Some 7000km away from south-west Sydney, the Bulls were made to feel at home in Phnom Penh after being greeted in the Cambodian capital by the Australian Embassy.
The Bulls are chasing a third win from as many matches when they go head-to-head with the Cambodian champions on Thursday night at 11PM AEDT. The clash pits the two group leaders against one another with both sides having began the group stage with a perfect start.
“We like a challenge. We understand they will be a strong team and from the images and we have seen the matches they have played, I think they are coached well,” Sterjovski said. “I think we have a strong team and we are confident in our ability and we have come here to get points and play our football.”
After wins over Shan United and Dynamic Herb Cebu in the Bulls’ first two games, midfielder Clayton Lewis believes Thursday night’s clash will be the toughest of Macarthur’s AFC Cup campaign thus far.
“Definitely not an easy game. Both teams being two from two, there’s a reason for that. We are a strong physical team but we know they are as well,” he said.
Striker Valere Germain didn’t make the trip to Cambodia, after pulling up sore after the Bulls’ 1-1 draw with Brisbane Roar last weekend. Macarthur will return back from Phnom Penh on Saturday morning, 30 hours before playing Central Coast Mariners away from home in the A-League.
