Sunday, December 5, 2010

Cambodia crash

The national team starting line-up: [Back row LtoR] Mic, Sopanha, Raksmey, Tiny, PM Udom, Piseth. [Front] Soksana, Narith, El Nasa, Sothearath, Sokumpheak
The Cambodian national team crashed 4-1 in this afternoon's friendly encounter with the visiting collegiate side, Ulsan University from South Korea. So it's back to the drawing board for Cambodia's South Korean coach Lee Tae-Hoon who lined up with a 4-5-1 formation that did reasonably well for much of the first half but which fell apart after the interval. The coach is using a plethora of games against local C-league teams as well as this match against the University team that was playing its third game against the national team in as many years, to assess the players worthy of a place in the national squad for the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying matches in February against Macau. Included in the squad for this game were some new names and faces including Pom Tola from the Army, the Police defender Soy Piseth and PKR's Soun Veasna. Piseth got a starting berth alongside Tieng Tiny and did well enough, as he and his teammates started the game in positive fashion, taking the lead after just 2 minutes. Kouch Sokumpheak, playing wide left, swung over a perfect cross which evaded the challenge of Sam El Nasa in the middle but struck the knee of Ulsan defender Choo Seung Woo and crept over the goal-line. On the half-hour Ulsan forced half a dozen corners without causing too much of a threat on Ouk Mic's goalmouth. However, on 36 minutes, Mic found himself beaten by a wicked bounce as the ball reared up off the turf and over his despairing dive, after Kim Woo Jung struck from outside the box. Honours even at half-time.
Just four minutes after the resumption, Ulsan got their noses in front when substitute Pom Tola's weak headed clearance fell at the feet of Choi Min Seok who rifled the ball past Mic. After that it was pretty much one-way traffic as both teams rang the changes but the fresh legs of Ulsan proved more effective. On the hour, Tola was outwitted by Kim Woo Jung who flashed in his second goal of the game, before late substitute Lee Jae Wook bent down low to head a fourth in time added on. Ulsan stepped on the gas in the second half, upped the tempo and effectively silenced Cambodia's hopes of a first win against the collegiate side. Chhin Chhoeurn sent a glancing header inches wide with Cambodia's best chance of the second period but it was too little against the more powerful visitors.
Cambodia line-up: Mic, Raksmey (Tola 45), Narith (Rady 77), Tiny, Piseth, Sopanha (Veasna 71), Sothearath, Soksana (Chhoeurn 45), Prak Mony Udom (Laboravy 38), Sokumpheak (Sophal Udom 62), El Nasa (Pheng 60). Subs not used: Simay, Bunchhay, Rithy, Bunhieng,
Skipper Ouk Mic leads out the Cambodian national team
3 Phnom Penh Crown players line up alongside PKR's Ouk Mic. They are Sun Sopanha, San Narith and Kouch Sokumpheak (9).
The starting line-up wait for the handshakes
The substitutes bench pose with their friendship flowers
Friendship is the order of the day as the teams and guests pose

5 comments:

David80 said...

Hi Andy

Any news about the cambodian-french player? greeting from Indonesia

Cheers

Andy Brouwer said...

Yes, they aren't good enough for the Cambodian national team. Certainly none of them was any better than the players already playing in the national team squad, in my humble opinion.
Andy

Anonymous said...

Andy, think some players should not be given a place in the national team for example like Sa Em Nasa (too old and not play well), Prak Monyoudom (still limited), Soy Piseth (too bad), No 25 but i don't know why the coach and their assistants chose them.

I felt very disappointed and promise not to watch them play again in the future if they still use those guys. It is really embarrassing me.

I regret to buy the ticket of $1 and spend such a long hour watching them playing a bad game against University back from South Korea.

Regards,
Ryra

Andy Brouwer said...

Hi Ryra,
it's too easy to get upset with the team when they lose, its very frustrating as we all want the team to do so well, but the national team is now under a new coach and he has to find his best team, that is why he is experimenting with different players. I would suggest we give him, and them, the opportunity to gel together more with the important games against Macau in February next year.
At the moment, the coach is looking at many players to see who is suitable and who has the necessary determination, desire and skill to play at international standard.
We must accept that Cambodia is lacking in international experience, so progress will be slow. But look at the Philippines so far in the Suzuki Cup. We were as good if not better than them, and yet they have done really well so far. So don't be too disappointed with our team in these practice matches. They are simply that, practice games to determine who is good enough to represent Cambodia in the future.
But don't get me wrong I am as frustrated as you and I'm sure the players and the head coach are equally frustrated. They never play to lose.
Andy

Anonymous said...

Hi.Ryra.
This is a warm up game so that the coach can see all the player in action.This squad not yet selected.The coach just testing them and select some of them to play in the national team.Please don't angry with the result.I also went to see the match too and always keep watching the national players.Believe me.

You will see the real national team in feb 2011 against Macau.
Please calm down and keep support our national team.