... and again

Cam U-23s v Thailand: Back Row LtoR: Raksmey, Vichet, Rady, Sokngorn, Sovan, Rithy. Front Row: Saray, Pancharong, Soksana, Souhan, Chhoeun

We have to face facts, the Cambodian team is simply not equipped, tactically, mentally and physically, to mix it with the best in Southeast Asia. That was again demonstrated in this afternoon's match with Thailand in the SEA Games Group A. I only watched the second half on live stream on my lap-top and aside from a header by substitute Sok Pheng and a free-kick by Prak Mony Udom, both of which forced the Thai keeper into tip-over saves, it was all one-way traffic for the whole game. Thailand ran out easy 4-0 winners. Keeper Um Vichet, in for the injured Sou Yaty, did well to keep the scoreline down with a few fine stops and the woodwork saved further embarrassment on at least three occasions. Cambodia couldn't hang onto the ball and there were too many anonymous players on the park - particularly Souhana, Pancharong, Saray and Soksana - leaving Thailand to have the lion share of possession and frequently pressing the Cambodian backline in numbers. If you face that much pressure you will concede goals, as Cambodia did. I didn't agree with coach Lee Tae-Hoon's starting line-up or his substitutions for that matter, but it mattered not a jot. Whatever team he selected from his squad would've found it hard going, after suspensions ruled out Khuon Laboravy, Chhun Sothearath and injury left Yaty off the pitch. The players looked jaded as the 2nd half wore on and you've got to believe that a similar scoreline is likely when they meet Malaysia on Sunday in their final match. I fear the worst. I fully expect that match to be the final game of Lee Tae-Hoon's stint as the national coach. He's had 14+ months to get his act together and the team simply shows no sign of improvement. Time for a new broom to sweep clean. It's up to the federation to make it happen and to put both Lee and the Cambodian football public out of their misery.
Cam U-23s v Thailand: Vichet, Rady, Raksmey, Rithy, Sovan, Pancharong, Saray (PM Udom 66), Sokngorn (Pheng 46), Souhana, Chhoeun (Dalin 70), Soksana. Subs not used: Yaty, Daravorn, Phearith, Veasna. Suspended: Laboravy, Sothearath.

Cambodia's stand-in skipper Sok Rithy (3) tries to stem the Thai flood