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Keisuke Honda snaps 5814 day drought in first win as a manager

Melbourne Victory star Keisuke Honda has his first win as an international football manager, guiding Cambodia to a drought-snapping win over Laos at the Suzuki Cup!

Cambodia's national football team manager Keisuke Honda
Cambodia's national football team manager Keisuke Honda

Keisuke Honda is on the board as a manager!

The Melbourne Victory marquee, who doubles as head coach of the Cambodian national team, was in the dugout overnight for a Suzuki Cup clash against Laos.

And his team got the job done, emerging 3-1 winners to move off the bottom of Group A.

The victory is Cambodia’s first in the tournament since 2002 – meaning the end of a 5814 day drought for the Angkor Warriors!

Cambodia's coach Keisuke Honda watches the AFF Suzuki Cup match against Laos
Cambodia's coach Keisuke Honda watches the AFF Suzuki Cup match against Laos

At the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium in the Cambodian capital, the home team were in control throughout. Honda’s men took the lead after just 18 minutes through Chan Vathanka, before Prak Mony Udom hammered home the advantage from the penalty spot.

Laos thought they had an avenue back into the match on 76 minutes, when Somxay Keohanam grabbed a goal back for the visitors.

But hope was extinguished just one minute later as Keo Sokpheng restored the two-goal buffer to create the eventual full-time score line.

Cambodia boasted a whopping 79 per cent possession throughout the clash, and managed 14 shots to Laos’ six.

Cambodia's national football team manager Keisuke Honda (L) reacts
Cambodia's national football team manager Keisuke Honda (L) reacts
Cambodia's national football team manager Keisuke Honda (L) watches while Cambodia's forward Chan Vathanaka (2nd-L) celebrates
Cambodia's national football team manager Keisuke Honda (L) watches while Cambodia's forward Chan Vathanaka (2nd-L) celebrates

Unfortunately for Honda and his team, they’ve been knocked out the tournament despite their victory, with an unbridgeable four-point gap to the top two – who advance from the group stage – with one game to play.

But at least the Victory star patrolled the sideline in style – in a pair of suspenders!

Originally published as Keisuke Honda snaps 5814 day drought in first win as a manager

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/football/keisuke-honda-snaps-5814-day-drought-in-first-win-as-a-manager/news-story/5df9c0342ad811a78d88a3fd8ac23a31