Cambodia beat Laos 4-2 in World Cup qualifier first leg

Cambodia took a step closer to the 2014 World Cup finals in Brazil by beating Laos 4-2 in the first leg of their Asian Group first round qualifier at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Undeterred by a 1-0 deficit at half time from a long range free kick by the visitors’ Manolom Phomsouvanh, the hosts hit back hard in the second period with a barrage of goals in quick succession.

Striker Khoun Laboravy got things back on level terms on 51 minutes by dispossessing the Laotian defence and slotting past the keeper. Teammate Sam El Nasa then snatched the lead moments later with a competent finish.

Laos came back to equalise via yet another emphatically converted set piece from Phomsouvanh before Kuoch Sokumpheak put Cambodia’s noses in front once again.

The final stages saw some thrilling end-to-end moves and with momentum remaining with the home side, El Nasa slid in on 88 minutes to notch his own brace off a fine Laboravy cut back.

Cambodia will now head to Vientiane for the return leg on Sunday carrying a two-goal cushion, with the winner set to play a further two-legged round against China on July 23 and 28.