eclipsing his previous record of 25 points in the match against Macao.

“We had to step up in the absence of Coach Austin and take responsibility and in the end we won” says Swedish Import Thach Boroth who finished with 31 points.

Pek Mith takes A free throw in the Cambodia Win over Vietnam Hanoi

Both sides need a win to have any chance of getting a semi final berth. Vietnam had lost their opening game to Chinese Taipei setting up a tough battle between both sides from the blast.

Cambodia took a 3 point lead at the end of the first quarter finishing 23-20. The Second Quarter ended in similar fashion with Cambodia maintaining their three point lead ending the 1st half 46-43.

As was in the first two games, Cambodia went to sleep and allowed Vietnam to get back into the game and with 1 minute on the clock, both sides were evenly matched as the 3rd quarter ended 61-61.

Whatever Coach Lor Rith who took over from coach Austin may have told the lads seem to have an instant effect as the trio of Boroth Thach, Pek mith and Sopoeun Ouen combing beautifully with Kim Vengngoun, Kim Ran, Meas Rithyravuth, and Sopheark Mith, to cruise into a 10 point lead with 3 minutes on the clock. All efforts by Vietnam to come back were waded off by the high flying Cambodian Quintet before ending the tie 90-72 with the trio of Sop Ouen, Boroth Thach and Pek Mith making 78points between them.

“ We are delighted for the result, we still have to beat Taipei on Saturday to progress and we are looking forward to that game” Head of delegation Top Panha stated moments after the game.

Meanwhile Cambodia’s promising home boys, Monh Putratana and Lav ChhayDany have both been ruled out of the competition following injuries in the first Game against Macao. Putratana suffered a broken finger while Chhaydany finished the game with a groin strain. Both Players will have to battle to be fit for the SEA games which is just 2 weeks away.

Cambodia will observe a rest day before their all important clash against Chinese Taipei on Saturday. A win will see the Kingdom in the Semi finals with Malaysia their likely opponent.

Other Results at a Glance
Cambodia 77- 65 Macao
Chinese Taipei 74 – 48 Vietnam Hanoi
Malaysia 79 – 44 Myanmar
Hong Kong 82 - 85 China Pingguo
Singapore 98 – 22 Laos
Cambodia 62 – 72 China Guangxi
Taipei 89 – 103 China Guangxi
Cambodia 90 - 72 Vietnam Hanoi.

Ken Gadaffi is an Expert/Adviser to the National Olympic Committee of Cambodia

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