Dary plots the future

Bouy Dary, pictured earlier today at the U-14 trials at the RSN Stadium

The man charged with overseeing the future of Cambodia's talented youngsters in the U-14 age group is Bouy Dary, the current head coach of the Phnom Penh Crown Elite Academy. He's the obvious choice for anyone who understands the work he's put into creating and running the successful Crown Academy, the only one of its kind in Cambodia, and the federation have agreed, appointing Dary as the head coach of the Cambodian U-14 national squad that will go to Malaysia for an AFC Festival of Football from 21 May until 3 June. The Malaysian festival is the fifth of the regional AFC getogethers, covering the Asean region with 12 nations taking part. At the U-14 level, the AFC puts the emphasis on learning and development rather than competition and results. Dary and his two assistants, Long Rithea (from the Army) and Ouk Mic (PKR), who until this season was the country's first-choice senior goalkeeper, are currently testing out the best of the age-group youngsters from his own Academy, Preah Khan Reach and other teams at that level. They will select a 30-strong squad that will be whittled down to 22 boys that will make the trip to Malaysia. Dary has been responsible for the Crown Academy for the past year, having previously worked as an assistant coach for the senior Phnom Penh Crown team and for the Cambodian national team under ex-head coaches Scott O'Donell and Prak Sovannara. He also played for the Cambodian U-23 and senior teams as a midfield player with the Royal Navy before hanging up his playing boots at a comparatively young age to concentrate on coaching. Without doubt the future of the U-14 national team is in very safe hands.

Bouy Dary with his PPCFC Academy youngsters