Svay Rieng striker Pablo Augusto (in white) during a match against Thailand’s BG Pathum United on September 25. He will be absent from tonight's match against PSM Makassar, due to injury. Svay Rieng FC
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC will host Indonesia’s PSM Makassar FC at the National Olympic Stadium at 7.30pm tonight, in a crucial ASEAN Club championship match.
Head coach Pep Munoz acknowledged the challenge ahead, highlighting the solid defence, midfield and attack of the Indonesian side.
Makassar currently top Group A of the ASEAN Club Championship Shopee Cup 2024/2025, with 4 points after two matches. They are tied with Thailand’s BG Pathum United and Vietnam’s Dong A Thanh Hoa, while Svay Rieng sits in fourth place, with 3 points.
Adding to the challenge, the Cambodian club will be without their star Brazilian striker, Pablo Augusto, who sustained an injury during warm-ups before their January 3 CPL match against Nagaworld. Other players, including striker Kim Sokyuth, are also recovering from injuries.
“We have players who are unwell or injured, and Pablo’s absence is a significant blow as he has consistently performed well for us in international matches,” Munoz told the media, during a January 7 press conference.
Pep Munoz (centre, left) shakes hands with Bernardo Tavares at a press conference on Tuesday, January 7. Svay Rieng FC
Despite the setbacks, he expressed confidence in his squad, particularly the local Cambodian players who have had fewer opportunities to feature in international matches due to the club’s reliance on foreign players.
He described the match as a chance for them to demonstrate their quality on the big stage.
The Spanish coach emphasised focusing on the available players rather than dwelling on the injuries, saying, “We are concentrating on the players we have and the match itself because our Cambodian players are capable of performing at the international level.”
“PSM Makassar is a strong team with quality players, including a Brazilian defender and a Japanese midfielder. However, we aim to showcase our playing identity by maintaining possession, creating chances and blocking their opportunities. We want to secure 3 points to advance to the next stage of the tournament,” he added.
On the other side, Makassar’s Portuguese head coach, Bernardo Tavares, acknowledged Svay Rieng’s high level of play and adaptability, making them a tough opponent. However, he expressed confidence in his team’s preparation and ability to perform well.
“It will be difficult to take 3 points on Cambodian soil, but we need to stay focused on the game, especially on what to do when we lose possession and when we have the ball. Svay Rieng is a team that maintains possession and changes tactics and positioning effectively. Therefore, we need to prepare well in both defence and attack to achieve a good result,” Tavares said.
