Kingdom of football

In training

2012-02-10T14:34:00.012+07:00

The AFC A license coaching course has come to Phnom Penh. With 26 participants and overseen by an AFC instructor alongwith Naga coach Prak Sovannara, the course will last from today until 7 March at Cheng Meng. And it's pretty intensive according to Phnom Penh Crown coach David Booth, who successfully completed the same course in November in Manila. For him it was a 27-day straight through course and with just 4 successful passes out of 18 participants, the bar is raised high. So the coaches taking the current course will have their work cut out to pass. The participants include goalkeeping coach Prak Sovanny and player Hok Sochivorn from Phnom Penh Crown, Sochivorn's brother Hok Sochetra, a smattering of coaches from C-League teams including the Army, Police, Boeung Ket and BBU, Meas Channa, the Cambodian national team number 2, as well as Sam Schweingruber of the SALT Academy in Battambang.

A little bird has told me that some good news is imminent regarding the absence of one of Phnom Penh Crown's best players, sidelined through a ban that simply should've never been implemented. Too late to help Crown in their bid for the Hun Sen Cup but at least sense has prevailed at last, if the little bird is to be believed. I won't believe it until I see it typed up and signed by every member of the FFC executive committee.

The Hun Sen Cup semi-finals were held at Olympic today. I didn't go, as I had to work. Having the semi-finals of the country's top cup competition in the middle of the afternoon on a Friday stinks. In fact this whole competition stinks. The FFC have completely lost the plot in condensing it into a matter of days. For the record, the two obvious teams won through to Sunday's final, namely Preah Khan and Naga Corp. PKR beat National Police with that man Laboravy getting two more goals to add to his growing tally. In the other semi, Naga, with Chhim Sambo netting twice, overcame Chhlam Smuth 4-0 as well. Just to make you laugh out loud, the 3rd place play-off is tomorrow, so the Police and Chhlam Samuth have to play again, 24 hours after their hard-fought semis. The FFC really are taking the piss.

Cup surprises

2012-02-09T09:36:00.006+07:00

National Police are through to the cup semi-finals

The results from the other Hun Sen Cup quarter-finals, following on from Preah Khan Reach's 4-0 win over Crown, saw National Police spring a surprise in beating BBU 2-1, with two late goals. I'm pretty sure Police will now meet PKR in the semis, unless the federation have changed the draw, which is very likely. At the Olympic Stadium, Naga Corp needed a Teab Vathanak goal four minutes from the end to defeat Kirivong. And another shock lay in store in the last quarter-final with a defeat of the Army by Chhlam Samuth, on penalties, 1-1 after extra time then 6-5 on spot-kicks. That's a bit of poetic justice for the military boys who have stuck their oar in to deny Crown and Boeung Ket from fielding their strongest teams in this competition. The semi-final pairings look set to offer up a Naga v PKR cup final this coming Sunday, if everyone reads the script carefully. The semis are on Friday (tomorrow).

No excuses

2012-02-08T23:30:00.000+07:00

"Okay lads let's get changed before the spectators arrive"

A final look at Phnom Penh Crown's Hun Sen Cup adventures for 2012. They were knocked out at the Quarter-Final stage again, by a well-drilled reigning cup holders Preah Khan Reach 4-0 this afternoon. No excuses, beaten by a better team on the day. It's a competition Crown have under-performed in for the last two years after winning the cup in 2008 and 2009. The match was played at the the appalling Army Stadium, where the teams were forced to change on the steps of the grandstand, for what is supposed to be a professional football competition. It makes me wince every time we play a match there. The pitch was as piss-poor as usual, with a bone-hard, uneven surface, a bounce that defies the law of gravity and large sections missing even a hint of grass. The federation need to have their heads examined if they think this ground is good enough to host the country's version of the FA Cup.

Coach David Booth has a captive audience

Discussing the role of the midfield trio

Kouch Sokumpheak leads out the Crown team

"Play it tight for the first 15 minutes" - an instruction that went unheeded

Referee Neang Sorithya in mid-toss with the captains looking on

Preah Khan Reach, 4-0 winners on the day

Tough lessons to learn

2012-02-08T22:34:00.001+07:00

PPCFC v Preah Khan: Back Row LtoR: S Pheng, Seyha, Tiny, Chamrouen, H Pheng, Sovanna. Front: Sothy, Sovan, Suhana, Makara, Sokumpheak

If you hand a team like Preah Khan Reach guilt-edged opportunities as early as the first minute of a cup tie, then you know you are in for a tough task. And so it proved for Phnom Penh Crown in today's Hun Sen Cup Quarter-Final. With coach David Booth admitting beforehand that the match was a "tough game for my team, but it will show where we are at this moment," whilst a "keep it tight for the first fifteen minutes" was his advice to his starting line-up, his new-look charges gifted their old foes a goal in the first minute. Tim Saray's hopeful center found Khuon Laboravy in all kinds of space at the far post and without a marker in sight, he made no mistake from fifteen yards out. It was a punch in the kidneys for Booth and his boys, and easy pickings for the cup's top scorer. But two minutes later it could've all been so different. Tieng Tiny's free-kick from 25 yards out found the head of the diving Kouch Sokumpheak but his firm header cleared the crossbar by inches and the chance to level was lost. Two excellent reaction saves by Crown stopper Sam Chamrouen, first from Sok Rithy's close range volley and then from Laboravy, after he'd outpaced Leng Makara, earned the admiration of his teammates. But it was to no avail as another schoolboy howler gifted PKR their second goal on 19 minutes. Chhun Sovanna tried to play his way out of a tight spot, was robbed of the ball leaving Laboravy with a sprint into the box and a low center that was easily converted by Phany Rotha at the far post. As if that wasn't bad enough, eight minutes later, Sok Sovan repeated his teammates' faux pas, losing the ball to Sok Chanraksmey and he rolled the ball across the face of goal to give Laboravy the easiest of tap-ins. Crown had given themselves a veritable mountain to climb.

Kouch Sokumpheak was wayward with a couple of half chances as the interval approached and Hong Pheng was equally wasteful on the stroke of half-time. Crown did their best to get back into the tie after the break but found the bumpy pitch, and their opponents, hard to dominate. Hong Pheng leaned back and fired wildly over, whilst Sok Pheng blasted the ball into the side netting after Sokumpheak fed him in the box. PKR keeper Sar Sophea flapped at an Ouk Sothy free-kick, but recovered to tip Hong Pheng's rebound header an inch past the far post. Sokumpheak and Sok Pheng had further attempts, the latter's 30-yard grubber was held by Sophea diving to his right, but with eight minutes remaining, Sok Pheng lost his cool, was booked for dissent, and ordered off for his second caution of the game. That mountain just got considerably tougher for Crown. Chamrouen again showed his quick reactions with a stunning double save from Chea Samnang as PKR used their numerical advantage well, but also saw red with a minute of the tie to go. Prak Mony Udom sprang through Crown's backline and the goalkeeper touched his foot, sending the striker sprawling. Referee Neang Sorithya brandished the red card despite Chamrouen's protestations, leaving Udom to fire the penalty past substitute keeper Am Oudom a minute into time added on. It was the final nail in a weighty coffin for Crown to bear.

David Booth's succinct, "Three mistakes, three goals. It's as simple as that," summed up his team's first-half ineptitude and signalled the groundwork that the English coach will have to focus on before the start of the league season in a couple of months. His team is young and inexperienced, even compared to PKR's youthful line-up, and today it was clear for all to see. The loss of Khim Borey to the football federation's appalling shenanigans was a real blow to Crown's confidence before the game, but individual errors in key areas of the pitch are going to be punished by a team of PKR's calibre. Those are some of the lessons that must be learned by Booth's youngsters.
PPCFC line-up: Chamrouen, Makara, Seyha, Tiny, Sovan, Sovanna, Sothy, Suhana, Sok Pheng, Hong Pheng (Oudom 91), Sokumpheak. Subs not used: Ary, Dara, Da, Vanthan, Lika, Kimhor, Srin, Sophanal, Sochivorn. Bookings: Sovan, S Pheng (+ red card 82), Chamrouen (straight red card 89).

Kouch Sokumpheak focusing on the game ahead. Khuon Laboravy (11) also in shot.

The teams introduce themselves to each other

Out on their ear

2012-02-08T17:45:00.005+07:00

Final words from the coach before Crown step over the line

Phnom Penh Crown were dumped unceremoniously out of the Hun Sen Cup this afternoon, by a clinical and workmanlike performance from old foes Preah Khan Reach. Three schoolboy howlers by Crown in the first-half left them with a mountain to climb and the final minute 4th was just another kick in the teeth that left Crown battered and bleeding with a 4-0 deficit. It wasn't a pretty sight, as Crown exited the cup competition at the quarter-final stage for the 2nd year running. It's certainly a wake-up call for the new-look team, who found themselves up against well-drilled opponents, who didn't take any prisoners, as they look set to hold onto the cup they won last term. As he left the pitch, Crown coach David Booth said; "Three mistakes, three goals. It's as simple as that." It was Booth's first defeat against domestic opposition since his arrival eight months ago. More from the match later.

Cup draws

2012-02-07T15:02:00.003+07:00

The final matches of Group C and D in the Hun Sen Cup were played yesterday and the quarter-finals, to be played tomorrow, were decided. Preah Khan Reach fielded a young team and thumped Stung Treng at Olympic Stadium 13-1. Khuon Laboravy stood on the goal-line and netted 11 goals (7 of them in the 1st half) to take his competition tally to 17. He won the Golden Boot last season with 22 goals. They now meet Phnom Penh Crown in the 1.45pm kick-off at Army Stadium tomorrow. BBU thrashed Koh Kong 8-2 but shared the goals around the team. As the 2nd team in Group C, they meet the winners of Group D, National Police at 4pm tomorrow. The Police went to town on luckless Kratie, winning 22-0 with 7 goals apiece from Srey Udom and Man Ritavann amongst that tally. The Police's goal difference was 23 compared to Crown's 17, after the latter beat Boeung Ket 1-0, courtesy of a Kouch Sokumpheak goal. The other QF's will involve Naga, who walked over Battambang 10-0 with Teab Vathanak netting 7 goals, who meet Kirivong, while the Army face off against Chhlam Samuth, both games at the Olympic Stadium.

The draw for the pointless Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei for U-21 teams + overage players has been made. The tournament dates have been extended to get all the games in and Cambodia will kick off the tournament against Vietnam on 24 Feb in Group B. There's nothing like getting a good thumping in your 1st game, though Vietnam might give Cambodia a chance by fielding their youth team. Cambodia then face the following matches: 26 Feb versus Malaysia; 2 Mar v Timor Leste; 4 Mar v Thailand. The final will take place on 9 Mar. Don't expect Cambodia to get anywhere near it.

Hip-hop Crown

2012-02-07T13:52:00.006+07:00

Amazing what you come across when you while away a few minutes on YouTube. Uploaded a few days ago was a video-song titled Phnom Penh Crown Theme Song mp4 (their title, not mine), which turns out to be a hip-hop rap version by persons unknown (at this stage). Certainly not the usual football song you hear but hip-hop rap is popular amongst the youth in Cambodia, so I suppose it works for some. When I find out who is responsible for it, I'll let you know. Just a pity they used an out of date poster for the video. You can hear it for yourself here.

Would you Adam & Eve it (believe it)...this hip-hop rap was commissioned by the club without my knowledge, so it's our official Theme Song. The artist is one of the hundreds of DJs plying their trade in Cambodia, but I'm told he's one of the best. His name is DJ Kdeb. He's worked with my fave Meas Soksophea, so he can't be that bad. In fact we should've asked Sophea to do our song, that would've worked well for me. I must admit I'm not a fan of hip-hop rap. The whole genre has literally passed me by.

Leading from the front

2012-02-06T22:25:00.013+07:00

PPCC v Boeung Ket. Back Row LtoR: Tiny, Sothy, H Pheng, Chamrouen, Socanna, Sovan. Front: S Pheng, Seyha, Makara, Suhaha, Sokumpheak

Group D of the Hun Sen Cup was decided by this afternoon's matches at the Army Stadium. Phnom Penh Crown defeated Boeung Ket 1-0 to knock the Kompong Cham-based team out and then National Police ran riot against a demoralised Kratie team, winning 22-0 and claiming top spot in the group at the same time. It means that Crown now face Preah Khan Reach in a mouth-watering quarter-final on Wednesday, same venue, at 1.45pm, whilst Police meet BBU a little later.

For Crown, the talismanic Kouch Sokumpheak, given the captain's armband by coach David Booth for today's game, led by example and scored the only goal of the match to win the tie. And it was a goal worthy of winning any match as the striker began the move from deep and finished it with a blistering drive from a tight angle that gave the Boeung Ket keeper no chance. More of that later. Needing a victory to qualify themselves, Boeung Ket began like a train and their former Crown starlet, Keo Sokngorn twice came closest to scoring. On six minutes he flashed a header inches too high and then struck the cross-bar with a long distance speculative free-kick four minutes later, that Sam Chamrouen in the Crown goal, mysteriously left. Fifteen minutes in and Crown's first real effort saw Sok Pheng's twenty yard shot deflected wide. Soon after, Sokumpheak fed Pheng and his shot on the turn was parried out by opposition goalkeeper Sin Pisal, with no-one following up. Ouk Sothy was next to try his luck for Crown but Lor Pichseyla blocked the attempt. The last action of the first-half saw Sok Pheng again test Pisal with a stinging drive but to no avail as the keeper blocked it low down.

After the interval, Crown maintained their grip on possession and Sokumpheak was off target with a glancing header from a Hong Pheng cross twelve minutes in. The Crown captain then began and ended a quick-passing move with Sos Suhana by unleashing a powerful drive across the face of Sin Pisal and into the Boeung Ket net on 68 minutes. It was his 11th goal of the competition and an unstoppable effort that livened up the tense game considerably. Boeung Ket's best chance of an equaliser fell again to Sokngorn on 73 minutes. Yob Romaton set him up with a chested ball down but the Boeung Ket skipper's flashing drive sailed over the crossbar from the edge of the area and their fate was effectively sealed. After his 12 goals two days before, Sokngorn's shooting boots were definitely not in good working order. The game petered out into a scrappy finale with too many free-kicks, injuries, bookings and then a straight red card in injury time when Touch Pancharong left his foot in on Crown's Chhun Sovanna as he made a clearance. It's a characteristic of Pancharong's game that he regularly lets himself, and his team down. He had a dust up with Phoung Narong last season and now with Sovanna, all three of them were colleagues at Crown in the past.

Winning coach David Booth mused on the tie: "I thought we worked hard throughout the team today. They started well, passed the ball well for 15 minutes but then we got into the game and controlled it for the rest of the match. Our defending was good, the midfield did well, in fact the whole team did well today. I started with Makara at full-back in Dara's absence. He's usually a striker but I've seen him in training, how hard he works and runs and I knew he could play there, and he did. We must remember that we had only 2 players playing - Sokumpheak and Tiny - who were regulars last season. We have a lot of boys who are not experienced at this level. So we've not done too bad with this team so far." When asked about the situation with Khim Borey, still suspended by the federation and kicking his heels in the stands this afternoon, Booth said: "I don't have any faith in the federation resolving this issue. It's been going on for far too long already. I don't know what the Army are trying to prove by stopping him from playing football. It's a real shame what the Army are doing to the boy."

PPCFC line-up: Chamrouen, Makara (Sophanal 82), Seyha, Tiny, Sovan, Sovanna, Sothy, Suhana, Sok Pheng, Hong Pheng (Sochivorn 78), Sokumpheak. Subs not used: Ary, Oudom, Da, Vanthan, Lika, Kimhor, Srin. Bookings: Seyha, Makara, Sothy. Referee: Khuon Virak.

Kouch Sokumpheak shakes hands with Keo Sokngorn of Boeung Ket

A final team huddle before the kick-off

The Crown bench before the start

Kouch Sokumpheak leads out the Crown team this afternoon

Sokumpheak stretches in the tunnel before the start

Kouch Sokumpheak, stretches before the game

Leng Makara, facing camera, gets ready for his full Crown debut, at full-back

Captain Fanastic Seals It

2012-02-06T16:21:00.006+07:00

Captain for the day, Kouch Sokumpheak (10) in the tunnel before today's game

Phnom Penh Crown did a professional job on newcomers Boeung Ket Rubber Field at the Army Stadium this afternoon, winning 1-0 to book their passage to the next round of the Hun Sen Cup. There's something about the armband with Crown this week, as Kouch Sokumpheak, today's recipient, hit a scorching drive on 68 minutes to settle the tie in Crown's favour. Leading by example, as he usually does, he led the line and moved back into midfield to shore it up as his teammates were falling by the wayside. Crown began sluggishly but controlled the game after the twenty minute mark and never really looked like conceding to the Kompong Cham-based team, who are newboys in the C-League this year. More from the game later.

Crown net nine

2012-02-05T16:20:00.020+07:00

The 2nd half Academy line-up v CCOLT. Back Row LtoR: Titchhy, Sodavid, Piphop, Chanpolin. Front: Ponvuthy, Chhaya, Muslim, Phearath, Chanchav.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy youngsters, already top of the table in the Barclays Capital ISF Champions League, cemented their position with a 9-0 victory over CCOLT (Cambodian Children Orphanage for Living and Training) this morning. CCOLT proved tough nuts to crack initially with their goalkeeper in outstanding form and it took an own goal to dent their confidence. Fine individual goals from In Sodavid and Mat Sakrovy increased Crown's lead at the interval to 3-0. As often happens in their matches, the Academy's unrelenting pass and move style as well as their superior fitness took a heavy toll on their opponents. Orn Chanpolin started the goal-rush and headed a second soon after, with Pon Ponvuthy, Sraing Titchhy (penalty), Yeu Muslim and Theang Chhaya also adding to CCOLT's woes in the 2nd half. The Champions League team have now won all six of their matches, netting 62 goals and conceding none. The 'B' team, made up of a mix of Academy and non-Academy boys also enjoyed a goal feast, beating the deaf team from Krousar Thmey 13-0, with Ly Heng netting five. Matches were taking place all day today, as they do every Sunday, at Crown's Tuol Kork headquarters, where a disabled toilet was under construction to help with the increased disabled involvement in the ISF competition this year. ISF supporters Tim Lacey and Dubai Larrikins have helped with the funding.

Sraing Titchhy makes no mistake from the penalty spot

Yeu Muslim is felled in the box for a penalty

Yeu Muslim sprints clear of the last defender

Listening intently to their coach

Ken Chansopheak breaking into the penalty area

In Sodavid in a midfield tussle

The 1st half Academy team v CCOLT. Back Row LtoR: Baraing, Sodavid, Titchhy, Sovann, Sakrovy. Front: Noeut, Chansopheak, Rozak, Samnang.

Skipper In Sodavid (23) paying attention to the match officials

The Crown 'B' team before their 13-0 win today

Mat Sakrovy before the kick-off

Focusing on the pre-match instructions; Sovann, Sodavid and Rozak

Coach Bouy Dary with his Academy boys

Tiny to the rescue

2012-02-04T23:03:00.004+07:00

PPCFC v National Police. Back Row LtoR: Dara, H Pheng, Chamrouen, Seyha, S Pheng, Tiny. Front: Suhana, Sothy, Sovan, Sovanna, Sokumpheak

The absence of Khim Borey from the Phnom Penh Crown starting line-up meant a last-minute change to coach David Booth's gameplan and it showed as Crown began their Hun Sen Cup Group D match against National Police in sluggish mode at the Olympic Stadium. The first action of note took place in the 13th minute when Crown's new keeper Sam Chamrouen flapped at a cross and a few minutes later, came out to challenge Srey Udom, who went down as if he'd been shot, with referee Chuob Visal having none of it. Crown were looking a pale shadow of the team that walloped Kratie 16-0 two days earlier but should've taken the lead on 27 minutes. A disguised free-kick set up Ouk Sothy in space, ten yards out, but his shot cleared the crossbar and the chance was gone. Another free-kick gave Sok Pheng time and space to send a 25-yard drive goalwards, only for Police stopper Thong Chanraksmey to push it around the foot of his post. Hong Pheng went close on his Crown starting debut with a backward header on 36 minutes, which Chanraksmey did well to fingertip past the post as he backpedalled. Crown had the better of the first half but were still waiting to click into top gear.

The Police began the second half with more purpose and Crown keeper Chamrouen had to be alert to catch Noun Borey's downward header. Police looked to the linesman when Srey Udom's close range header was ruled offside, but it was the correct decision, though they were much happier on 58 minutes when Tith Dina's first-time strike from 30 yards out fizzed past Chamrouen and nestled inside the net. The ball fell kindly to Dina and his hit 'n' hope dipper caught Chamrouen by surprise. Crown's day went from bad to worse on 69 minutes when Chan Dara was dismissed for a deliberate trip as Ngoun Chansothea broke through the defensive back-line. Dara was caught for pace and his ankle-tap as Chansothea looked to enter the box was cynical, leaving referee Visal no option but to produce a straight red card. Dina launched the free-kick miles over the bar. A couple of minutes later and Crown skipper Tieng Tiny registered his intentions when his 40 yard punt into the penalty area was fumbled over his head by Chanraksmey, whose blushes were saved when Say Piseth hooked the ball off the goal-line.

Chanraksmey stood firm to punch away another Tiny goal-bound effort soon after and then acrobatically denied Kouch Sokumpheak, when the Crown striker whipped in a shot on the turn that had goal written all over it. Sokumpheak held his head in his hands. A minute later, Crown coach Booth sent on the experienced campaigner Hok Sochivorn as skipper Tiny prepared to take a free-kick. He curled in the dead ball from 35 yards out, from the left-side touchline, which Chanraksmey saw coming but took his eye off the flight as Sochivorn challenged and the ball ended up in the net. Tiny claimed the goal, Sochivorn concurred and Crown had come back from the dead to share the spoils with his match-saving equalizer arriving on 86 minutes. Five minutes of injury time produced a Sok Pheng hit and hope that sailed harmlessly wide and the match ended all-square. Crown will meet newcomers Boeung Ket Rubber Field on Monday 6 Feb (2pm at Army Stadium) and need a point to progress to the knock-out stage of the Hun Sen Cup. Boeung Ket demolished the hapless Kratie 17-1 in the 2nd game of the day, with Keo Sokngorn netting no less than 12 times, as his teammates lined-up to lay his chances on a plate in an obvious attempt to earn him the Golden Boot award.
PPCFC line-up: Chamrouen, Dara, Seyha, Tiny, Sovan, Sovanna (Sochivorn 85), Sothy, Suhana, Sok Pheng, Hong Pheng (Makara 61), Sokumpheak. Subs not used: Ary, Oudom, Da, Vanthan, Lika, Kimhor, Sophanal, Srin, Borey. Bookings: Suhana, Tiny, Dara (red card). Referee: Chuob Visal.

Tieng Tiny and Srey Udom are the opposing captains

Tieng Tiny leads out the Crown starting line-up

David Booth giving his team last-minute instructions in the changing rooms

The National Police starting line-up

Hong Pheng, moments after he's told he's making his starting debut

Crown scrape a point

2012-02-04T19:17:00.003+07:00

There's no hiding behind the fact that Phnom Penh Crown were woefully under the level of performance demanded by their coach David Booth today. And he left them in no doubt about that after the final whistle. A freak goal four minutes shy of the ninety from skipper Tieng Tiny's 35-yard free-kick out on the left-side touchline, levelled the tie at 1-1 but it was touch and go and Crown can count themselves a mite fortunate. National Police offered only mediocre resistance and led through a hit 'n' hope from Tith Dina 13 minutes after the interval but it was Crown's inability to keep the ball and string their passes together, as well as losing full-back Chan Dara to a straight red card with twenty minutes remaining, that will need remedying before Monday's final Hun Sen Cup Group D decider with Boeung Ket.

The main talking point before, during and after the match however, was the Cambodian football federation's refusal to allow Khim Borey to take his place in the Crown starting line-up. It's believed the Army team wrote to the FFC demanding that Borey and Boeung Ket's Sin Dalin, both former Army players, should not be allowed to play, and the FFC fell into line with their command. Borey's name was scrubbed from the start list. The Army did exactly the same in last season's Hun Sen Cup and Borey was left kicking his heels then as he was today. Crown appealed the decision thirty minutes before the start of the game and Borey was allowed to be named as one of the substitute's, which in itself makes a mockery of the FFC's decision. It left the Crown line-up depleted and the team's game-plan with last minute changes.
More from today's match later.

Hun Sen Cup action

2012-02-03T20:09:00.006+07:00

The National Police team prior to their 1-0 win over Boeung Ket

So what's been happening in the early games in the Hun Sen Cup you ask? Well, after Phnom Penh Crown whacked 16 goals past Kratie without reply (with Kouch Sokumpheak grabbing a personal haul of 10 goals), the other two teams in Group D, National Police and Boeung Ket Rubber Field were better matched and it took a penalty from Srey Udom four minutes from the end to separate the two teams. Crown now take on the Police tomorrow at the Olympic Stadium at 2pm, followed by Boeung Ket against Kratie. Police have added speedy winger Nov Soseila to their line-up this season after the former Army man has spent nearly two years kicking his heels due to shenanigans by the military outfit. It's great to see him back in action. In Group C, Preah Khan Reach kicked off with a comprehensive 8-1 win over Koh Kong and Khuon Laboravy was amongst the goals again with half a dozen. He was last season's cup Golden Boot winner with 22 goals. BBU put Stung Treng to the sword, winning 9-2 and Chhun Sothearath netted a hat-trick. Over in Group B, the teams have both played twice. Army looked easy 5-0 winners over Asia Euro University but then stumbled to a 1-1 draw with Kirivong this afternoon. Kirivong edged past Kampot 3-2 in their first game, while AEU put six past Kampot without reply. Finally to Group A, where Teab Vathanak was on song for Naga with 5 goals in their 9-0 thrashing of Pailin. Then Naga faltered and conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 with Chhlam Samuth earlier today. Chhlam Samuth beat Battambang 5-2 in their first match, though the 2nd city team beat neighbours Pailin 1-0 today. Tomorrow's matches will give us a better view of how the teams are poised in Groups C and D, ahead of the final group matches on Sunday and Monday. The games are coming thick and fast.

Hok Sochivorn

2012-02-03T14:53:00.004+07:00

Last but not least, the most experienced player in the Phnom Penh Crown squad is Hok Sochivorn. He's seen service with quite a few clubs and was a regular for the Cambodian national team for eight years. He joined Crown at the start of last season after coaching the Stung Treng team in the Hun Sen Cup.

Name: Hok Sochivorn
Position: Forward, Central Defender
Squad Number: 24
Date of birth: 23 Sept 1983
Place of birth: Sangkat Lek, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.82m
Weight: 72kg
Joined PPCFC: February 2011
Previous clubs: Royal Navy, Hello United, Naga Corp, Preah Khan Reach, Phuchung Neak, Post Tel, Kirivong, Stung Treng, Cambodia Seniors.

Tieng Tiny

2012-02-03T14:23:00.002+07:00

Regarded as one of his country's best defenders for the last few years, Tieng Tiny has been a regular for the Cambodia national team since his international debut in 2006. He joined Crown in 2008 after a season with Naga Corp, having previously signed on with Khemara and Phnom Penh Empire.

Name: Tieng Tiny
Position: Central Defender
Squad Number: 4
Date of birth: 9 June 1986
Place of birth: Boeung Daun Pa, Siem Reap
Height: 1.78m
Weight: 71kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2008
Previous clubs: Siem Reap province, Khemara Keila, Phnom Penh Empire, Naga Corp, Cambodia U-23 & Seniors.

Sok Sovan

2012-02-03T14:13:00.004+07:00

Despite playing only a handful of matches for Phnom Penh Crown last season, Sok Sovan's rise to prominence has been meteoric. He played every minute of the SEA Games matches for the Cambodian U-23 team recently, establishing himself as a central defender for the future. Whilst with Crown, he's been loaned out twice to National Police and Neak Khiev to gain more experience.

Name: Sok Sovan
Position: Central Defender
Squad Number: 6
Date of birth: 5 April 1992
Place of birth: O'Russei 2, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 70kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2007
Previous clubs: Khmer Empire, Phnom Penh Empire, National Police, Neak Khiev, Cambodia U-14, U-16, U-19, U-21 & U-23s.

Hong Pheng

2012-02-03T14:06:00.003+07:00

One of the players looking to make the breakthrough and gain a regular place this season is exciting striker Hong Pheng. Signed after impressing in the Hun Sen Cup for Siem Reap's Baksey Chamkrong at the start of last season, his opportunities were limited last season for this Battambang native.

Name: Hong Pheng
Position: Forward
Squad Number: 25
Date of birth: 1 Nov 1989
Place of birth: Wat Leap, Battambang
Height: 1.73m
Weight: 65kg
Joined PPCFC: February 2011
Previous clubs: Battambang province, Baksey Chamkrong

Chan Dara

2012-02-03T14:00:00.002+07:00

Experienced defender Chan Dara was given the captain's armband for Phnom Penh Crown's first game of the season against Kratie yesterday. Another player who spent time with Khemara Keila before joining Crown in November 2009.

Name: Chan Dara
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 2
Date of birth: 1 March 1986
Place of birth: Kompong Svay, Banteay Meanchey
Height: 1.76m
Weight: 65kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2009
Previous clubs: Banteay Meanchey province, Khemara Keila, Cambodia U-23 & Seniors.

Sok Pheng

2012-02-03T13:50:00.003+07:00

One player who has enjoyed a new lease of life under head coach David Booth at Phnom Penh Crown is striker Sok Pheng. With previous experience at other clubs, he joined Crown in November 2010 and has now forced his way into the reckoning of the Cambodian national team.

Name: Sok Pheng
Position: Forward
Squad Number: 19
Date of birth: 2 Oct 1990
Place of birth: Koki, Kien Svay, Kandal
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 74kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2010
Previous clubs: Navy, National Defense Ministry, Khemara Keila, Cambodia U-15 & U-23s

A window on today's game

2012-02-02T21:57:00.015+07:00

Chan Dara donned the captain's armband for Crown this afternoon

More pictures from this afternoon's Hun Sen Cup encounter between Phnom Penh Crown and Kratie. It didn't look promising when the boys from the Mekong River town only appeared with 13 players and two of them were goalkeepers. They were already 9-nil down when their skipper was sent off for a second bookable offence, which was a bit harsh I must say. The pitch was as much a nightmare as it was last season and is simply not conducive to playing attractive football. The players simply don't know what the ball is going to do next. On a good surface, the scoreline could've looked even more embarrassing, so in that respect, it worked in Kratie's favour. Crown tried to play their passing game, which went as well as possible on such a crap playing surface, but the uneven bounce and bobble made it hard work. The lack of changing rooms, leaving the players to get changed in the stand and the playing surface simply shows up what an unsuitable venue the Army Stadium is for any competition, let alone Cambodia's FA Cup. The decision by the football federation to squeeze all the matches into twelve days beggars belief.

Half-time team talk by the coach

The 'bench' moments before the start of the game, including 7 team officials

Kratie, with holes already showing in their team line-up

Chan Dara leads out the Crown team in red and black

David Booth talks tactics with his 3-player strikeforce

David Booth doing the rounds before kick-off

Khim Borey in sprinting mode

David Booth speaks to Sok Sovan, whilst the others enjoy a joke

These are the Army Stadium changing rooms - a sorry state of affairs

Bayon TV's view of the press conference earlier this week

Khim Borey on Bayon TV earlier this week

Goal by goal, all 16 of them

2012-02-02T20:12:00.012+07:00

PPCFC v Kratie: Back Row LtoR: Sam Chamrouen, Ouk Sothy, Tieng Tiny, Sok Sovan, Chan Dara, Khim Borey. Front: Sok Pheng, Men Seyha, Sos Suhana, Kouch Sokumpheak, Chhun Sovanna

He wears the number 10 jersey, so presumably Kouch Sokumpheak felt he had to live up to his number in this afternoon's Hun Sen Cup tie against Kratie. Three goals in the 1st half and then another seven after the interval by one individual is pretty good going in anyone's book. Phnom Penh Crown coach David Booth said after the game; "I left him on the pitch as he got married, had some time off, so for his own benefit, fitness-wise, I felt he should stay on the pitch." That decision certainly paid rich dividends as Sokumpheak led Crown to a massive 16-0 victory in the first of their three Group D matches. Booth gave six players their Hun Sen Cup debuts including Khim Borey, who was barred from last year's competition. In the 2nd minute, their new giant of a keeper, Sam Chamrouen nervously fumbled a cross and Kratie poked their only chance of the game wide of the post. They simply weren't in it after that. With Crown playing a quick passing game, despite the grass and mud surface that made such football a tough proposition in the conditions, Kratie were chasing shadows for the rest of the game. Ouk Sothy and Chhun Sovanna were particularly noticeable in the middle of the park for Crown, playing neat interchanges before releasing their three-pronged strikeforce, though the Crown forwards did their fair share of winning the ball and setting themselves on a course for their opponents goal. You won't be surprised to hear Crown missed a hatful of chances in the game. The most glaring misses befell Sok Pheng and Ouk Sothy in the first half, and Hong Pheng in the 2nd, though Sokumpheak himself had another half a dozen chances which were blocked by the Kratie goalkeeper, Mean Kiara. The visitors were reduced to ten men just after the hour when their skipper, Pha Kolboth picked up a 2nd yellow and saw red. It certainly wasn't that type of game to warrant a booking, let alone a dismissal.

Here are the goals:
1st half: 15 mins - Chan Dara short pass to Sokumpheak who left a defender on his arse and slid the ball through to Sok Pheng on the right side of the area. Pheng rounded the keeper and slotted in from a tight angle.
25 mins - Khim Borey slipped a pass inside the full-back and Sokumpheak waited for his moment before lashing his shot inside the near post.
28 mins - Ouk Sothy broke forward, fed Khim Borey, who cut inside and whacked in a 20-yard drive that sailed into the top corner.
31 mins - Chhun Sovanna won a tackle, left another defender in his wake and finished coolly with a neat sidefoot shot.
40 mins - Sos Suhana fed Sokumpheak wide on the left, he nipped past the last defender, opened up his body and rolled the ball across the keeper and in at the far post.
44 mins - Tieng Tiny's headed cross was headed goalwards by Borey, but was saved and Sokumpheak's rebound shot hit a hand and nestled in the net. The referee gave a penalty for the handball offence. Sokumpheak sent his penalty high into the roof of the net. 6-0 and three for No 10.

2nd half: 56 mins - Borey linked up again with Sokumpheak, and the goal-machine took his time and picked his spot from fifteen yards out.
57 mins - Sokumpheak broke into the penalty area and onto Sok Pheng's pass, only for the keeper, Mean Kiara to trip him. Sokumpheak got up, dusted himself down and sent the penalty kick into the top corner.
60 mins - Suhana fed Sokumpheak on the right, he rounded the keeper and fired his shot straight and true from a very acute angle.
65 mins - Chan Dara and Hong Pheng combined on the right wing, Pheng sent in a hard and low cross and Leng Makara, just on 4 mins earlier, tapped into an empty net.
68 mins - Hong Pheng's byeline cross was volleyed in by Sokumpheak at close range.
77 mins - Makara's left-wing cross to the far post was chested down by Sokumpheak and he calmly rolled in his 8th goal.
78 mins - Sothy's pass put Sokumpheak in space, he took his time and drove in his shot from 10 yards out.
84 mins - Men Seyha broke down the left wing, and his byeline cross was tapped in by Sokumpheak from six yards out, for his 10th goal of the game.
87 mins - Sothy's driving run into the box, and his byeline pull-back was powerfully headed in by Leng Makara.
90+1 mins - Sothy robbed the last man and rolled the ball to Makara who fired in the game's 16th goal from a wide angle.

Crown head coach David Booth was pleased with the result. After the match, he commented; "We scored early on, which helped to settle us. Apart from the pitch, I was pleased with our performance, as we kept running, kept passing and kept working hard for each other. We made lots of chances, and we scored lots of goals which always helps to build up confidence,. We had a lot of new players playing today. I want to win every game and its important to find out if the new players can play under pressure. Today we did well. Our midfield gave the ball away a lot early on, but got better as the game wore on. I demanded that we pressed the opposition at the right time and we did it very well, stopping them playing out. I took off Sok Pheng as I want him to be ready for the next game and mistakenly took Borey off as I thought he had a knock. I felt a bit for the opposition, there was no need for the red card and it made it hard for them." Crown now face the stiffer task of National Police on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium at 2pm. Police won a close game with Boeung Ket with a late Srey Udom penalty, 1-0 immediately after the Crown match.
PPCFC line-up: Chamrouen, Dara (capt), Seyha, Tiny (Lika 65), Sovan, Sovanna, Sothy, Suhana, Sok Pheng (Hong Pheng 60), Borey (Makara 61), Sokumpheak. Subs not used: Ary, Oudom, Da, Vanthan, Srin, Kimhor, Sophanal, Sochivorn. Bookings: None. Ref: Saing Sopheak.

Coach David Booth tells Sokumpheak he's expecting another 7 goals in the 2nd half. The striker duly obliged.

Sokumpheak scores from the penalty spot on 57 minutes

Last minute instructions from the coach to his starting eleven

Leng Makara scored a hat-trick on his debut as a substitute for the last 30 minutes

Crown wallop Kratie

2012-02-02T16:27:00.006+07:00

Kouch Sokumpheak moments after completing his 10-goal haul this afternoon

Full match report to follow but the news is that Phnom Penh Crown beat Kratie 16-0 in their first Hun Sen Cup match of the new season in Group D. Kouch Sokumpheak scored 10 of them including two penalties, young sub Leng Makara came on to score a hat-trick in his first appearance, with further goals from Sok Pheng, Khim Borey and Chhun Sovanna. Crown led 6-0 at the interval and did a thoroughly professional job on a crap surface at the Army Stadium. David Booth declared himself pleased with his team; "We scored early on, which helped to settle us. Apart from the pitch, I was pleased with our performance, as we kept running, kept passing and kept working hard for each other. We made lots of chances, and scored lots of goals which always helps to build up confidence. We had a lot of new players playing today. I want to win every game and its important to find out if the new players can play under pressure. Today we did well." More later.

Kouch Sokumpheak

2012-02-02T09:45:00.002+07:00

Kouch Sokumpheak wearing the new Crown jersey

A player who needs little introduction is Kouch Sokumpheak, widely regarded by many as the country's best player. I would agree with that assessment. He joined Phnom Penh Crown before the start of last season after giving sterling service at Khemara Keila for four years. In his school days he helped Hun Sen Balaing high school win the national school championships twice. Sokumpheak made his international debut for Cambodia in 2006 and has been a constant ever since. He's also been the Hun Sen Cup Golden Boot winner on three occasions.

Name: Kouch Sokumpheak
Position: Forward
Squad Number: 10
Date of birth: 15 Feb 1987
Place of birth: Porbakor, Stung Sen, Kompong Thom
Height: 1.68m
Weight: 63kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2010
Previous clubs: Khemara Keila, Cambodia U-21, U-23 & Seniors.

Chhun Sovanna

2012-02-02T01:36:00.005+07:00

The last of the new faces in the Phnom Penh Crown squad isn't actually a new face. Chhun Sovanna was a member of the Phnom Penh Empire team until 2009 when he left the then-named Crown. A midfield play maker, he began to show his talent for the game whilst playing his football at Tuol Svay Prey high school in the city. He's looking to make a fresh start with Crown this season.

Name: Chhun Sovanna
Position: Midfield
Squad Number: 27
Date of birth: 27 April 1992
Place of birth: Tuol Svay Prey, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.69m
Weight: 56kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2011
Previous clubs: Phnom Penh Empire

Ly Kimhor

2012-02-01T21:52:00.004+07:00

Ly Kimhor is still pinching himself that it's true, after impressing David Booth sufficiently enough to be awarded a contract after Phnom Penh Crown held trials in early December. He played football whilst at Udong high school but after moving to Phnom Penh, he hasn't been involved with a club, until impressing at the open trial.

Name: Ly Kimhor
Position: Midfield
Squad Number: 11
Date of birth: 16 Oct 1994
Place of birth: Veang Chas, Udong, Kompong Speu
Height: 1.65m
Weight: 56kg
Joined PPCFC: December 2011
Previous clubs: None

Ngoy Srin

2012-02-01T21:39:00.005+07:00

Coming through the open trials and joining Phnom Penh Crown is a dream scenario for defender Ngoy Srin, who was born in Takeo but has lived in Koh Kong for many years. He represented his provincial team and signed his first contract as a professional player in December.

Name: Ngoy Srin
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 26
Date of birth: 1 Sept 1993
Place of birth: Phnom Runteas, Kirivong, Takeo
Height: 1.73m
Weight: 65kg
Joined PPCFC: December 2011
Previous clubs: Koh Kong province

Soeng Vanthan

2012-02-01T21:24:00.003+07:00

A member of the Phnom Penh Crown squad since November 2008, having previously been involved with both Khmer Empire and Phnom Penh Empire, Soeng Vanthan is determined to make the breakthrough this season. He's represented Cambodia at both U-17 and U-19 levels.

Name: Soeng Vanthan
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 5
Date of birth: 8 Aug 1992
Place of birth: Boeung Trabek, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 65kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2008
Previous clubs: Khmer Empire, Phnom Penh Empire, Cambodia U-17 and U-19s.

Vi Lika

2012-02-01T17:48:00.002+07:00

Vi Lika caught the eye of Phnom Penh Crown coach David Booth during last season's C-League campaign, despite ultimately suffering relegation with Prek Pra Keila. He was one of the first new additions to the Crown squad in the close season and will be challenging for a first-team spot with Tieng Tiny and Sok Sovan, amongst others.

Name: Vi Lika
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 14
Date of birth: 14 April 1990
Place of birth: Rusey Sros, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 64kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2011
Previous clubs: Prek Pra Keila

Maliky Rahan

2012-02-01T17:35:00.003+07:00

Another newcomer to the Phnom Penh Crown ranks is Maliky Rahan, who spent last season with Prek Pra Keila before their relegation from the C-League. A native of Kompong Chhnang, he attended the Hun Sen Kompong Tralach high school and played for the provincial team, as well as Rithysen before joining Prek Pra.

Name: Maliky Rahan
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 28
Date of birth: 6 Mar 1992
Place of birth: Chrork Romeat, Kompong Tralach, Kompong Chhnang
Height: 1.66m
Weight: 55kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2011
Previous clubs: Kompong Chhnang province, Rithysen, Prek Pra Keila

Khim Borey

2012-02-01T15:31:00.003+07:00

One of Cambodia's most outstanding strikers of his generation, Khim Borey is back in the fold and raring to go after a stint in the Thai Premier League with Sisaket for much of last season. He returned to join in the AFC President's Cup final round but has yet to make his Hun Sen Cup or C-League debut for Phnom Penh Crown after signing in November 2010. Takeo-born, he has represented his country with distinction since his debut against Syria in 2007 and netted an international hat-trick against Timor Leste in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup. He was the C-League's Golden Boot winner in 2008.

Name: Khim Borey
Position: Forward
Squad Number: 7
Date of birth: 29 Sept 1989
Place of birth: Kouk Kanhchab, Takeo
Height: 1.71m
Weight: 60kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2010
Previous clubs: Koh Kong province, National Defense Ministry, Sisaket, Cambodia U-19, U-23 & Seniors

Thourng Da

2012-02-01T10:42:00.003+07:00

Joining Phnom Penh Crown this season, after a successful trial in December, is defender Thourng Da, who after attending the Hun Sen Samrong high school, spent time with the National Defense Ministry team without playing a game.

Name: Thourng Da
Position: Defender
Squad Number: 3
Date of birth: 4 February 1994
Place of birth: Pou Mongkul, Ponhea Leu, Kandal
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 60kg
Joined PPCFC: December 2011
Previous clubs: National Defense Ministry

Am Oudom

2012-02-01T08:26:00.005+07:00

Completing the trio of new goalkeepers to join Phnom Penh Crown this season, Am Oudom arrives on the back of a successful stint with Western University, the winners of the Division 1A play-off, and newcomers to the C-League this term. Battambang-born, he played for Pailin province whilst studying in the northwest city at Krong Tep Nimith Hun Sen high school. He was another successful trialist, catching David Booth's eye and signing for Crown in December.

Name: Am Oudom
Position: Goalkeeper
Squad Number: 29
Date of birth: 1 Jan 1990
Place of birth: Prek Sre, Sneng, Battambang
Height: 1.74m
Weight: 67kg
Joined PPCFC: December 2011
Previous clubs: Pailin province, Western University

Doing it the right way

2012-01-31T22:33:00.008+07:00

David Booth comments on his new-look squad

Phnom Penh Crown are the only club to hold a pre-season press conference. One of the reasons is that Crown are determined to adopt a professional outlook to how they approach the sport, another is to generate interest and develop a club identity and partisanship. We need to drag Cambodian football kicking and screaming into the professional era. Whether you like us or not, PPCFC will continue to do things the right way. Today's press conference at the Crown Sports Bar on Street 200 saw eight television stations and numerous printed and online media in attendance. Later in the evening I saw the event as the first item on the Bayon TV sports news, even nosing ahead of the Barclays Premier League. And this is what we want to achieve, promoting our own football, Cambodian football, ahead of the 24-hour, wall-to-wall football that's beamed in from overseas.

At today's press conference, I did a brief introduction, with Vann Piseth translating before handing over to Crown president Rithy Samnang, who spoke about the club's recent track record of success and the desire to increase the Crown branding with a new restaurant opening up in a couple of weeks opposite the Olympic Stadium. The construction of two Futsal pitches at the club's training headquarters is another soon to be completed addition. A new electronic scoreboard at the Olympic Stadium will also carry the Crown name. The president also spoke about the club's achievements in the AFC President's Cup and confirmed that he was keen to host one of the competition's qualifying groups this season, as he did last year. He also thanked and named the club's sponsors.

The club's head coach David Booth then spoke about his playing squad ahead of the new season and answered questions from the media. Amongst his comments were the following: "We have 13 new players, all of them are at a young age and due to circumstances, we have decided to look to the future with a much younger team this year. The Hun Sen Cup will give us the opportunity to check out our new young players and see how they perform. The players from last season did a fantastic job for me and the club, but we have decided to bring in new younger players for the new season, as well as give the reserve players from last season, a chance. It's time to find out if they can play at this level."

He continued: "It's a good time to change things around, to look to the future and if it works, this team can stay together for the next 2-3 years. My senior players are strong in mind and body and they will help the younger ones, who can learn from the senior boys. It's a bit of a gamble, but one we're prepared to take. We want to bring on younger players - Cambodian football needs to do this - but it does mean a lot of responsibility will fall on the shoulders of our senior players. But they are strong enough."

David Booth spoke about his new-look squad: "If you look at the players we have, it's a very strong attacking line-up. We made many chances last season but didn't convert them, this year we feel that the team is even stronger going forwards. We are looking to play exciting, attacking football. We go out to win every game, we don't worry about the opposition, we concentrate on ourselves. In our team, we have some of the best players in Cambodia and if I was the coach of our opponents, I would be worried if Borey, Sokumpheak, Sok Pheng and Suhana were up against my team. We needed to revamp our midfield and we've brought in attack-minded players. Our defenders are young and lack experience, so they'll have to get up to speed quickly, but you can see the potency of our attacking play."

Four of the Crown squad, Kouch Sokumpheak, Khim Borey, Sos Suhana and Am Oudom, all wearing the new playing strip, then answered questions from the media, before the Academy head coach Bouy Dary spoke about the club's plans to increase the international competition for the Academy boys this year, as well as concentrating on a second intake of young hopefuls towards the end of the year.

A look at the top table, though Rithy Samnang appears to momentarily disappeared

A view from behind the top table at today's event. Photos courtesy of Huy Darith.

Sos Suhana

2012-01-31T21:05:00.003+07:00

One of Cambodia's most exciting prospects is attacking midfielder Sos Suhana, who despite suffering relegation with Prek Pra Keila last season, established himself in the Cambodian national team at U-21 and u-23 levels under coach Lee Tae-Hoon. On his return from the SEA Games, he joined Phnom Penh Crown and looks set to continue his progress under David Booth. He made his mark against Crown when he scored a hat-trick in a pre-season friendly before last season began.

Name: Sos Suhana
Position: Midfield
Squad Number: 17
Date of birth: 4 April 1992
Place of birth: Prek Tapov, Prek Pra, Meanchey, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 57kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2011
Previous clubs: Prek Pra Keila, Cambodia U-21, U-23 & Seniors

Leng Makara

2012-01-31T20:53:00.002+07:00

The latest addition to the Phnom Penh Crown attacking options is striker Leng Makara, who was snapped up during the open trials in December and who has already made a big impression on the Crown coaching staff. A native of Koh Kong, he played for Koh Kong high school and the Koh Kong provincial team before a spell with Kirivong Sok Sen Chey. He has a tough job on his hands to dislodge the current Crown strikeforce but is definitely one for the future.

Name: Leng Makara
Position: Forward
Squad Number: 23
Date of birth: 7 Jan 1990
Place of birth: Smach Meanchey, Koh Kong
Height: 1.71m
Weight: 64kg
Joined PPCFC: December 2011
Previous clubs: Koh Kong province, Kirivong Sok Sen Chey

Sam Chamrouen

2012-01-31T20:24:00.009+07:00

The tallest of our Cambodian players is one of our new goalkeepers, Sam Chamrouen, who stands head and shoulders above everyone else, except Hok Sochivorn. He spent last season with Chhlam Samuth as well as being included in the Cambodian U-19 national squad, having previously been with Preah Khan Reach and National Police. Highly-rated stopper who is determined to make the goalkeepers jersey his own.

Name: Sam Chamrouen
Position: Goalkeeper
Squad Number: 32
Date of birth: 9 Jan 1993
Place of birth: Tonle Bassac, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.83m
Weight: 72kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2011
Previous clubs: Preah Khan Reach, National Police, Chhlam Samuth, Cambodian U-19s

Koem Sophanal

2012-01-31T20:05:00.004+07:00

From last season's squad, Phnom Penh Crown have retained ten players, and signed 13 new faces. One of last season's squad who will be hoping to make an impact this season, is utility player Keom Sophanal. He joined up with Crown after playing in last season's Hun Sen Cup competition, and captained the Stung Treng province team under his coach Hok Sochivorn, for the previous four years. He represented his high school Preah Reachbochanikech, at the same time as playing for his provincial team in midfield.

Name: Koem Sophanal
Position: Midfield
Squad Number: 15
Date of birth: 8 May 1992
Place of birth: Bachung, Preah Bat, Stung Treng
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 60kg
Joined PPCFC: February 2011
Previous clubs: Stung Treng province

Ouk Sothy

2012-01-31T19:54:00.004+07:00

Next we move into the engine room of the Phnom Penh Crown squad to bring you another of the new arrivals, namely our very own 'Messi', a nickname that Ouk Sothy picked up while playing for the top local amateur team, Flying Bikes in Phnom Penh. He was picked out by the coaching staff as one of the most outstanding local prospects and signed a contract with the club in November.

Name: Ouk Sothy
Position: Midfield
Squad Number: 8
Date of birth: 5 Oct 1993
Place of birth: Tuol Svay Prey, Phnom Penh
Height: 1.70m
Weight: 63.5kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2011
Previous clubs: Flying Bikes

Men Seyha

2012-01-31T19:39:00.004+07:00

Next up , another new face in the shape of central defender Men Seyha, one of the successful trialists who earned himself a contract in early December after impressing Phnom Penh Crown coach David Booth. A native of Pursat province, Men Seyha moved to Battambang and represented the provincial team before spending six months with the Western University team that earned promotion to the C-League this season, finishing top of the Division 1A play-offs.

Name: Men Seyha
Position: Central Defender
Squad Number: 16
Date of birth: 15 Sept 1987
Place of birth: Chamka Chek, Sampeau Meas, Pursat
Height: 1.73m
Weight: 62kg
Joined PPCFC: December 2011
Previous clubs: Battambang province, Western University

Yok Ary

2012-01-31T19:16:00.002+07:00

I will begin to introduce the Phnom Penh Crown squad with one of the new arrivals in the first-team squad, goalkeeper Yok Ary. Despite suffering relegation with Prek Pra Keila at the end of last season, Yok Ary was on the wanted list of Crown coach David Booth after a string of good performances from the stopper, who had performed heroics as the last line of defence for Prek Pra for the last two seasons.

Name: Yok Ary
Position: Goalkeeper
Squad Number: 22
Date of birth: 11 Sept 1990
Place of birth: Roka Knoa, Kratie
Height: 1.75m
Weight: 75kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2011
Previous clubs: Prek Pra Keila

Darith's view

2012-01-31T18:11:00.008+07:00

Crown head coach David Booth in a lighthearted moment at today's event

Photographer Huy Darith joined the Phnom Penh Crown pre-season press conference this morning and captured these moments in time.

The MC looking forward to the new season

"Does it really take that long to translate a sentence?"

David Booth and Rithy Samnang enjoying themselves

Khim Borey speaks while Kouch Sokumpheak looks on

A view of the top table at today's press conference

Crown on display

2012-01-31T13:25:00.008+07:00

New signing Sos Suhana shows off the first choice red kit

Phnom Penh Crown held a pre-season press conference this morning to introduce their new squad for the 2012 season, which starts in two day's time, and for coach David Booth to answer questions from the assembled media. Eight televisions stations were present in addition to six of the main daily newspapers and other online sources. 4 of the Crown first-team squad were also present to answer questions and to show off the club's new playing strip. The club president Rithy Samnang introduced the kit sponsors and talked about other new ventures undertaken by the Crown group, whilst Bouy Dary gave an update from the club's youth Academy. More from the press conference later.

The 4 Crown players at the press conference. LtoR: Sos Suhana, Khim Borey, Kouch Sokumpheak, Am Oudom

Some of the assembled television cameras at today's press conference, as Rithy Samnang delivers his speech

Crown's new look squad

2012-01-31T13:07:00.004+07:00

The new look PPCFC playing squad in a recent photo with Italy star Fabio Cannavaro

The Phnom Penh Crown 23-man playing squad for the Hun Sen Cup, which begins with a tie against Kratie on Thursday, was announced at a press conference this morning. It looks like this. The new signings are marked with * and the player's previous club is in brackets. More on each player in due course.

Goalkeepers: *Sam Chamrouen (Chhlam Samuth), *Yok Ary (Prek Pra), *Am Oudom (Western University).

Defenders: Chan Dara (Khemara), Soeng Vanthan (Phnom Penh Empire), Sok Sovan (Phnom Penh Empire), Tieng Tiny (Naga), *Vi Lika (Prek Pra), *Thourng Da (Army), *Ngoy Srin (Koh Kong), *Men Seyha (Western Univ), *Maliky Rahan (Prek Pra).

Midfielders: Koem Sophanal (Stung Treng), *Ouk Sothy (Flying Bikes), *Chhun Sovanna (Phnom Penh Empire), *Sos Suhana (Prek Pra), *Ly Kimhor (no previous club).

Forwards: Kouch Sokumpheak (Khemara), Khim Borey (Army), Hong Pheng (Baksey Chamkrong), Sok Pheng (Khemara), Hok Sochivorn (Stung Treng), *Leng Makara (Kirivong).

Conference call

2012-01-30T22:49:00.004+07:00

Phnom Penh Crown will stage a press conference tomorrow morning at 11am to announce their new squad for the coming season, including 13 new signings, as well as presenting their new playing kit and sponsors, their 2012 Academy plans and other club news that includes a new Crown-branded restaurant opening soon opposite the Olympic Stadium. Their 23-man squad for the Hun Sen Cup, which starts against Kratie on Thursday this week, includes 10 players remaining from last season's squad, of which only four were regular members of the team that won the C-League Championship (namely Tiny, Dara, Sokumpheak and Sok Pheng). So whichever way you look at it, Crown's team this season is going to be a work in progress from day 1. They certainly don't possess the experienced campaigners that the club boasted last season.

The Hun Sen Cup group matches begin on Wednesday this week. The top eight teams in last year's C-League meet the eight qualifiers from the five regional groups from round 1 of the competition. On Wednesday and Thursday, there will be two games per day at both the Army Stadium and at the Olympic Stadium. In Group A on Wednesday, Chhlam Samuth meet Battambang and Pailin face the might of Naga at Olympic, whilst at the Army Stadium, also known as the Old Stadium, AEU meet the Army and Kirivong face Kampot in Group B. On Thursday, BBU take on Stung Treng, whilst Preah Khan Reach meet Koh Kong, at Olympic in Group C. The 2pm kick-off at Army Stadium will be Phnom Penh Crown against Kratie, followed by the other Group D match, National Police against Boeung Ket Rubber Field. Matches continue for each team with 3 games spaced over five days. The qualifiers move onto the quarter-finals which will take place on 8 February, the semi-finals two days later and the final on 12 February. That's 32 matches squeezed into twelve days of competition. I hope the players are up to the task. The football federation have not exactly given anyone much breathing space.

Late downer for Lee

2012-01-29T21:14:00.004+07:00

The Cam U-21s before the start. Back Row LtoR: Dara, Udom, Piseth, Chanthou, Daravorn, Rithy. Front: Khemarin, Phearith, Soseila, Sothearoth, Yaty

Ulsan University netted a late late winner, in the 2nd minute of injury time, to beat the Cambodia U-21s 2-1 at Olympic Stadium in this afternoon's friendly encounter. Both goalkeepers will want to forget this match quickly enough. They both conceded goals they would've expected to stop and Cambodia's captain for the day, Sou Yaty, was the first to pick the ball out of the net after 16 minutes. An inswinging direct corner from the left boot of Jeong Jong Hee evaded everyone, including Yaty and nestled in the far corner of his net. The home defenders and Yaty looked at each other, expecting someone to put their hand up. No-one did. Aside from another Yaty flying save, that was the sum of the first-half action. Cambodia made 4 changes at half-time and perked up but it took them a long time to get back on level terms. Chan Vathanaka, one of the three teenage Preah Khan Reach players in the team, took a leaf out of Jeong Jong Hee's inswinging left-footer book and repeated the feat from a free-kick, that Ulsan keeperJin Ung Yang watched sail over his head and into the top corner. 1-1 and eight minutes left to play. It looked odds on a draw until Ulsan's Boem Seon Shin left Nen Sothearoth on his bum and fired in a low drive which Yaty got a hand to but couldn't keep out. 2-1 to Ulsan and moments later the referee blew the final whistle. Cambodia's coach Lee Tae-Hoon will be kicking the cat that his charges let in such a late goal, but on the balance of possession, Ulsan were the stronger of the teams. What did Lee learn from the game? Khek Khemarin is not the defensive midfield answer and Pov Phearith had a shocker of a first-half. Nov Soseila is isolated without the proper service though substitute Teab Vathanak and speedster Chhin Chhoeurn pepped up the home attack after the break, but also need better quality supply to feed on. Sou Yaty got the captain's armband when either Sok Rithy or Say Piseth stand out as more suitable candidates. The coach, who has a penchant for making his keeper captain, also had to play without recruits from Phnom Penh Crown and 4 players from PKR.

Captain Sou Yaty leads out his Cambodia team

53 scored, no goals conceded

2012-01-29T13:23:00.006+07:00

Crown netted an 11-goal haul with their 2nd half line-up. LtoR Back: Baraing, Piphop, Sodavid, Chanchav, Chanpolin. Front: Noeut, T Chhaya, Muslim, Ponvuthy.

One way traffic was the order of the day as the Phnom Penh Crown Academy team gave their ASPECA opponents a 2nd half thrashing this morning. Just 3-nil ahead at the interval, the 2nd half saw another eleven goals added to make the final score 14-0 and but for some heroics by the ASPECA keeper and defenders, the result could've easily been doubled. The Academy A team continue to dominate the Barclays Capital ISF U-14 Champions League, having won all of their five matches, scoring 53 goals and conceding none. Yeu Muslim took his tally to 12 with six more goals this morning, all coming in the 2nd half. Goal poacher extraordinaire. Joining him in the goal fest after the half-time interval were Pov Ponvuthy, who netted a hat-trick and Orn Chanpolin who strode through from midfield to score twice. In the first-half of thirty minutes, Ken Chansopheak, In Sodavid and Mat Sakrovy were on target, though it took twenty minutes to break ASPECA's stubborn resistance. The Crown B team, in the ISF Premier League, eventually ran out 3-2 winners over plucky KDFO in the later game.

Pov Ponvuthy shapes up to unleash another piledriver

The Academy team that led 3-0 after the first-half against APSECA. LtoR Back: V Samnang, Piphop, Sovann, Sodavid, Sakrovy. Front: Phearath, Chansopheak, Noeut, Rozak.

Pov Ponvuthy races clear of the last defender to net another goal

The Crown B team squad, who beat KDFO 3-2 in a tight match

Itching to return

2012-01-28T17:47:00.004+07:00

Khim Borey pictured this morning after training, with his serious face

Phnom Penh Crown striker Khim Borey is itching to get back to playing football after a stop-start season in 2011. Borey joined Crown before the season began from the Army but dithering by the FFC and his former club meant he missed last season's Hun Sen Cup matches and then went on a season long loan to Thai Premier Division newboys Sisaket, at the time under the leadership of David Booth. He returned in time to play in Crown's run to the AFC President's Cup final but wasn't allowed to appear in the club's final bunch of C-League matches. This time around, he's back and itching to improve on his outstanding record in Cambodian football (he was the top-scoring Golden Boot winner in 2008), both at club (five years with the Army) and international level.

Early start

2012-01-28T11:22:00.010+07:00

David Booth shows exactly what he's expecting of his players

In a few days time, Phnom Penh Crown begin their 2012 season in earnest. On Thursday of next week they meet provincial qualifiers Kratie at the Army Stadium in the first of three Hun Sen Cup matches in the space of five days. Crown head coach David Booth has been working on fitness, teamwork and tactics for the past six weeks after finalizing his squad following the completion of trials early in December. Gelling more than a dozen new arrivals with the players remaining from last season's squad has been the highest priority. Today's early morning training session was spent practicing a series of free-kick situations, corner-kicks and penalties. Tomorrow's 7am session will be more of the same. On Tuesday next week, the club will hold a press conference with the local media to look ahead to the upcoming campaign, introduce the club's new faces, playing kit and updates from the club's Academy.

In motion for this Khim Borey free-kick

Organizing free-kicks and set pieces is an important part of the team's training

David Booth directing his troops

Wrapping up training with words from the head coach

Pegged back

2012-01-28T00:33:00.005+07:00

Whoops...the Cambodian U-21s were 3 goals to the good against visiting Ulsan University from South Korea on Friday afternoon and ended up being pegged back to 3-3 by the final whistle. In the first of two friendlies against Ulsan in three days, the next one is on Sunday, the sparse crowd at the Olympic Stadium were witness to a rare sight. Cambodia went ahead 3-nil with goals from Chan Vathanaka and Chhin Chhoeurn in the first ten minutes and Sophal Udom - who appears to have changed his name to Srey Udom, maybe to avoid his constant run-ins with the football authorities - netted on 54 minutes. Ulsan, who made 11 changes at the interval, stormed back and drew level with eight minutes remaining. A tough blow for coach Lee Tae-Hoon and his charges to swallow. Speedster Nov Soseila got another run out as a sub, after spending much of the past two years frustratingly kicking his heels on the sidelines after a combination of the Army and the FFC left him unable to play for anyone. A very sorry tale which needs to be exposed as a lesson in how not to manage the career of one of the country's brightest young prospects. The good news is that he's back on the pitch again.

The Cambodian U-21s starting line-up v Ulsan University. The match ended 3-3.

Grassroots struggle

2012-01-27T13:51:00.005+07:00

Equity Weekly is a current affairs television show that is part of a UN and government initiative to promote a culture of democracy in Cambodia. The show is 40 minutes long, weekly, and broadcast on TVK on Sundays at 8pm. This part of a recent programme focuses on grassroots football in the country, and specifically the lack of football pitches. Bouy Dary has a few words to say about the Phnom Penh Crown ground but the main sticking point is the lack of co-operation between the appropriate government ministry and Cambodia's football federation. Without a cohesive development plan geared to providing schools with suitable facilities, grassroots football in this country will continue to lag behind its neighbours. It sounds like everyone is simply waiting for wealthy sponsors to suddenly appear and kickstart a plan into action - which obviously isn't going to happen unless some people get off their butts and do the legwork.

Mickey Mouse trophy

2012-01-25T16:26:00.004+07:00

The Mickey Mouse Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy is looming large on the horizon. It's the U-21 competition that isn't for U-21s, that will be held in Brunei next month, and which has convinced the Cambodian football federation to reduce the Hun Sen Cup to a ridiculous fiasco. Cambodia are sending their U-21 team with five overage players (which is allowed under the HBT rules) and will have warm-up matches against Ulsan University from South Korea this Friday (27 Jan at 4pm) and Sunday (29 Jan at 4pm). Both games will be at the Olympic Stadium. The FFC are then squeezing the Hun Sen Cup into a 12-day window from 1 February to accommodate this biennial Asean tournament, which actually means that the two teams who reach the Hun Sen Cup final will play a match every two days, at a time when players are in pre-season preparation. That will then leave the national team coach, Lee Tae-Hoon, with a few days to coax his team into shape and take off, ready to begin their HBT games from 25 Feb-9 March. It will also allow Preah Khan Reach the time to compete in the Malaysian FA Cup on 18 Feb. The HBT tournament organisers have just extended the timeline of the competition as they realise they have to shoe-horn in 28 games with 11 teams taking part. Cambodia are sending their U-21 team, with the overage additions, whilst other countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia have confirmed they will be despatching their U-19 starlets. Squads will be 18-players strong, though only three overage players can take part in matches. I am still bewildered that the FFC have crammed their premier cup competition into a ludicrous timeframe, simply so the U-21s can take part in this meaningless competition. The overriding focus for the Cambodian national team this year must be qualification into the final stages of the AFF Suzuki Cup in October. There's a case to be made that this U-21 competition will help towards that, but it's a case with holes in it, as the best Cambodian players are simply not involved.

Cup mockery

2012-01-20T15:00:00.005+07:00

The Hun Sen Cup - now reduced to a club tournament rather than a serious cup competition

The Cambodia Football Federation have made a mockery of Cambodia's headline cup competition, the Hun Sen Cup, by turning it into what is essentially a club tournament over twelve days in which the two finalists will be expected to play no less than six games, ie. a game every two days. This is a pre-season tournament, which last season was spread over three months, but the FFC in their wisdom have decided that because the Cambodian U-21s have a crappy tournament in Brunei at the end of next month, that they will shoe-horn the country's most prestigious cup into a handful of days, giving teams and players absolutely no recovery time, at a stage of their preparation where they are nowhere near match fit. It is utterly bonkers. To add insult, the draw and competition dates have only been announced today, less than two weeks before the first matches. The words, couldn't organize a piss-up in a brewery, are particularly apt. The first matches in Round 2 of the cup will be played on 1 February, with the group matches ending on the 6th. The quarter-finals will be played on 8th, the semi-finals on 10th and the final on 12th. A schedule which is guaranteed to exhaust the watching spectators, let along the players in each team. The matches will be played at both the Olympic Stadium and the usually grass-less Army (aka Old) Stadium.
For Phnom Penh Crown, drawn as the seeded team in Group D, their opponents will be Kratie on 2 Feb at the Army Stadium at 2pm. Kratie were runners-up in the 3-team northern group. Next up will be the National Police Commissary on 4 Feb at 2pm at Olympic Stadium. The Police finished in 7th place in the C-League last season, their first since promotion, but walked-off during a match with Crown in August. Crown's third game could be their toughest, as they meet new boys Boeung Ket Rubber Field from Kompong Cham, new faces in the C-League this coming season, who won their four qualifying matches at home in the eastern group. The game will be played at the Army Stadium on 6 Feb at 2pm. Their manager is former Crown boss Be Makara and they include starlet Keo Sokngorn in their ranks.

Licensed for success

2012-01-20T12:07:00.006+07:00

David Booth leads from the front during a recent Crown practice session

David Booth, who guided Phnom Penh Crown to the Metfone C-League championship title as well as the final of the AFC President's Cup last season, after more than twenty years coaching abroad, took advantage of some free time in November to join the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) A-level coaching course in Manila, Philippines. David already holds the English FA's Advanced Coaching license (equivalent to the UEFA A license), but the AFC A license is equally important for coaching in this region, so it meant David joined up with a group of 25 other coaches for the 27-day, intensive 148 hours minimum residential course. At this elite level, the course is designed to provide coaches with tactical and advanced technical requirements of teams and team management. Physiological and psychological needs of the players are included and the course members were examined on both practical and theoretical aspects of the game, finishing with a dissertation. David has now received confirmation that he passed the course and now has his AFC A license under his belt. His current focus is on preparing his new-look Crown squad for the upcoming Hun Sen Cup competition and the C-League which should follow on soon after.

Cup palava

2012-01-16T11:32:00.005+07:00

The opening regional group matches of the 2012 Hun Sen Cup have been completed but the picture is still as clear as mud. 5 group winners will progress to the next stage, to be played in Phnom Penh, and will be joined by the 'best' three runners-up. The group winners are known already, whilst the FFC will now decide which three other teams will make the cut. It looks like their version of the three next best teams will be Kampot, Battambang and Kratie. The group winners, who are definitely through, are Boeung Ket Rubber Field (probably the worst name in the history of new teams) from Kompong Cham, Asia Euro University, Pailin, Koh Kong and Stung Treng. As for the playing dates of the next round, when the top eight teams from the C-League join the fray with the 8 teams to progress from the opening round, we are still awaiting the schedule from the FFC, which in itself is ridiculous. To not have the competition programme for the country's biggest cup competition, not to mention the start of the Metfone C-League season set in stone, is frighteningly inadequate. But I am not surprised, especially with the interruption of the U-21 invitational tournament in Brunei looking set to throw a spanner in the works of the Hun Sen Cup schedule.
Update: The FFC have announced that the four highest-placed C-League teams will be seeded in the 4 groups to be played in Phnom Penh, at the Olympic Stadium and at the Army Stadium. The groups will be of four teams apiece and the matches will be played between 1-12 February. The draw itself has yet to be made; no surprises there.

Academy win again

2012-01-15T17:51:00.010+07:00

Yeu Muslim strokes home his penalty kick

Unusually for the youth games that I watch most Sundays involving the Phnom Penh Crown Academy, the match against PSE (Pour un Sourire d'Enfant) this morning had a touch of needle in it. It came from the PSE team who probably felt the need to show a bit of steel rather than simply let the Academy youngsters roll over them. PSE won the yellow card count at 3-1. PPCFC won the game 6-0. Seut Baraing opened the scoring when his cross floated in at the far post and Yeu Muslim added the second from the penalty spot after he'd been upended. A double strike from Pov Ponvuthy and quick-fire goals from In Sodavid and Mat Sakrovy completed the scoring in the second half. Sath Rozak was the game's outstanding player. A pretty one-sided affair with PSE rarely threatening, aside from the physical stuff. This was the 4th success in as many games for Crown in the Barclays Capital U-14 Champions League. The Crown 'B' team, in the Premier League competition, beat the hapless CCFUA 13-2 with Nop David netting five. The Academy have put on hold a trip to Vietnam for some friendly matches as they've been invited to a tournament in Hong Kong at the end of this month, and they're trying to juggle the logistics.
The Academy's Barclays Capital ISF U-14 Champions League results so far:
v Komar Athyreach w19-0 (Muslim 3, Ponvuthy 3, Chanpolin 3, Sakrovy 2, V Samnang 2, Chansopheak, Sodavid, Sovann, Baraing, Noeut, OG)
v Komar Takhmao w10-0 (Senteang 2, Ponvuthy 2, Chansopheak, Muslim, T Chhaya, Chanchav, Noeut, OG)
v Preah Khan Reach w4-0 (Muslim, V Samnang, Chanpolin, Senteang)
v PSE w6-0 (Ponvuthy 2, Baraing, Muslim, Sodavid, Sakrovy).

The Academy 1st half team against PSE: Back Row LtoR: Titchhy, Baraing, Chanpolin, Chanchav. Front: Piphob, Chansopheak, Noeut, Muslim, V Samnang.

The 2nd half team that completed the 6-0 success. Back: Rozak, Titchhy, Chansopheak, Sovann. Front: Ponvuthy, Phearath, T Chhaya, Noeut, V Samnang.

Vat Samnang tries one of his trademark free-kicks

Friends before the game but someone forgot to tell PSE to play fair during the match

Saray awry

2012-01-14T22:49:00.001+07:00

The starting XI for Cambodia U-21s. Back Row LtoR: PM Udom, Soksana, Sorphea, Saray, Rithy, Chenla. Front Row: Khemarin, Veasna, Sothearath, Pancharong, Chhoeun

Tum Saray will be holding his head in his hands tonight, repeatedly asking the question why he didn't score against Malaysia in this afternoon's international friendly game at Olympic Stadium. He had the best two chances of an otherwise mediocre match but fluffed both of them, leaving the home fans in despair as Malaysia took the only real opportunity that came their way to record a 1-0 victory. It was effectively the Cambodian U-21s, with an eye on the upcoming tournament in Brunei, with a few overage players, against a Malaysian U-23 team, which was fresh from winning the prestigious SEA Games, a successful tour of Australia and who are just about to commence the new season in the Singapore League. It certainly wasn't the Malaysian's best team, due to injuries and left-at-home absentees, but on paper Malaysia are streets ahead of Cambodia at this age-level, so a 1-0 defeat is no disgrace in the circumstances. Malaysia are also warming up for three Olympic Games qualifying matches where they need to win all three to have any thoughts of making the trip to London. That was the background to the match, with Cambodia fielding a team shorn of any Phnom Penh Crown players after the league champions refused to release their players. They came to the match on the back of some practice games against local C-League teams and have two more friendlies against a Korean University team later in the month.

With coach Lee Tae-Hoon needing to pull rabbits out of the hat to satisfy the growing discontent at his abysmal record in charge of the team over the past fifteen months, the Cambodian line-up included three wingers and one of the oldest players in the country, Naga's Neang Chenla, at 32. Malaysia played keep ball from the off, but their defenders looked at sea on a couple of occasions as Phuong Soksana fired a shot across the face of goal and inches past the foot of the far post on 28 minutes. A minute later, Chenla was taken off. Though the visitors looked the more assured in possession, the best sight of goal fell to the home team just three minutes before the break. A poor back-header by Affize Faisal gifted Tum Saray a free run on goal but as he hesitated with the final execution, keeper Izham Tarmizi smothered the ball at his feet. With the crowd still groaning, Malaysia broke quickly and within 19 seconds had the ball in the net for the opening goal. Ferris Danial and Izuan Salahuddin played a neat one-two with each other and the latter fired an unstoppable half-volley past Sar Sophea from close range. The 2nd half was punctuated by numerous substitutions, eleven in total, which disrupted any free flowing football, but again, it was Cambodia who should've registered a goal but failed at the moment of truth. With 14 minutes of the game remaining, Cambodia broke quickly with Ung Dara setting Tum Saray free with a slide-rule pass through the middle. Saray rounded the keeper and rolled the ball towards goal only to see Nazirul Naim arrive from nowhere to hoof the ball clear of the goal-line. It simply wasn't Saray's day and he was replaced moments later. And that was effectively it. Malaysia coasted home to the 1-0 win, didn't look world-beaters by any stretch of the imagination, as their record would suggest, so Cambodia can take heart from that. More decisiveness in front of goal and the home team might've claimed a notable scalp. They didn't and it's more practice matches for the team ahead of the Brunei invitational tournament in late February.
Cambodia U-21 line-up: Sar Sophea, Touch Pancharong (Nen Sothearoth), Khek Khemarin, Neang Chenla (Moul Daravorn), Sok Rithy, Chhun Sothearath, Suon Veasna (Ung Dara), Prak M Udom (Teab Vathanak), Chhin Chhoeun (Sophal Udom), Phuong Soksana, Tum Saray (Nov Soseila). Subs not used: Sou Yaty, Um Vichet, Chhin M Seang, Plong Chanthou, Chan Vathanaka, Pov Phearith, Phang Dara, Say Piseth.

Lining up for the Cambodian national anthem

The Cambodian substitutes before the game

The Malaysian U-23 starting line-up

Army under fire

2012-01-11T17:42:00.008+07:00

Phnom Penh Crown gave themselves another tough pre-season workout this afternoon, with a practice match at their RSN Stadium against the National Defense Ministry team and ran out 4-1 winners. The Crown starting line-up contained no less than eight new faces, with completely new defence and midfield combinations. And they didn't disappoint, taking a 3-1 lead within the first fifteen minutes of the match. Khim Borey was on target after seven minutes against his former club and Sok Pheng netted a second on ten minutes. The Army pulled a goal back two minutes later but one of Crown's trialists scored a third goal on fourteen minutes and that was the half-time scoreline. Making changes, Crown coach David Booth watched on as Chim Rathanak struck ten minutes from time to give the Crown team a 4-1 victory. PPCFC will announce its playing squad for the coming season, as well as a host of new arrivals, at a pre-season press conference at the end of this month.
In the meantime, the Cambodian national U-21s will host the SEA Games winners, the Malaysian U-23s, at the Olympic Stadium this coming Saturday (14 January) at 4pm. It's a warm-up for an U-21 tournament the Cambodians are entering in Brunei next month. No PPCFC players have been involved in the U-21s recent practice matches against Metfone C-League teams, as they have been busy preparing with the club's coaching staff ahead of the new season. The Cambodian national team beat the Malaysian Olympic side 1-0 in a similar friendly last June. However, this Malaysian team are gearing up to compete in the Singapore League starting next month, have just returned from a successful tour of Australia and are still basking in their SEA Games success. It'll be a tough lesson for Lee Tae-Hoon's team. For the friendly tournament in Brunei next month, a total of eleven teams will compete: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam.

Fabio Cannavaro meets Khim Borey, a scorer against the Army today, during yesterday's visit by the former Italian star to the PPCFC HQ

Sokumpheak's big day

2012-01-11T16:52:00.007+07:00

Sokumpheak with Fabio Cannavaro, flanked by teammates Khim Borey and Sok Sovan

Kouch Sokumpheak is acknowledged by most football fans to be Cambodia's number one player for the last few years. He was an outstanding member of the Khemara Keila team before joining Phnom Penh Crown last season and top-scoring with 19 goals as Crown won the league championship and reached the final of the AFC President's Cup. He's been a nailed-on certainty in the Cambodian national team since his debut in 2006. And this coming Saturday will be another big date in the calendar for him, his marriage to Oeu Ravy. Yesterday he warmed up for the big occasion by meeting one of his footballing heroes, Fabio Cannavaro. He also took his dog to yesterday's training session, so will appeal to dog lovers as well as football fans. 500 guests have been invited to celebrate the wedding party on Saturday, for one of the nicest guys you could meet. Have a great day Sokumpheak and Ravy.

Sokumpheak gets to meet with Fabio Cannavaro yesterday

Sokumpheak takes his dog to yesterday's training session

The man himself in a more traditional football pose

Sokumpheak and his future wife Ravy enjoy the beach

Fabulous Crown

2012-01-10T14:39:00.012+07:00

Fabio lines up with the Crown Academy squad this morning

Phnom Penh Crown were the focus on Fabio Cannavaro's third day in the capital. With the Crown president Rithy Samnang being the person who invited the ex-Italian World Cup-winning captain in the first place, it was only right and proper that he should show off his own youth football Academy, the only one in the country, to the world superstar. Fabio arrived on time at the club's Tuol Kork headquarters and quickly donned his football boots to join the U-13s on the pitch. He took part in shooting and ball control practice and then watched them at close quarters as they played a 20-minute match between themselves. He then took questions from the youngsters, the best in the country at their age group, and gave his answers in English. Both the Academy and the Crown first-team, who'd just completed their early morning training session under coach David Booth as Fabio arrived, posed for team group photos before Fabio once again, as he has everywhere, made sure he signed every autograph or picture that was requested of him. His willingness to oblige the football fans he's encountered has been a key feature of his visit. And his time spent at the PPCFC Academy will certainly be an inspiration to the Crown youngsters, who shared the spotlight with him this morning. Handing over a playing kit and footballs to the charity Friends International will be the last official tour event with Fabio due to leave early tomorrow morning.

The Crown first-team and Academy boys join Fabio for a group pose

Academy coach Bouy Dary translates the questions to Fabio from his young players

Fabio meets the Crown head coach David Booth

Fabio volleys a pass to Chhuot Senteang

Paying close attention to a shot by Theang Chhaya

Fabio meets the Academy youngsters on arrival this morning

In Sodavid gets an autographed photo from the former Italy captain

Welcome Fabs

2012-01-09T08:24:00.009+07:00

Sabay capture Fabio Cannavaro meeting the Academy youngsters. Picture courtesy of Sabay.com

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy turned out in force to welcome former Italian football captain and World Cup winner Fabio Cannavaro to Cambodia yesterday. The youngsters formed a welcoming guard of honour as Fabio arrived at the airport, with banners and placards displaying the football star. Fabio will give the boys a coaching clinic on Tuesday morning at their RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork.

The Crown Academy youngsters prepare for Fabio's arrival

The Academy boys carry banners of the former Italy football captain

"I think my poster is better than yours"

Here I'm trying to rearrange the boys, all of whom had their hair cut for their big moment

Crown defeat their rivals

2012-01-08T13:23:00.007+07:00

The Crown Academy 2nd half team

With the buzz doing the rounds ahead of the arrival of Fabio Cannavaro later this afternoon, the PPCFC Academy youngsters concentrated on their football and dispatched their main rivals, Preah Khan Reach 4-0 at the RSN Stadium. The two teams are the strongest in the Barclays Capital ISF U-14 Champions League but it was the superior passing, movement and stamina of the 9-man Crown Academy that put PKR to the sword this morning. Yeu Muslim headed Crown in front after 15 minutes, from a well-worked move on the left flank, and Vat Samnang slammed in a 2nd ten minutes into the 2nd half. Orn Chanpolin capped a fine game with a goal before keeper-cum-striker Chhuot Senteang rounded off the victory with a neat finish just before the end. Crown stay at the top of the league table, with games at U-10, U-14 and U-18 girls levels being played in Tuol Kork every Sunday. The PPCFC B-team in the Premier League lost 3-4 to Komar Takhmao. After lunch, the Academy boys will head for Phnom Penh airport where they will welcome Cannavaro as he arrives in Cambodia.

The Crown Academy 1st half team

Academy youngsters listen to their pre-match instructions

Looking just Fab

2012-01-05T22:39:00.000+07:00

The Fabio Cannavaro visit, has been finalised. He'll be in Phnom Penh for three nights, lording it at the plush Sofitel after arriving on Sunday afternoon. Next morning will be a press conference, though Fabio's faltering English will mean a three-way translation will be required. He'll also be doing television interviews before a trip to Friends to donate footy kit and footballs to some of the street kids; with a 'sport is better than drugs' message. Without time to breathe, he'll be whisked off to the Olympic Stadium for a session on the pitch with the Cambodian U-21 squad, who are currently in training camp. Then its a meet-the-fans session at the Gold Dragon shop, opposite the Olympic Stadium front entrance, before a breather and then a cocktail dinner with sponsors and guests. He's allowed to sleep before an early start at the Phnom Penh Crown HQ in Tuol Kork next day (Tuesday at 9.30am), where the Crown Academy boys will benefit from a football clinic from the maestro, and the first-teamers will be on hand as well. Fabio has asked for an afternoon off so he can take in the sights of the city and he will take his leave the following morning. The trip will allow him to promote and support the emergence of football in the Kingdom, especially amongst the youth and disadvantaged. The hope is that someone as big a name as Fabio, will make more people sit up and take notice of the game here. Without doubt, he's the brightest star to come to Cambodia on a football gig, having won nearly every major honour in the game, including captaining Italy to the 2006 World Cup and getting the FIFA Player of the Year award from his fellow pro's in the same year. They don't come much bigger than that.

Military rule

2012-01-04T09:32:00.001+07:00

I must say well done to the online website of Sabay.com who are devoting a great deal of coverage these days to local sport, especially football. They are even beginning to highlight some of the issues that rankle with me, but which are generally swept under the carpet, such as the heavy-handed tactics of the Army (National Defense Ministry) football club in the way they deal with their own players and carry on as if Cambodian football was their own personal fiefdom. There appears to be one rule for the Army and another rule for all of the other professional clubs, whilst the football federation stand idly by and allow the military to ride roughshod over FIFA regulations and rules. Take the debacle of last season as an example. Before the season began, a number of players wanted to leave the Army team. Some were scared off by fear of retribution from those above, whilst three or four players that did have the balls to leave were then denied playing for other Cambodian teams by a combination of the Army refusing point-blank to allow them to move clubs, and the complete ineptitude of the football federation to take a strong lead in resolving the impasse. The players were not under contract to the Army and so in effect they were free agents as footballers to join whoever they wished. However, the military team steadfastly refused to release their registrations and effectively left them in limbo. They even claimed that as bona fide members of the armed forces, they were not able to leave the club. Basically the Army's ultimatum was; play for us or play for no-one. Two of the players, Khim Borey and Sin Dalin took off to Thailand where the Army were forced to tow the line under FIFA regulations and to agree to their international clearance, but for players like Nov Soseila and Suong Virak, they were left kicking their heels in Phnom Penh, with the federation turning a blind eye to the shenanigans of the military strongmen. After negotiations, Virak did appear for Phnom Penh Crown but missed the Hun Sen Cup competition, while Soseila has not kicked a ball in anger for more than a year. When Borey attempted to return after his contract in Thailand came to an end, his registration for the C-League was withheld, though he was granted permission to play in the AFC President's Cup. You have got to feel for the players involved. They wish to further their football career but the Army will do everything in their power, which is considerable, to deny them their livelihood. And the federation, who should be protecting player's rights, simply look the other way. Safeguards against this restriction of livelihood need to be introduced, which could include a player's union for example, the federation need to act like a real federation and abide by the rules of FIFA over player's transfers and contracts, and the Army must decide whether they are a military unit that wears football boots or they are a separate professional football club, and if the latter, they should act like one.

Scott's Indian summer

2012-01-03T09:14:00.006+07:00

Scott O'Donell in coaching mode

Former Cambodian national coach and advisor to Phnom Penh Crown, Scott O'Donell has begun a new chapter in developing youth football... in India. As the newly-appointed National Academies Manager, O'Donell will lead a joint project between football's world governing body FIFA and the All India Football federation to set up regional academies and an elite academy over the next two years. For phase 1 of the project, four residential regional centers will be set up in Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Delhi by the end of this March. "We will be selecting the players from the U-14 national festival as well as other trials to be conducted. There are already some private academies in India and a few clubs have their own but the quality varies," commented the Australian coach. Each academy will house about 30 boys and they will undergo a two-year stint in the regional academy where accommodation, food and education will be funded by the AIFF. The next phase, by March 2013, will see academies in Goa, Chennai, Chandigarh and Kerala come on board. The elite academy will be take boys from the age of 16 from the regional centers for two years before they become eligible to join professional clubs. This focus on developing youth football in India is a determined attempt by the Indian football federation to take their football to a new level in the future. O'Donnell, who had two stints as the national coach for Cambodia as well as a successful coaching spell at Geylang United in Singapore, is also a FIFA coaching instructor and pundit on ESPN/Star Sports. He will be working closely with the Dutch technical director at the AIFF, Rob Baan. O'Donell is no stranger to developing grassroots football, having worked closely with Bouy Dary to set up the Phnom Penh Crown Academy last year.

PKR compete in Malay

2012-01-02T14:40:00.005+07:00

The Malaysian football federation have at last confirmed that Preah Khan Reach, the 3rd best team in last season's Metfone C-League and last term's Hun Sen Cup winners, will compete in the Malaysian FA Cup this coming season. They are due to play their first round match on 18 February, which falls right in the middle of the Hun Sen Cup in Phnom Penh, so there needs to be some accommodation there. Presumably the game will have to be played in Malaysia as well. PKR, also known as Royal Sword and backed by the Military Police, have had an affinity with the country over the last few years, playing a series of friendly games there. PKR are replacing the Harimau Muda B team (the country's U-19 squad who play in the domestic league) as they are involved in competitions in Singapore and Brunei that month. The other foreign team to take part in the Malaysian FA Cup next season will be the LionsXII (effectively their country's U-23 team) from Singapore. Just a snippet for your info: the winners of the Malaysian Super League stand to collect a tidy sum of $235,000 as champions this time around, whilst Phnom Penh Crown picked up a paltry $15,000 as Metfone C-League winners last season. Meanwhile, the top dogs in Thailand will get $315,000, in Vietnam, the champions earn $150,000 and in Singapore, $115,000.

Academy open up 2012

2012-01-01T14:15:00.014+07:00

Yeu Muslim celebrates a 6-1 win with some after-match fruit and a wet wipe

The youngsters of the Phnom Penh Crown Academy began 2012 in fine style with a 6-1 success against Prek Kdam in this morning's friendly encounter. Three goals in each half for the Academy U-13s against their older opponents was more than enough to confirm their superiority. Head coach Bouy Dary has the luxury with his 22-strong Academy squad to field a different line-up in each half and with this friendly match, played with 11-a-side and forty minutes each way, gave his whole squad a run out on the first morning of the new year. Just three minutes into the game and Ken Chansopheak opened the scoring for PPCFC and a minute later In Sodavid added a second. It looked ominous for the visitors but they fought back gamely, weathered the storm and pulled a goal back on 25 minutes. Five minutes before the break Yeu Muslim pounced on a loose ball in the area and the Academy went in 3-1 ahead at the break. Seven minutes into the second half and the eagle-eyed referee spotted an infringement that no-one else did and Theang Chhaya stepped up to despatch the penalty kick with confidence. Fifteen minutes later and Suon Noeut set up Chhuot Senteang for a tap-in before Pov Ponvuthy wrapped it up at 6-1 with a simple finish. The Academy boys will get back to their Barclays Capital ISF Champions League campaign next week before they take the opportunity to spend a few days training and playing games in Vietnam in the middle of the month.

Academy team in 1st half. Back LtoR: Sovann, Piphop, S Samnang, Sopheak, Chanpolin, Sakrovy. Front: Chansopheak, Muslim, Chanchav, Sodavid, Phearath

Academy team in 2nd half. Back Row LtoR: Baraing, S Samnang, Sovannaroth, Sodavid, Kim Chhaya, Senteang. Front: Rozak, Noeut, Ponvuthy, Theang Chhaya, David

Suon Noeut outpaces a Prek Kdam defender to set up a goal

One of many saves made by Prek Kdam's athletic keeper Vuthy, a Cambodian U-13 player

Prek Kdam offered up stern resistance for much of the match

Head coach Bouy Dary (blue) issues pre-match instructions to his squad

The Academy boys listen intently to their coach

More domestic friendlies

2011-12-30T14:08:00.004+07:00

Lee Tae-Hoon's preferred build-up towards taking his Cambodian U-21 team (plus 5 overage players) to the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei between 25 Feb-5 March begins in earnest this afternoon when his squad take on Preah Khan Reach at the Olympic Stadium. It's the usual formula for Lee, games against C-League teams, as he did before the SEA Games, rather than pushing the boat out and getting some really tough opposition over here to test his squad against. Essentially, the cheap and cheerful alternative. Lee has lined-up a series of friendly matches, starting with PKR today and then games against newcomers Boeung Ket (4 Jan) and Naga (6 Jan) at the national football center at Cheng Meng, before meeting BBU at Olympic on 10 Jan. All the while, this is taking the players away from their domestic clubs, who are smack bang in the middle of their pre-season preparation. The timing is pretty abysmal. Boeung Ket for example are due to open up their Hun Sen Cup qualifying games on 7 Jan. The tournament itself, for Asean U-21 teams, is also geared to interrupt the flow of the pre-season Hun Sen Cup competition latter stages as well. Let's hope the federation are not expecting clubs to play without their Brunei-bound players.

Fabio tops the bill

2011-12-29T16:59:00.004+07:00

Fabio Cannavaro with his most prized possession

It's been confirmed. Fabio Cannavaro, he of the short height and always willing to take his shirt off to show his handsome torso, as well as being the 2006 FIFA World Player of the Year and Italy's World Cup-winning captain in that same year, will be popping over to Phnom Penh for a couple of nights (8th and 9th January) to show his face, promote Cambodian football and sports, make a few personal appearances (probably in the high-class fashion boutiques), and generally spread goodwill and his winning smile to all and sundry. Lots of television and media photocalls no doubt, a gala dinner perhaps and of course some time on the coaching field, most likely at Olympic Stadium, passing on the skills for which he was so blessed. Certainly not one of the tallest defenders around, his desire to win, his anticipation and his single-mindedness were his key attributes that made him one of the very best defenders on the planet in the last 20 years. He's certainly the biggest name from world football to ever grace these shores and will be warmly welcomed. He played in the teams of Parma, Juventus, Inter Milan and Real Madrid, won the European Player of the Year award, a bagful of domestic league and cup titles before finally calling it a day last year due to a persistent knee problem. He also happens to be a handsome devil (so my lady friends tell me) and won the accolade as the world's sexiest footballer on a number of occasions. Welcome to Phnom Penh Fabio.

Time for chat

2011-12-29T01:18:00.004+07:00

I caught an hour long television show tonight from the PPCTV channel, in Khmer language, which they billed as Internet Sport Talk Show for PPCTVSport. I believe the show has been running for a few weeks already and for much of the show they talked about football, both local and international. Other sports were shown on signs behind the two presenters but football was all they discussed. In one segment, they showed an online copy of the Phnom Penh Post and proceeded to read out loud the whole report, on the Cambodian national team, word for word. They also showed photographs of international players from other countries, displayed on their own facebook page and discussed potential tranfers and suchlike. An hour of football talk is certainly what the Khmer football-loving public want but I think they need to be a lot more innovative about their content, rather than reading verbatim from an online newspaper. I know Rome wasn't built in a day, so I welcome the show, but there's certainly lots of room to improve. Teach me to speak Khmer and I'll jump at the chance to take part as a pundit. If Shebby Singh can get away with it, anyone can. The Thais have what seems like almost continuous football chat shows, though most of it covers the Barclays Premier. I'd like the Khmer channels to be much more homegrown-focused, but without losing an element of international coverage of the big stories as well. The more coverage of the Cambodian League the better.

Lesson learnt

2011-12-28T18:24:00.007+07:00

Khim Borey (yellow bib) is inches wide with this effort against AEU this afternoon

In this afternoon's practice match at the RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork, Phnom Penh Crown beat the students of the Asia Euro University 4-1, after it was tied at 1-1 at the half-time break. Crown used 23 players during the match in order to give their trialists a taste of the action. Sok Pheng opened the scoring after just five minutes with a simple tap-in and then Mak Theara, in the AEU goal, pulled off one of a few good saves to deny Kouch Sokumpheak. AEU equalised on 11 minutes with an effort that looked suspiciously offside but was ruled good by the match officials. Khim Borey, pushing forward from midfield, missed a couple of guilt-edged opportunities and then Theara pulled off another great stop to deny Sok Pheng before the break. In the 2nd half, Crown rang the changes and two goals were scored by one of the club's trialists, on 60 and 70 minutes, both of the goals were neat finishes. Hong Pheng, fresh from his recent run-out in training for the Cambodian U-21 squad, out-fought a defender and lashed in a 15-yard effort on 72 minutes to complete the scoreline. In the starting line-up for Crown, only five players were with the club last season (Dara, Tiny, Sok Pheng, Borey, Sokumpheak), and another six from last term joined the fray in the 2nd half (Sovan, Sophanal, Vanthan, Hong Pheng, Rathanak, Sochivorn). The remainder, amongst the 23 players used, were all new additions or trialists. The club will announce its new signings at a pre-season press conference next month.

Hong Pheng (yellow bib) takes evasive action as the AEU keeper clears

Examination time

2011-12-27T15:02:00.007+07:00

Phnom Penh Crown's first-team squad, currently being re-shaped after their recent upheaval, have a practice match against the Asia Euro University team tomorrow (Wednesday) at their RSN Stadium HQ in Tuol Kork at 3pm. Crown have met the University side a couple of times earlier this year in friendly matches. In June, a Crown B-team beat them 5-2 and back in March, five goals from Kingsley Njoku helped Crown to a 10-1 success. The students came third in the Division 1A play-offs and were pipped for a place in this season's Metfone C-League by Western University and Boeung Ket. However, they will compete in the forthcoming Hun Sen Cup qualifying rounds, with their group matches to be played in Siem Reap.

I've just heard a whisper that one of the world's greatest footballers, a former FIFA World Player of the Year and a World Cup-winning captain, will be coming to Phnom Penh early next month for some special appearances and to shed a bit more light on Cambodian football and sport. My lips are sealed as to any more information at this point.

I was asked by a local journalist for details of the salaries paid by Phnom Penh Crown to their players, as they were writing an article about it. I was tempted to tell him to mind his own bloody business, but just stopped myself and instead said that the player's salaries are a private matter between the club and the player concerned. There is an expectation it seems in Cambodia that everyone should know the salary of everyone else, especially if they are in the public spotlight, like sportsmen. I come from a very different background where such personal information is a completely private matter. And that will be how it will remains for Phnom Penh Crown. Our players receive a monthly salary which is part of a private contract agreed between the club and the player concerned. It is no-one else's business. Read my lips.

No reward for failure

2011-12-26T11:57:00.005+07:00

Sacked Vietnam coach Falko Goetz ponders his future

Have Vietnam got their priorities right? They have sacked their German national team coach Falko Goetz, just seven months into his tenure, for an abysmal performance in the recent SEA Games. They finished 4th and for the Vietnam football federation, that was clearly unacceptable. Talking to the press, they pointed out the German coach had introduced an unsuitable playing style while failing to use the right players and create stability within the team. Vietnam's U-23s picked up 4th spot after a humiliating 4-1 loss to Myanmar in the bronze medal play-off, and after losing 2-0 to Indonesia in the semi-final. Goetz was the eighth foreign coach of Vietnam since 1995. He had already offered suggestions to restrict the number of foreign players at clubs in order to give more opportunities to locals and additional team places for younger players, before the curtain came down on his stint in charge. It seems the Vietnam federation won't tolerate failure, which is the complete opposite of their Cambodian counterparts, who perversely reward failure. Cambodia returned from the SEA Games with a sorry record, played 4, lost 4. Yet the Cambodian federation had already increased the contract of the South Korean coach (Lee Tae-Hoon) after 14 months of uninspiring and insipid football, where the team had failed in every competition they had entered. Now Lee is testing a batch of young players ahead of an unofficial regional U-21 tournament in Brunei at the end of February, with a view to preparing for Cambodia's next big senior competition, the AFF Suzuki Cup in October. This will be Cambodia's major international focus for 2012 and they will enter the qualifying rounds in Myanmar, which will determine who will join the big boys in the group stages, to be played in Malaysia and Thailand the following month. Cambodia failed to qualify for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup to be held in Nepal in March.

An Asean Super Football League is back on the agenda, after Asean Sports Ministers recently agreed on a Malaysian proposal to form such a league competition. The Super League would feature the leading football teams from all Asean countries. The proposal will be discussed in greater depth by the chief executive officers of all the leagues involved in the middle of next month in Kuala Lumpur.

Christmas present

2011-12-25T15:00:00.004+07:00

Pov Ponvuthy belts a shot towards goal in this morning's 10-0 success

The Academy team who netted seven goals in the 2nd half. Back Row LtoR: Baraing, Sopheak, Senteang, Chanpolin. Front: Noeut, Chanchav, Chhaya, Sodavid, Ponvuthy

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy youngsters gave themselves a nice Christmas morning gift with a 10-0 win over the plucky Komar Takhmao, in their Barclays Capital ISF U-14 Champions League encounter though the scoreline could easily have been doubled with their opponents not getting out of their own half in the second period. Crisp passing and interchanges saw the Crown boys carve open their visitors to the RSN Stadium, time and time again. After a slow start, an own goal settled any nerves before Ken Chansopheak and Yeu Muslim were on target ahead of the half-time break. Chhuot Senteang netted twice soon after the restart and then Theang Chhaya fired in a thunderbolt that the keeper didn't even see. Choun Chanchav, Suon Noeut and two late goals from Pov Ponvuthy completed the rout.
The foundations for the two new futsal artificial grass pitches at the RSN Stadium are currently being laid. This will be another very welcome addition to the club's facilities, which both the Crown senior and Academy teams can use, as well as being rented out to other clubs and associations. Floodlights will allow night-time use of the pitches as well.

The Academy line-up who played the 1st-half against Komar Takhmao. Back Row LtoR: Piphop, Sakrovy, Sodavid, Sovann; Front: Phearath, Chansopheak, Noeut, Muslim, Rozak

Mat Sakrovy keeps a close eye on the ball

The boys line-up for the pre-match handshakes

Sath Rozak leads the youngsters through their pre-game warm-up

An early look at Crown's new floodlit futsal pitches

The Crown futsal pitches greet visitors immediately they enter the stadium area

New look web

2011-12-23T15:12:00.003+07:00

I'm currently working on a new Phnom Penh Crown website as we approach the brand new season, with our designer Sak. He's the technical expert, I'm the ideas man. And the one who'll have to fill it. The above design is a prototype frontpage which we still need to fiddle around with and make some changes to, but I don't think the final outcome will be a million miles away from this look. And yes, before you say it, we'll need to replace the two players featured at the top of the page. The intention is to come close to some of the best football websites in the Barclays Premier, which is a tall order for a team in Cambodia, but Sak is a whiz at this stuff and I always aim high. We hope to have it on board in time for the start of the new season. Watch this space.

Cambodia off to Brunei

2011-12-20T22:50:00.009+07:00

I've just heard that Cambodia will be sending an U-21 team to Brunei in late February to compete in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy that will take place between 25 Feb - 5 March. This tournament, an unofficial U-21 competition for ASEAN countries, has been on-hold for the last few years as Brunei Darussalam were suspended from all competitions by FIFA. That ban was lifted in the middle of this year just in time for Brunei to take part in the recent SEA Games. I've been harking on about better quality opposition for the national team and a well-structured build-up programme towards the qualifying rounds for the AFF Suzuki Cup next October, and this goes part of the way to fulfilling that requirement, though the HB Trophy is essentially an U-21 tournament although the rules have been changed this year to allow a handful of over-age players. Meanwhile, the Suzuki Cup is for the senior Cambodian team. What doesn't sit well is that the tournament looks like it will be smack-bang in the middle of the latter stages of the Hun Sen Cup and the preparation of teams for the Metfone C-League. I've yet to see the revised dates for the Hun Sen Cup, as they keep changing them, and no start date has yet been fixed for the C-League campaign to get underway. For the national coach, South Korean Lee Tae-Hoon, it will be an opportunity to wipe some of the egg off his face after the SEA Games debacle when his charges went down in all four matches and exited the SEA Games with a whimper. The timing isn't great though, as players will be called up for training for the U-21s when they should be getting good pre-season fitness and tactical sessions under their belt with their individual teams ahead of their involvement in the Hun Sen Cup, and later the league campaign. The tournament in Brunei just about ticks the box in terms of the start of serious Suzuki Cup preparation, but much more is needed, particularly tough, high-profile friendly matches at senior team level, which doesn't include Korean university teams or 2nd-rate Vietnam club sides. Brunei have just returned from the international wilderness after a two-year plus ban was lifted so they could compete in the recent SEA Games, where they did pretty well, beating Philippines, drawing with Laos and losing against Timor Leste, Myanmar and Vietnam. Cambodia's U-23s lost all four of their SEA Games matches. Brunei's only professional club DPMM FC are rejoining the Singapore League after their football federation's FIFA reprieve and the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy will be the 4th time that Brunei has hosted the tournament. Indonesia won it in 2002 and then Thailand claimed the prize in 2005 and 2007 before the competition was suspended. In that 2007 competition, Cambodia's results were as follows: Brunei D2-2, Myanmar L0-7, Philippines W6-0, Thailand L1-10. For the record, in the FIFA world rankings, Cambodia lie at 170 whilst Brunei wallow at 202, as you'd expect for a team who haven't played for a few years.

Unveiling plans

2011-12-19T14:15:00.003+07:00

With the new football season in Cambodia fast approaching, all teams entering the Hun Sen Cup this season must submit their playing squads to the football federation ahead of the start of the competition, to be played in five regional centers, from 7 January. The involvement of the C-League clubs has now been put back until the first week of February. This cup is treated as the pre-season warm-up ahead of the domestic league campaign, likely to begin in April, though no word yet from the FFC on an official start date. At Phnom Penh Crown, coach David Booth and his coaching staff have been busy putting a number of trialists, both as part of the normal pre-season intake of new faces as well as following the open trials on 10 and 11 December, through their paces and decisions are being made as to which players will be signed by the club. Crown will hold a press conference in the week before their first involvement in the Hun Sen Cup to announce the additions to their playing squad, to unveil their new playing kit and for interviews with coach David Booth and his players, ahead of the new season. The club will also undertake a short pre-season tour outside the country from the middle of January as part of their preparation.
In another positive development, the club have begun construction of 2 futsal artificial grass floodlit pitches at their RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork. This will take a couple of months to complete and will greatly enhance the training facilities for the Crown first-team and Academy players, as well as being made available for rental by other clubs and associations.

Cup qualifying

2011-12-16T14:42:00.004+07:00

The Hun Sen Cup begins in under a month. It's the pre-season warm-up competition ahead of the Metfone C-League for Khmer players only. It's the Cambodian version of the FA Cup. No foreigners are allowed to compete. And the minnows from the provinces get a chance to rub shoulders with the big boys. Though this time around, fewer minnows will get that opportunity. It starts on 7 January with representative and club teams from the provinces fighting amongst themselves in five regional qualifying mini-leagues. The winner of each region (north, south, east, west and central) and three best runners-up will advance to the group stage. That's when the top 8 C-League teams (including Phnom Penh Crown) will join the fray, alongwith the 8 provincial reps, in 4 groups of 4 teams. These Group stage matches will begin on 20 January and last for a couple of weeks, with all matches being played in Phnom Penh. Following that, we enter the final eight-club knock-out stage. For the record, last season's winners were Preah Khan Reach.
The 5 regional qualifying groups (with teams representing the named provinces) are as follows:
East: Boeung Ket - Kompong Cham (host), Prey Veng, Chhma Khmao - Svay Rieng, Western University - Phnom Penh.
Central: Baksey Chamkrong - Siem Reap (host), Univ of Management & Economics - Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Asia Europe Univ - Preah Vihear.
West: Kompong Chhnang (host), Battambang, Pailin.
North: Kratie (host), Mondulkiri, Mekong Kampuchea Univ - Ratanakiri, Stung Treng.
South: Koh Kong (host), Kampot, Kep.

Crown on trial

2011-12-15T23:35:00.003+07:00

Phnom Penh Crown got their pre-season practice matches off to a good start, as they build up towards the Hun Sen Cup competition that will kick-off in January. Not only did they beat Chhlam Samuth 6-0 in this afternoon's friendly encounter at Crown's RSN Stadium, but they started the game with an almost full complement of trialists, all of whom coach David Booth reported "did very well." More of the club's established players took over later on to complete the game and the positive scoreline. Hok Sochivorn grabbed a couple of goals, Khim Borey got on the scoresheet and three goals were scored by unnamed trialists. The club gave no advance notice of the game, effectively making it a behind-closed-doors game. Most of the trialists have been training with the club this week after impressing in open trials the club put on last weekend. The club is looking to bolster its squad after last week releasing no less than six experienced players for disciplinary reasons following their AFC President's Cup Final appearance in September.

Sokngorn to rubber club

2011-12-13T13:49:00.008+07:00

Keo Sokngorn will be holding the Boeung Ket scarf for the coming season

I'm scratching my head over one of the two new teams to join the Metfone C-League in 2012. They are called Boeung Ket and will be managed by former Phnom Penh Crown manager Be Makara for the upcoming new season, with Prak Vuthy as coach. My understanding is that they are backed by the owners of the huge rubber plantation and processing plant north of Kompong Cham city, that operates under the Long Sreng International company name. However, last season, Crown played a team by the name of Neak Khiev, or Blue Dragons, that also originated from the same company - so I presume they've merely changed their name. The word on the grapevine is that the rubber baron behind the company has deep pockets and might explain how they've managed to persuade players like Keo Sokngorn, Touch Pancharong and Ly Ravy to join the C-League newcomers. I'm sure they'll be making other new signings before the season begins, with returnees from Thailand high on their agenda. Sokngorn and Ravy both spent last season in the Thai 2nd Division, with Samut Sakhon and North Bangkok respectively. Their facebook page calls them the Boeung Ket Rubber Field FC team, a rather unfortunate mouthful for anyone. Western United were the team to come out on top of the Division 1A play-off and gain promotion to the C-League, with Boeung Ket getting the 2nd spot as runners-up. Missing out were Asia Europe University and Oddar Meanchey.

Whitewash for Academy

2011-12-11T23:22:00.001+07:00

Yeu Muslim (10) nets the first of his three 1st-half goals

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy youngsters kicked off their Barclays Capital ISF U-14 Champions League series of matches in the most emphatic of ways, demolishing their opponents, Komar Athyreach, 19-0 at their RSN Stadium headquarters. On a mission to regain the BCISF trophy they won last season, the Academy team passed their guests to death from the start and quickly established an unassailable lead. As the goals rattled in, Yeu Muslim netted a first-half hat-trick, with Mat Sakrovy scoring twice and a goal apiece or Ken Chansopheak, In Sodavid and Pov Ponvuthy. An interval lead of 8-0 was a fraction of what it could've been. Coach Bouy Dary changed his complete line-up at the break and the youngsters of Komar Athyreach simply had no answer to the power, pace and precision passing of the home team. Full-back Ouk Sovann ventured upfield to open the Academy's second-half account, an own goal and then the other full-back, Seut Baraing got his name on the scoresheet too. Midfield strongman Orn Chanpolin rattled in a hat-trick, Pov Ponvuthy scored twice more to claim his trio, Vat Samnang netted a couple and Suon Noeut completed the 19-0 rout in the final seconds. A clinical display in anyone's book.
The second string of Crown's U-14 youngsters compete in the BCISF U-14 Premier League with a mix of Academy and non-Academy boys, some of which are ten years old. On the smaller pitch, they peppered the goal of their New Hope opponents throughout but found it almost impossible to beat the keeper until he punched the ball into his own goal from a corner. New Hope equalised but after the break, two goals from Nop David including a penalty, Kim Chhaya and Thy Ronaldo eased Crown to a 5-2 victory.

The Crown Academy first-half team. Back Row LtoR: Sopheak, Piphop, Senteang, Sakrovy, Rozak. Front: Muslim, Phearath, Sodavid, Chansopheak

The Crown Academy 2nd-half team. Back Row LtoR: Chanpolin, Baraing, Sovann, Titchhy. Front: Ponvuthy, Noeut, Chanchav, T Chhaya, V Samnang

Mat Sakrovy scores a goal with a slide-rule finish

Midfielder In Sodavid pushed up to net a goal in the first-half

Listening intently to their coach at half-time. LtoR: Rozak, Chanpolin, Sopheak, Baraing and Sovann

Coach Bouy Dary carries on the instructions at the half-time interval

The Crown Premier League line-up before their 5-2 win over New Hope

Rich dividends

2011-12-11T21:10:00.004+07:00

Coach David Booth invites these players to a practice match against the Crown 1st-team

The second day of Phnom Penh Crown's open trials came to an end at lunchtime today with coach David Booth declaring himself pleased with what he'd seen. He then invited sixteen of the trialists, which totalled nearly 70 players over the two days, to return to the RSN Stadium tomorrow afternoon, where they will come up against members of the Crown first-team squad in a practice match. It's a fantastic opportunity for the trialists, who if they put on a good performance, could find themselves just a step away from joining Crown full-time. It's highly likely that some of the players will be invited to join the Crown squad for training for the rest of this week, to show exactly what they can do in the club's daily training sessions. Crown already have a few irons in the fire with new signings looking likely from a number of local hopefuls that have been training with the club over the past week or two, whilst this batch of newcomers could also provide the club with some rich dividends.

The search begins

2011-12-10T13:33:00.009+07:00

Crown coach David Booth at today's trial

Phnom Penh Crown began the search for the stars of tomorrow by holding an open trial at their RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork this morning. More than fifty nervous hopefuls gave everything they've got in a series of twenty minute matches, designed to give them all a chance to shine and for the Crown coaching team, led by head coach David Booth, to run the rule over everyone. A few stood head and shoulders above the rest and were amongst the twenty or so invited back for a second bite of the cherry tomorrow morning, when the 2nd trial will take place. Some of the players, all over 17, came from as far afield as Koh Kong and Svay Rieng, whilst the bulk were from Phnom Penh and surrounding areas. The coaching team were sufficiently impressed by one or two of the trialists to already offer them the chance to come and train with the Crown first team, who are looking to swell their numbers after six of the squad were released by the club yesterday for disciplinary reasons. Bayon TV were on hand to capture this morning's trial for their sports programme, and to interview Booth for an insight into the trial, the first of its kind that Crown have offered to all-comers.

David Booth asks this group to return for a 2nd trial tomorrow morning

This group were thanked for attending the trial but their opportunity was at an end

David Booth and his coaching team in the thick of it

Bayon TV interview the coach David Booth with Bouy Dary helping with the translation

Massive bombshell for Crown

2011-12-09T16:40:00.001+07:00

The Phnom Penh Crown Crown players and staff await the AFC's judgement

A massive bombshell has shaken the Cambodian League champions, Phnom Penh Crown, to the core. The investigation into the on the pitch flashpoints at the end of the AFC President's Cup Final between Crown and home team Taiwan Power Company, played in Taiwan on 25 September, has finally been concluded by the AFC Disciplinary Committee. And it makes tough reading for Crown followers. The AFC have found three players - Chan Chaya, San Narith and Sun Sovannrithy - guilty of assaulting the match referee, Marai Mohammed Alawaji from Saudi Arabia, and have been suspended from all football competitions, both international and domestic, for a period of 6 months. Two of the players, Narith and Sovannrithy have already left Crown and look likely to join Naga Corp. It was in the fourth minute of added-on time, with Crown losing 3-2, that the three players reacted stupidly to what they saw as a nailed-on penalty when teammate Hong Ratana was scythed down from behind, though the referee, in his report, indicated that he had already blown for a handball by Ratana. All three of them pushed the referee in the chest, as did Thul Sothearith, but his actions have been overlooked by the AFC, and were subsequently red carded once the referee had composed himself. They will now sit out all competitive football for the next six months.

The second sequence of events to come under the scrutiny of the AFC Disciplinary Committe were the shocking scenes witnessed moments after the final whistle. As the Taiwan Power players began to celebrate, substitute Kuao-Kai Pan raced from the bench to attack Hong Ratana from behind, sparking a mass brawl between players from both sides. For their part in the fracas, six Crown players have been found guilty of misconduct against an opponent and involvement in a brawl and have been suspended from all football competitions, both international and domestic, for the next eight matches. Those players are Peng Bunchay, Kingsley Njoku, Hong Ratana, Sun Sopanha, Thul Sothearith and Suong Virak.

The reaction of the Phnom Penh Crown management, having waited for the AFC investigation to produce its findings, has been swift and tough. In a club statement issued this afternoon, Crown have immediately terminated the contracts of six players – Chan Chaya, Peng Bunchhay, Hong Ratana, Sun Sopanha, Thul Sothearith and Suong Virak. Of the remainder, Sun Sovannrithy and San Narith have already left the club and Kingsley Njoku’s contract has expired.

The club's official statement reads as follows: PPCFC cannot condone the behaviour of players, who while representing the club, have been found guilty by the AFC Disciplinary Committee of assault and serious misconduct. At PPCFC we sincerely believe that we must lead by example in our behaviour and attitude both on and off the pitch, particularly in encouraging the youth of Cambodia to follow the true spirit of the game of football. In light of this, we therefore find the behaviour of the players found guilty by the AFC to be totally unacceptable and have taken the course of action explained above. The Crown President, Rithy Samnang, added his own statement to the club's comments. “I was devastated by the reaction of some of my players in the AFC President’s Cup Final in Taiwan and have waited to hear the judgement from the AFC Disciplinary Committee. I want my team to play the game of football in the right way, to be an example to our Academy boys and the rest of the youth in Cambodia. This is a key element running through the backbone of Phnom Penh Crown FC. Everyone worked so hard last season to bring more success to the club but the actions of some players have tarnished the reputation of the club and Cambodian football throughout Asia. This is why we have taken such robust decisions. We must remain strong and stop this from happening ever again,” stated the Crown chief.

In anyone's book, that is a bombshell of nuclear proportions. In one fell swoop, head coach David Booth has lost a big chunk of his successful squad, who carried off the Cambodian League title and took the club to their best-ever international cup run. The players who have been released are for the most part, experienced professionals, having represented their country but who for a few minutes at the end of a fiery cup final, lost their heads completely and must now pay the ultimate price for their actions. For Crown it's clear, their irresponsible behaviour effectively undid all the hard work put in by the club's players and staff to achieve what most people thought impossible and a stand must be taken to avoid any repetition in the future. It's a tough lesson to learn for all.
There is no word on whether any action has been taken by the AFC against Taiwan Power Company.

What an opportunity...

2011-12-06T14:06:00.005+07:00

In a bid to uncover any rough diamonds, Phnom Penh Crown have announced they will be holding open trials for players over 17 at their RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork from 9am on the mornings of 10 and 11, and 17 and 18 December. Head coach David Booth and his coaching staff will run the rule over any Cambodian players who believe they have what it takes to cut the mustard with the number one team in the Kingdom. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Announcements will be made on television, radio and in the print media to encourage as many hopefuls to turn up as possible. For directions to the RSN Stadium, click here.

Football age cheats

2011-12-04T09:52:00.002+07:00

In the English game, either at club or national team level, there is zero possibility of age cheating. All births are centrally registered and players have just one birthdate throughout their playing careers. That's my background. This is not the case in Cambodia, or other Asian countries for that matter, where players have their real age but are often saddled with a separate football age by club or national team coaches. It's such a common occurrence in Cambodia that few see it as a dilemma, and has been sanctioned by coaches over many years. But put simply, it's cheating and is a shameful practice that must be stamped out at all levels, both in international and domestic competitions.
The reason why Cambodian coaches break the rules is to try to gain an advantage in youth competitions, particularly in age-level tournaments, and because they think they can get away with it. Take the Asian Football Confederation's U-14 festival of football championships as an example. A youngster must be 14 or under to play in the competition. It's the coach who decides who he wants to select and if a youngster was overage, at say 15 or 16, the player's birthdate was changed and a passport issued to allow the youngster to travel and compete. The date on his original birth certificate, if he has one, was ignored. That football age will then stay with the player throughout his football career. It will also mean that if the player continues his development and retains his place in the national team squads, it will perpetuate the age cheating all the way through to the SEA Games (at U-23 level). It's clearly wrong and does the game a serious injustice.
The AFC, who initially used X-rays to determine the accurate age of players, and who now use the more reliable MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) tests, have sent a clear message to all Asian countries that age cheating will not be tolerated. They disqualified Korea, Tajikistan and Iraq from the 2008 AFC U-16 championships and then banned eight players during the 2010 event for trying to cheat the system. It looks like the bad old days of age cheating at international competitions has come to an end for the most part, though we still need to ensure a level playing field in domestic age-level competitions being played in Cambodia for this practice to be eradicated forever.

Cup competitions

2011-12-01T17:38:00.006+07:00

The AFC President's Cup trophy

I've heard some news about the Hun Sen Cup and the AFC President's Cup which I'll mention below, though we're still waiting to hear the outcome of the AFC (Asian Football Confederation) investigation into the events that took place in the AFC President's Cup Final in Taiwan, both before and after the final whistle. The suits at the AFC have been pondering this for some time now - the final was played on 25 September - more than two months ago, and yet we're still awaiting their final decision. Various AFC competition committees met this week and have ratified the competition rules for the 2012 AFC President's Cup, where Phnom Penh Crown will again represent Cambodia, after winning last season's Metfone C-League championship. The President's Cup will be competed for by twelve national league champions and the Group stage will determine the six teams that then qualify for the Final Group stage and then the Final itself, identical to what happened this time around. The initial Group stage at venues to be decided will likely be in May with the Final stage set for September, though confirmed dates will be known later. A new face in the competition for 2012 will be Mongolia, who will fill the void created after Myanmar clubs were granted a place in the AFC Cup. The Mongolian championship, decided in September, saw FC Ulaanbaatar win the title for the first time. Taking their leave of the AFC President's Cup will be Myanmar, whose application to join the AFC Cup was accepted by the AFC competition's committee. Their domestic league champions Yangon United now have direct entry to the 2012 AFC Cup while runners-up Ayeyawady United will compete in the four-team play-offs against Malaysia's knockout cup champions Terengganu in the East Zone, while FC Victory from the Maldives and Yemen's Al Tilal will contest the West Zone play-off. The winners of the play-offs will join the four losers from Round 2 of the AFC Champions League play-offs and the 26 other clubs in the group stage. With a fair wind, Myanmar could have two clubs in the latter stages of the AFC Cup. That could've been Cambodia, if our own FFC had got their finger out when the AFC asked for applications. Closer to home, the 2012 Hun Sen Cup will begin on 7 January with representative and club teams from the provinces fighting amongst themselves (not literally I hope) in five regional qualifying mini-leagues. The winner of each region (north, south, east, west and central) and three best runners-up will advance to the group stage. That's when the top 8 C-League teams (including Phnom Penh Crown) will join the fray, alongwith the 8 provincial reps, in 4 groups of 4 teams. These Group stage matches will begin on 20 January and last for a couple of weeks, with all matches being played in Phnom Penh. Following that, we enter the final eight-club knock-out stage. Further confirmation of dates, etc to follow in due course.

Thinking ahead

2011-11-29T22:28:00.005+07:00

In looking towards the future of Cambodian football, I think anyone with a brain knows that a structured grassroots program of developing young and talented individuals is the way forwards for any country. You have to get the youngsters early enough, drill good habits into them by coaches who know what they're doing alongwith an enjoyment of the game, and avoid the bad habits that the adult players of today never had the opportunity to avoid. This needs the combined efforts of the football federation in offering up a development plan for the future, an organized schools program that features sports as a key element of the school curriculum and professional clubs to set up and develop their own quality youth programs. We are a long way away from that structure in Cambodia at this moment in time. Currently, only one club has an academy, essentially spending money now building for the future as their goal, whilst some clubs have youth teams on the go, but the federation has no plan that anyone is aware of and the schools involvement is completely missing. Meanwhile, other countries are light years ahead of us. Take the Philippines as an example. With the help of the German FA, they are evaluating their own grassroots program and already training 8-year-olds from all over the country with the AFC Youth and World Championships of 2017 and 2019 in mind. What long term planning does the Cambodian federation have? None that anyone knows about. They tick boxes by holding annual championships at various age levels but they are pretty meaningless as age-cheating is rife and the winners are easy to pick before the competition begins. Much of the grassroots work is being done by groups such as Indochina Starfish and the SALT Academy, rather than the football federation, who should be at the helm of a fully integrated youth development program.

Even if the federation wake-up, join forces with the government and introduce a serious development plan for the future, that won't improve the sorry, sad state that our national team find themselves in at this time. I've already said my piece about the national team coach, so I won't discuss his failures of the last fifteen months again. Instead, how the heck do we turn the tide around and start improving our performances. Besides appointing a new coach, with the right credentials and experience, there are some options that we can consider. Our preparation has to improve, dramatically in my view. There is a dearth of suitably tough friendly matches, our players are not tested against the best the region has to offer, outside of competition, and games against local clubs or university sides from Korea simply don't cut the mustard. Malaysia for example, sent their U-23 squad to Slovakia for months on end and have reaped the rewards with a string of successes. This is something the federation have failed miserably to manage properly and need to improve in the future. They also need to think outside the box, instead of their predictable boot camps in Vietnam. Another avenue to bolster the make-up of the national team is to consider reinforcing the squad with foreign-based Cambodian nationals. I'm not talking about naturalizing players such as Singapore and Vietnam are prone to do, but taking a long, hard look at players with Khmer parentage, who are currently playing for teams in the Unites States, France and elsewhere. In recent months a few names have been banded about the internet, and I think the federation should bite the bullet, invite the best of them for trials with the national team and take it from there. They have nothing to lose and the fresh impetus from a handful of new faces should have a positive effect on the current national team squad. You might ask how the federation would pay for such extravagances, well, they receive substantial annual handouts from FIFA and of course sponsors like Metfone and don't have a grassroots program in place at the moment, so they must be awash with money.

Rubbing shoulders

2011-11-29T16:46:00.006+07:00

Kouch Sokumpheak rubbing shoulders with Ronaldo on the cover of 855

The latest edition of 855 Sports Magazine is out today. The cover has two of the leading footballers of their era, Kouch Sokumpheak and Christiano Ronaldo on the front cover, with Phnom Penh Crown's Sokumpheak also featuring as the pull-out poster and in an article about his playing career. There's also a feature on David Booth, the PPCFC coach as well as articles on Naga Corp, Preah Khan Reach and many other local and international sports. This second edition has increased its page size to sixty pages and the price remains at 5,000 riels. It's Cambodia's first-ever glossy magazine devoted entirely to sport and published in the Khmer language.

An article on PPCFC's coach David Booth

Sovan oozes confidence

2011-11-28T23:19:00.005+07:00

Sok Sovan in action against Malaysia in the recent SEA Games

Twenty-one year old central defender Sok Sovan is a man on a mission. To establish himself as a regular fixture in the Phnom Penh Crown team and to continue to play for his country, as he did in the recent SEA Games in Indonesia. Born in Phnom Penh and schooled at Bak Touk High School in the city, he initially signed with Khmer Empire in 2006 before they merged to become Phnom Penh Empire a year later. With appearances for the first-team restricted, he was loaned out to the National Police in 2010 and again to Neak Khiev at the start of last season in order to gain valuable experience. He'd already represented Cambodia in Malaysia's festival of football at U-14 level and then played all five matches in the AFC U-16 qualifiers in Indonesia in 2007, where the team acquitted themselves well, beating the hosts and drawing with Vietnam and Hong Kong.

Sovan started last season with some game time in the warm-up matches and in the early Hun Sen Cup ties before his three-game stint with Neak Khiev, who just failed to gain entry to the Metfone League. On his return, Crown coach Bojan Hodak went with more experienced heads and it was left to David Booth to give Sovan his chance at the back-end of last season's Championship-winning campaign. "I got my chance when other players were out through suspension. I was very pleased to get the opportunity to show what I could do, having sat on the bench all season long. I felt fit and strong, very relaxed and happy to show my ability in such important matches for the club." David Booth selected him for the crunch game against Naga and Sovan did well enough to keep his place for the final game of the season against Preah Khan. "I felt confident, fit and keen to play well. They were important games for Crown, the type of games I want to be involved in, week-in, week-out."

Following two friendly matches against the Cambodia U-23s and two substitute appearances in the AFC President's Cup final stages in Taiwan for Crown, Sovan was called into the Cambodian SEA Games squad and played three games in the BIDC Cup and another friendly against Nepal. "I was extremely happy to get the call. I've been in the national team at U-16s but this was for the SEA Games. I felt proud to represent my country at such a prestigious competition. The national coach had faith in me and I have faith in him." Sovan played every minute of the four SEA Games matches played by Cambodia, alongside the vastly experienced Sok Rithy at the heart of the defence, though Cambodia lost each of their matches. "I was happy with my own performances but as a team we didn't do as well as we'd hoped. It was a great experience, playing against such strong teams and to be honest, there wasn't a big difference between us and the other countries. If we can train together as much as they do, I believe we can get a lot closer to them. We had a good team spirit amongst the players, we were proud to represent our country and I hope to be able to do it again." Predictably Sovan is looking forward to the new season. "I've got a lot more self confidence now, after that run of matches. I feel I've improved my game and I can't wait to get started again. I want to be part of a winning team and Phnom Penh Crown are definitely the best club in Cambodia. We have the best coach, the best players, the best facilities, everything to make us the top team. Now we have to go out and prove it again next season."

An outside view

2011-11-28T14:18:00.002+07:00

Click on fake shirts, pitch brawls and cheap beer for a visitor's view on their first and last Cambodian football match at the Olympic Stadium. They obviously attended the Phnom Penh Crown v National Police match in early August, so it's taken the author quite a while to write up his story. Nevertheless, he got it right when he said Crown were the best team in the country.

Double Crown triumph

2011-11-27T21:36:00.022+07:00

The Crown Champions League team collecting their winning prize

The mixed Premier League team line up for their prize-giving

The RSN Stadium at Tuol Kork was the venue for the start of the third Barclays Capital Indochina Starfish Foundation football league today with five pitches awash with boys and girls football matches throughout the day. The age groups were U-10s and U-14s as well as U-18 girls and the matches also included a team of deaf players from Krousar Thmey amongst the 46 teams taking part. I spoke to a lot of players from the teams who converged on the RSN Stadium and they all said how much they loved playing the games, whether they win or lose. It was so refreshing and a tribute to the work done by the ISF folks with squads from NGO’s, orphanages and schools making up the majority of the teams. The home team, Phnom Penh Crown entered two teams in the U-14 Champions and Premier Leagues, and they both won their respective championships on the day. With all games twenty minutes in duration, it was 7-a-side and the Champions team for Crown were all Academy boys. They beat Komar Athyreach 5-0, Preah Khan Reach 3-1, got a bye in the quarter-final and then beat Sunrise Kandal 2-0 in the semi. With two goals from Mat Sakrovy they then overcame Maruhan Japan Bank/PSE 2-0 in the final. Their passing was crisp and quick, each player played unselfishly and they always had enough gas in the tank to beat their opponents. For Crown's Premier team, it was a mix of Academy and non-Academy boys, including four U-10s. They found it a bit tougher but still won through to the Premier final, where they beat the ISF Flying Tigers team on penalties, with Svang Samnang netting the winning spot-kick after making two saves as his team's keeper. The day's winning teams in the boys and girls league were presented with their prizes of soft drinks and biscuits and will carry on with the championships every week between now and March at the same venue.

The winning teams in each grouping await their prizes

Theang Chhaya (20) heads the line for the Crown Champions League team

Mat Sakrovy scores one of his two goals in the final

The starting Champions League team in the final v PSE. Back Row: Sakrovy, Sopheak, Chanpolin, Titchhy. Front Row: Chansopheak, Sodavid, Muslim

The ISF keeper saves Nop David's penalty in the Premier League final

The Crown Champions league team in the semi-final v Sunrise Kandal

Penalty kicks decided this girls game after the teams drew. The games are played to a result.

This Crown Champions League team beat Preah Khan Reach 3-1

Mat Sakrovy on target again in the 5-0 win over Komar Athyreach

The Crown Champions League team beat Komar Athyreach 5-0 in the opening game

Instructions for the Crown teams from the coaching staff

The FFC view

2011-11-25T09:01:00.006+07:00

In an interview with the Football Federation of Cambodia's spokesman, May Tola, in today's Phnom Penh Post, it's clear that the FFC have absolutely no intention of changing the man in charge of the Cambodian national team, Lee Tae-Hoon, who has presided over a litany of disappointing results and early exits from all competitions since he took over fifteen months ago. In explaining the Federation's position, Tola effectively said the FFC know what they are doing, they have the experience and the knowledge, they are fully responsible, they won't listen to public opinion or what he called 'non-technical people's opinions' and that Lee is suitably qualified in technical and player management skills. He said that FFC have no reason to replace the coach and that, in their view, the team is improving.
Though you wouldn't expect him to say anything less, as the FFC are the ones who employed the South Korean coach, albeit the Korean FA pay the man's salary, and who recently gave him an extension to his contract through to July 2012. They simply don't have the balls to admit they made a big mistake in giving the job to someone with the absolute minimum of coaching experience - two spells as assistant coach of the Korean women's team - and who has spent the last fifteen months treading water. I challenge the FFC spokesman to explain exactly how the national team's performances are improving. They look tactically naive, players are played out of position, key players have been ignored, tossed aside or benched, fitness has overshadowed mental toughness and tactical nous, and there is no obvious indication that we are moving in the right direction. Meanwhile, we see countries at our level improving their results and leaving us behind in their wake. But it seems, the FFC are happy to back their choice of coach to the hilt, in the face of mounting criticism from the kingdom's football-loving public.

New blood required

2011-11-24T00:09:00.007+07:00

You could hear a pin drop since Lee Tae-Hoon returned from the SEA Games debacle

It's been nearly two weeks since Cambodia's national football coach, Lee Tae-Hoon returned from Jakarta with an ignominious SEA Games record of played 4, lost 4, scored 2, conceded 16, points zero. And that's after the national coaching set-up had publicly stated their key focus this year was squarely on achieving success in the SEA Games, over and above any potential success in the World Cup qualifying rounds or any other competition for that matter. Unfortunately, it didn't quite work out did it. But anyone with the slightest awareness of football in the region could've forecast what took place. All of our rivals bust a gut to do well in the SEA Games. They raise their level of performance and intensity. So a blind monkey could've predicted we'd get thumped and we did. The fact is that neither the full national team or the U-23s that played in Indonesia are in any better shape than when the ex-South Korean women's team assistant coach took over 15 months ago. Anyone could've achieved what he's managed, getting knocked out of every competition at the first hurdle. And yet the Federation have remained silent as a mouse since the SEA Games debacle. Not a peep from the people who gave him the job and who pledged their faith in him. They even renewed that commitment with a new twelve month contract a while back and yet we continue to lose ground to every other country in Southeast Asia whilst Lee is at the helm. Cambodia needs new blood, someone with the experience, motivational skills and coaching nous to pick us up by the scruff of the neck, give us a good shaking and take us into a new era. Keeping the current incumbent in his post is not the answer. We now have just under a year before we face our next big international test, qualifying for the AFF Suzuki Cup next October. If the Federation bite the bullet and accept the inevitable sooner rather than later, that will give a new man a fair crack of the whip in terms of moulding the team into what he wants. If we continue as we are, we are doomed to continue to lose touch with our nearest rivals, however much effort our players put into it. We need a new man in charge now.

1st-ever sports magazine

2011-11-16T10:43:00.002+07:00

The front cover of 855 Sports Magazine

The first edition of the brand new, first-ever Cambodian magazine dedicated solely to sport is out on the streets of Phnom Penh, and available from many of the roadside newspaper vendors you see around the city. In fact the second, expanded edition is due out on 25 Nov. With a 5,000 print run of the first edition, the team behind 855 Sports Magazine are keen to make an impression on the sports-loving Cambodian public - the magazine is in the Khmer language - and with its glossy look, middle-page poster pull-out and wide coverage of different sports, they have made a grand entrance into the magazine market. The football-playing prime minister makes the front cover and football gets the lion's share of coverage inside the mag with 20 out of the 48 pages. There's a focus on Phnom Penh Crown, the Cambodian national team and on the Crown Academy, including a feature on one of it's young stars, Vat Samnang. The SEA Games, golf, tennis, boxing and motor sports are also covered, though the text is a little sparse in places as the magazine is pretty rich in photographs. The cover price is 5,000 riels though I believe it may drop to 4,000 for the second edition. This is a first for Cambodian sports fans, their own dedicated magazine published every two weeks covering both local and international sports stories. Now it's up to the magazine team to strive to improve their content and for the public to support them by buying the magazine on a regular basis.

A feature on Vat Samnang, from the Crown Academy

Groin goes pop

2011-11-14T09:06:00.003+07:00

PPCFC Academy boys and staff play for fun...and pain!

I experienced the Phnom Penh Crown Academy boys at close quarters yesterday afternoon, as we held a series of friendly matches, with members of the Crown staff allocated to teams of half a dozen Academy boys and playing round-robin matches of twenty minutes each. At 52, being left on your backside by a side-stepping thirteen year old is not good for your ego I can tell you. And then to cap it all, in the final game I stretched for a ball I should've known better to leave alone, and my groin went pop. I hobbled off to leave my team one man short and we lost the final. I couldn't apologise enough. After a BBQ with everyone involved to end the evening, I headed for home, my groin freezing cold from the ice being applied, and vowing to finally call it a day. I should know better than to try and mix it with the stars of Cambodia's footballing future.

SEA Games mis-adventures

2011-11-13T20:02:00.009+07:00

Cam U23s v Malaysia. Back Row LtoR: Sovan, Rithy, Soksana, Rady, Sothearath, Laboravy. Front Row: Pancharong, Yaty, Raksmey, Souhana, Chhoeun

There's not much more to say that I haven't said already about Cambodia's SEA Games football mis-adventures. Cambodia came unstuck again, as expected, in their final Group A match of the Jakarta-based SEA Games this afternoon, losing 4-1 to reigning champions Malaysia. Playing their 4th game in the space of seven days, Chhin Chhoeun netted a consolation for Cambodia on the hour, after Malaysia went in 3-nil up at the break - with Sok Rithy having a nightmare at the back - and then added another on full-time when Prak Mony Udom failed to clear his lines. So that's 2 goals in 4 matches for Cambodia, both by Chhoeun, whilst they conceded 16 goals at the other end. Lee Tae-Hoon, Cambodia's Korean coach, selected Sou Yaty between the sticks and stuck with his defensive-minded midfield with an extra defender added for comfort. Conceding a goal after just seven minutes sank his plan, yet again.
Lee's words of infinite wisdom on the team's performances in the competition are worth nothing. "The campaign was not a total loss. The players have been learning from game to game and I think that they are better players as compared to when they first came to Jakarta. I believe that this team can only get stronger and they will definitely be better at the next SEA Games in 2013." Well, we all hope the team will get stronger of course, but I hope that Lee isn't suggesting that he stays in charge for the next SEA Games, as that would be disastrous. He's had his time at the helm, it's now time to hand the baton to someone more experienced and capable. I fully expect the Federation to see sense and end the Korean experiment, which is their 2nd attempt at it, and both have been as unsuccessful as each other. The positives from the four defeats are that the players who did play will benefit from the international experience, though players like Soun Veasna and Keo Sokngorn, who spent most of their time on the bench, were under-utilised by the coach and he has to answer for that. In fact, he has to answer for the last 14 months of poor results, as I've said ad nauseam.
Cam U23s v Malaysia: Yaty, Raksmey, Rady, Sovan, Rithy, Pancharong (Pheng 47), Sothearath, Chhoeun (PM Udom 84), Souhana (Saray 20), Laboravy, Soksana. Subs not used: Vichet, Daravorn, Phearith, Veasna, Dalin, Sokngorn.

Look of resignation

2011-11-12T11:31:00.004+07:00

Time to face the music for Lee Tae-Hoon

The look on the face of Lee Tae-Hoon, the national coach of Cambodia, at the final whistle of yesterday's 4-0 SEA Games defeat to Thailand, said it all. He looked glum and weary after another of his tactical howlers came unstuck. Thailand let Cambodia off the hook with just the four goals, the scoreline could've been a lot worse as Lee's attempts to restrict his opponents came undone at the seams. His decision to play an extra defender in a five-man midfield was horribly exposed as Pancharong was given the runaround and his midfield colleagues, Saray and Souhana were conspicuous by their complete absence from the action. Playing a five-man midfield can work with the right personnel but Lee's choices came back to haunt him again, much as they did in the previous matches against Indonesia and Singapore. The South Korean coach, who came into the competition on the back of a catalogue of disastrous results in his 14 months in charge, finally gave Keo Sokngorn a starting place against Thailand but had seen enough by half-time to take him off. That was after the Kratie-born youngster was given 20 minutes and 2 minutes against Indonesia and Singapore respectively. Sokngorn is one of two players in the Cambodian squad who can single-handedly turn a match, Khuon Laboravy is the other, but under Lee's reign, he doesn't know whether he's coming or going and coupled with a foot injury that required injections just before the SEA Games began, Sokngorn's presence has been wasted. Lee did the same to Khim Borey a while back, calling him up for matches and then sitting him in the stand and on the bench, and then incredulously failed to invite him to Jakarta for this competition. Without his attacking talent, Cambodia have looked toothless in front of goal and another selection clanger has come home to roost. Lee instead opted for Phoung Soksana and Laboravy as his main attacking threats, though Laboravy's two yellow cards aginst Singapore, meant he sat out yesterday's game. On his own, Soksana looked lost and woefully short of international pedigree, as did too many in the Cambodian line-up yesterday. I feel for Soun Veasna, who had a good season for Preah Khan Reach last term but under Lee has merited just a 2 minute cameo in this SEA Games so far. With Chhun Sothearath suspended, I would've thought Veasna, or the lesser-able Pov Phearith, would get the nod. But Lee had other ideas. He doesn't even trust his own players in their normal positions, instead giving defender Touch Pancharong the holding role in the middle of the park. Decisions like that smack of desperation and that's basically where Lee has arrived at in his management of the national team. He now has to select a line-up to face the reigning champions Malaysia on Sunday. He should make the most of it because it should be his last as the national coach, either by way of falling on his own sword and admitting enough is enough, being withdrawn by his paymasters (the Korean FA) or the Cambodian federation calling time on their misguided appointment of 14 months ago.

... and again

2011-11-11T19:05:00.007+07:00

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

Cambodia crash

2011-11-10T17:55:00.008+07:00

Cam U-23s v Singapore. Lost 2-1. Back Row LtoR: Laboravy, Sovan, Sothearath, Soksana, Raksmey, Rithy. Front Row: Saray, Souhan, Yaty, Chhoeun, Pancharong

I'm just in the door after six days away and catching up on the SEA Games results. Obviously I'm disappointed that Cambodia have begun the competition with two defeats but am I surprised, obviously not. The 6-0 thrashing by Indonesia on Monday was to be expected, with the home team on a high at the start of their competition and in front of a sell-out crowd. They whipped in four goals in a 15-minute spell in the 1st half and that was game over. Lee Tae-Hoon decided to start with the inexperienced Sos Souhana, leaving Keo Sokngorn and Sok Pheng on the bench. In goal he went with Sou Yaty, whilst Pheak Rady got the nod over Lay Raksmey at full back. Aside from Chhun Sothearath, the midfield looked lightweight in the extreme and Indonesia must've thought Christmas had come early. Last night Cambodia played their 2nd match in the Group of Death - Group A and lost out 2-1 to Singapore after taking the lead with a flukey cross from Chhin Chhoeun that sailed over the head of the goalkeeper and in at the far post on 35 minutes. At least Cambodia will go home with a goal in their goals scored column if little else. As you'd expect, Singapore rallied in the 2nd half and netted twice to sink Cambodia's hopes of a surprise result. To add to their misery, skipper Khuon Laboravy got a 2nd yellow card and a red one to boot in the final minute. The only change that Lee Tae-Hoon made to his starting line-up was bringing in Raksmey for Rady. Cambodia play Thailand tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm in the third of their four matches. I would expect the coach to make changes, to at least start with Sokngorn, or what was the point in taking him in the first place. I'd also give starts to Soun Veasna and Sok Pheng, in place of Souhana and Soksana, and Yaty needs a rest after picking the ball out of the net 8 times in two games, so Um Vichet should get the nod this time around. Thailand lost 2-1 to Malaysia in their only game so far, so they'll be gunning for a win from the first whistle tomorrow, so Cambodia's tactics will need to reflect that.

Final 20

2011-11-04T22:18:00.004+07:00

Will this be the starting line-up on Monday? I hope not.

The Cambodian U-23 squad list of 20 players for the SEA Games has finally seen the light of day, with the players travelling to Jakarta tomorrow and meeting Indonesia in their first match on Monday. The players to get the nod from South Korean head coach Lee Tae-Hoon are as follows:
Goalkeepers: Sou Yaty, Um Vichet.
Defenders: Sok Sovan, Sok Rithy, Lay Raksmey, Pheak Rady, Moul Daravorn, Touch Pancharong, Samuth Dalin.
Midfield: Suon Veasna, Pov Phearith, Chhun Sothearath, Tum Saray, Prak Monu Udom, Chin Chhoeurn, Sos Souhana, Phoung Soksana.
Strikers: Sok Pheng, Khuon Laboravy, Keo Sokngorn.
Do I agree with the coaches' final pick? As far as it goes, most of them pick themselves with the exception of half a dozen players, who I don't believe will cut the mustard at this level of international competition. My gut feeling is that we will end up getting thumped by all four of our opponents. I sincerely hope that won't happen, but I wouldn't bet against it. You need tactical nous at this level of high octane regional rivalry and I don't believe the coach possesses anywhere near enough to prevent his team being handed a footballing lesson or four. Indonesia are first up, followed by Singapore, Thailand and then reigning football champions Malaysia; all four of them are desperate for regional success and all four will expect to beat Cambodia comprehensively at this level. If I had to select the starting XI from the 20-man squad then I would go for: Yaty, Raksmey, Rady, Sovan, Rithy, Veasna, Sothearath, PM Udom, Sokngorn, Laboravy, Pheng.