Cambodia routed in Challenge Cup qualifiers
Cambodia's bid to make the 2014 AFC Challenge Cup appears to be all but over after a 7-0 defeat to Turkmenistan in their opening Group E qualifier.
By FOX Sports staff
In a group where the qualification equation has already been made more complicated by Brunei's last-minute withdrawal, Turkmenistan, runners-up at the last two editions of the tournament, hardly broke a sweat as they saw off Friday's opponents at the Rizal Memorial Stadium in Philippines.
Yazguly Hojageldyyew's charges took just seven minutes to open the scoring through an Arslanmyrat Amanov strike, before captain Vladimir Bayramov netted in the 23rd and 36th minute to hand his side a commanding lead.
An own-goal from Om Thavrak four minutes before the break ensured the contest was all but ended by halftime, but Turkmenistan showed no signs of letting up in the second half and experienced striker Berdy Shamuradov made it 5-0 in the 74th minute.
Guvanch Abylov then got in on the act by adding a 6th nine minutes from time, before Gurbangeldi Batyrov rounded off the scoring with another six minutes later.
Cambodia are next in action on Sunday when they take on group hosts Philippines, who will be looking to match Turkmenistan's emphatic victory in order to enhance their chances of finishing top and qualifying for the tournament.
Nonetheless, a failure to do so will not necessarily spell the end of the Azkals' chances as the two best second-placed teams from the five groups will also progress to the 2014 tournament.
Image courtesy of WSG