Monday, December 16, 2013

Thin layer of gloss

The SEA Games football competition ended for Cambodia U-23s tonight with a 0-0 draw with Thailand. Normally that would be a cause for celebration, as traditionally we always lose to our neighbours. And the players deserve credit for holding the Thais at bay for ninety minutes. But we have to look beyond the bare bones of the scoreline. The Thais rested players for this game as they were already through. Sou Yaty, captaining Cambodia once again, was the difference between the two teams and pulled off half a dozen excellent saves to keep his team in the match, five of them in the second half. Cambodia had three chances in the game. Phourng Soksana had two of them, both snuffed out by the opposing keeper and Chhin Chhoeun fired the other one across the face of the goal. To be frank, Cambodia never looked likely to score, they simply don't possess a finisher in the whole squad. Chan Vathanaka got a rare start in this game but was more focused on kicking the opposition and conceding dangerous free-kicks, which is something the whole team was prone to do, than being the offensive threat he is in the C-League. His effectiveness was blunted. The back-four is a serious problem area. They kept the opposition out tonight, but more by luck than judgement. Ros Samoeun cannot defend and why he was converted into a full-back is beyond me. Another weird and wonderful decision from head coach Lee Tae-Hoon. The single point that Cambodia will take back from the SEA Games, after three successive defeats to Myanmar, Indonesia and Timor Leste, may be seen by some as a positive, but it's not. It's a thin layer of gloss over what has been another unsuccessful adventure overseas under Lee's tutelage. We have now endured such misery all too often over the past couple of years of Lee's control and it's time to call a halt. In fact, that time is way overdue. The Phnom Penh Post hinted at other less attractive misadventures on their sports pages today and anyone with an ounce of gray matter will take one look at Lee's record and realise it's time to call it a day. We need a stronger, driven, football expert to shake up Cambodian football from top to bottom, effectively starting again from scratch, or else we will continue to limp from one disaster to the next, showing no signs of progression whatsoever, as our national team slips further behind every other country in the region. This is the bleak outlook we face unless we take action now to stop the rot.
I was criticised by one of Lee's assistants this evening on facebook, less than an hour after the game, who claimed I didn't support the Cambodia team, but he is so far from the truth. I am the nation's biggest fan (as much as a foreigner can be) but I will not sit idly by and keep quiet, while I see that so much needs to be changed before we will improve. Whether that's the national team and its coach, the domestic C-League and its organisation, cup competitions, match officials, grassroots development and so on. Football is my passion, it always has been and always will be and if I see something that I believe is wrong or needs changing in my opinion, then that is fair game.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

I agree with your idea, Andy. Actually, Mr Lee should not be selected for this position with his poor records and strategy. My national team play better if it still stay under Mr Scott or Crown coach Sam. It's good that you keep commentin on Cambodian football, so everyone may know what should we start and develop.

Hero

Andy Brouwer said...

It seems I have touched a raw nerve or two amongst the coaching staff of the national team. Not only did the assistant coach, Meas Channa, fire a broadside within an hour of yesterday's game finishing, but the national goalkeeping coach, who comes from Svay Rieng, In Sokha, called me a dog and to go and fuck my mother on facebook this morning. They really don't like anyone who has a differing opinion, do they? Professionalism...nah, never heard of it.

Anonymous said...

I feel sorry for you mr Andy Brouwer. It's obviously something that they are never used to, being critisided.

Anonymous said...

Andy,My opinion is the should say like that to you.It shows they are not professional.If they are real pro- they should shut up and quit for other.
Andy,I have been watching our national football for nearly 15 years.Everything is still the same.Just this year The team tactics is better and playing plans is also good.
Now,we need only fitness.
The FFC should look after the players more betyer than this if they want have better result.U see They can only run for only 45mn then they are tired.
Thank you for your blog.
U help us a lot.Cos It's difficult to find Cambodia football news.

Anonymous said...

The Bangkok Post today says: "Cambodia secured probably their best ever result in football on Monday - a scoreless draw against Thailand in their final Group B game in Yangon".
Further, Thai coach Kiatisat Senamuang said: "I am not disappointed. My second-string side tried hard but the Cambodians played well defensively".
While, Cambodia coach Lee Tae Hoon said: "We are very happy with our first point of this SEA Games".
So it sounds all is well with Cambodian football. No its not. This was another disastrous campaign under poor leadership and the big question "Where were the 4 missing players and manager?" still remains unanswered.

Andy Brouwer said...

I was surprised at the Bangkok Post's choice of words as well...best ever result...who are they kidding. Trying to put their own gloss/spin on a poor result by their second-string U23 team.
Of course there are so many things I can list as to what is wrong with Cambodian football and that is the task facing all of us, as to how can we improve the situation. I am not in any position to do something meaningful, so all I can do is highlight what I think we can do, but its up to the people in charge to make something happen. At the moment we are in the doldrums and I don't see any way out.
Do you really expect the FFC to make any statements regarding the missing players/mgr? Don't hold your breath. More likely they will keep mum and hope it all blows over.