Phnom Penh, Cambodia — Matt McConkey, head coach of Cambodian champions Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, has issued a pointed warning to their Group B rivals in the Shopee Cup following a captivating 2-2 draw against Malaysian powerhouse Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT).
The highly anticipated match, played on the evening of December 4th at the Morodok Techo National Stadium, saw over 16,000 passionate fans witness a dramatic late comeback from the visitors. Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng appeared to be heading for a crucial three points until JDT netted two goals in injury time to snatch a draw, leaving the home side with just one point.
JDT’s late heroics came courtesy of Shane Lowry and La’Vere Corbin Ong, whose crucial strikes in added time rescued a point for the Malaysian giants on Matchday 3 of Group B. Earlier in the encounter, McConkey’s side had established a commanding two-goal lead through a spectacular long-range effort from Cristian Roque, who found the back of the net from nearly 30 meters out, followed by Nhean Sosidan’s well-taken second goal.
Reflecting on the performance, Coach McConkey highlighted his team’s exceptional play for the majority of the game. He praised their adherence to the pre-planned strategy, which effectively put pressure on the formidable Johor Darul Ta’zim. The 32-year-old Northern Irishman expressed immense pride in his squad’s efforts, despite the disappointment of letting a significant three points slip away on home turf.
Speaking at the post-match press conference, McConkey stated, “I am incredibly proud of what we achieved today. We executed many aspects of our game plan very well. I believe for about 80 minutes of the match, we were outstanding. While this draw might not significantly boost our position in Group B, it’s important to note that this wasn’t even the strongest JDT team we’ve encountered. However, any other team planning to face us should absolutely not underestimate us.”
McConkey further elaborated on JDT’s tactical approach, suggesting that the 11-time consecutive Malaysian league champions had conserved their energy during the initial phases of the game. He observed that JDT seemed to hold back in their pressing and ball challenges, only unleashing their full strength as Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng players began to tire, with some even needing to be substituted due to muscle issues. This calculated strategy, according to McConkey, was likely a pre-planned tactic by the Malaysian club for their encounter with the Cambodian hosts.
Following the intense fixture, Johor Darul Ta’zim currently sit atop Group B with 7 points from three matches, closely followed by Vietnamese powerhouse Nam Dinh, who have accumulated 6 points. Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng holds the third position with 4 points. The upcoming schedule for early 2026 will see Svay Rieng hosting Thai side Bangkok United, who are currently in fifth place with 1 point from two games, just below Singapore’s Lion City Sailors, also with 1 point. Myanmar’s Shan United remain at the bottom of the table without any points after two losses.
