Work in progress

The Cambodia starting XI: [Back row LtoR] Raksmey, Rithy, Bunchhay, Rady, Bunhieng, Pheng [front] Sothearath, Borey, Chanrasmey, Chhoeurn, Sophal Udom

I took time out to watch the Cambodian national team in the 2nd of their friendly warm-up games against the local Cambodian League teams this afternoon at Olympic Stadium, and it wasn't pretty. The final result against a much-altered Army line-up was 1-1 and to be honest there wasn't much between the two teams. After a 2-nil win over Kirivong on Saturday, the national team coach Lee Tae-Hoon fielded his second choice team from the start and they were soon behind to an Army strike on 14 minutes after Rim Bunhieng was brushed aside. Apart from two Khim Borey attempts on goal that was about the sum of the action in the opening half. After the break, a stronger line-up took the game to the Defense Ministry and kept their keeper at full stretch to deny Phuong Soksana and Sam El Nasa. However, he wasn't able to reach a neat far post header from Kouch Sokumpheak for the equaliser six minutes after the interval, ending a great run and deep cross from San Nairth. On 75 minutes the referee felt Tieng Tiny used his elbow to shield the ball in the corner and flashed a red card, much to everyone's surprise. A minute later an angry Lee Tae-Hoon waved his players off the pitch and remonstrated with referee Kao Makara. He then changed his mind and sent his players out again, to finish the game with 10-men, with Sokumpheak playing the last fifteen minutes at left-back. It was a nondescript showing by the national team though the coach explained before the kick-off that he is slowly rebuilding his squad. "We are rebuilding for the future. I'm having a look at everyone with games against all the clubs. Everyone has a chance to impress me. I may change the players after I look (at everyone)," said the South Korean coach. The Cambodian team were better after the break but still a very long way short of where they will want to be as they approach the AFC Challenge Cup qualifying matches in February. They meet South Korea's Ulsan University this coming Sunday, kick-off at 3pm, at Olympic and will continue their build-up with more games against C-League opposition.
The players who were on show for the national team today were:
(1st half); Bunchhay, Raksmey, Rady, Bunhieng, Rithy, Sothearath, Chanrasmey, Chhoeurn, Sophal Udom, Borey, Pheng.
(2nd half); Mic, Raksmey, Narith, Yang, Tiny, Sopanha, Prak Mony Udom, Soksana, Sokumpheak, El Nasa, Laboravy. Sub not used: Simay.

Cambodia coach Lee Tae-Hoon (blue shirt) giving last minute instructions to his squad

Shellito is the man

Ken Shellito, Crown's new Ambassador

Phnom Penh Crown are doing things properly. Not only have they brought in a European coach for their forthcoming season ahead, as well as signing some of the very best talent on offer in the country, but they are planning for the future of football in Cambodia. Their Elite Football Academy, which will begin in earnest at the start of the new year, is a major development in guaranteeing that the future of Cambodian football is moving forward in a positive fashion. They are trendsetters and it's up to the others to catch up, or be left very far behind. In line with doing things the right way, Crown have secured the services of a high profile Ambassador for the new Academy, who will be join the Academy coaches and players for coaching sessions as often as possible next year. It's none other than former England international and Chelsea manager, Ken Shellito, who lives in Malaysia and now works for the Asian Football Confederation. Ken came over to help in the final trials a few weeks ago and was delighted to accept the offer of more involvement next year. The Academy will begin in January when 22 youngsters arrive from the provinces to begin the first residential programme in Cambodia's history.

Outtakes

Nick Sells has sent me a couple of outtakes from yesterday's photo-call, taken before Phnom Penh Crown met the Navy at the club's Tuol Kork training ground. Just before the players and coaching staff broke ranks to do their pre-game warm-up, I kept them in formation so I could join the photo, and here is the result. It'll be something to show my grandchildren. I'm the scruffy one on the far left. In the one below, I was the guinea-pig for a photo of each player on one knee, something a few of them found hard to manage. I look miserable due to the searingly hot sun.

Snap happy

Crown line-up for the camera today. [Back row LtoR] Obadin, Sovan, Narith, Virath, Bunna, Bunchhay, Visokra, Sophat, Pheng, Dara, Njoku, Tiny: [front] Sopanha, Narong, Vanthan, Sothearith, Borey, Chaya, Sokumpheak, Virak, Rathanak, Ratana.

My old Phnom Penh Post pal Nick Sells paid a visit to the Phnom Penh Crown training ground this afternoon to do the honours and snap away merrily as we arranged a player's photo call before the start of this afternoon's friendly against the Navy. All the players were there excluding Sani Saidu who is in Malaysia after his contract with the club came to an end. Nick did individual portrait head and shoulders shots first, before getting the players out into the sun for more individual pictures and finally a team photo, without and then with the coaching team. A couple of scallywags had the wrong socks on and the variety of rainbow colours of playing boots these days added a splash of colour to the photos. I took a couple of photos as well, and above is my team photo without the coaching team. Below are the 7 Crown players, getting instructions from coach Bojan Hodak, who will join up with the Cambodian national team for a week's training from Monday morning. The national squad are together for a month playing a series of practice matches though Crown are only allowing their players to join the squad for a week of that because of the importance of the club's own pre-season programme.

Crown coach Bojan Hodak gives some pointers to his 7 Cambodian national team players

Crown atop the Navy

Kingsley Njoku, 2nd right, collects his 1st goal in a Crown shirt against the Navy today

Phnom Penh Crown played their 2nd friendly of their pre-season programme on their own Tuol Kork training pitch this afternoon, defeating a plucky Navy team 2-1, with all the goals scored in the 1st half. With Khim Borey nursing a slight strain, the rest of the Crown squad were given a run-out with wholesale changes at half-time. Kouch Sokumpheak registered his 1st goal for his new club on 17 minutes when he neatly dragged back a pass from Sun Sopanha, held off a defender and rolled his shot under the advancing keeper. His strike partner, Kingsley Njoku, who had missed a couple of good chances, made no mistake with his next opportunity on 26 minutes. Sokumpheak's header sent Hong Ratana away and his left foot cross found Njoku with time to control, drag the ball away from a defender before firing it into an empty net. A few minutes later he also smashed a drive against the crossbar, but only after the Navy's Meas Sopanha had reduced the arrears, after a sloppy piece of Crown defending. Five minutes before the half-time break, Sokumpheak was upended in the box only for Sun Sopanha's penalty kick to be saved by the legs of keeper Pov Raksa.
After the break, a new look Crown line-up with just Odion Obadin and Tieng Tiny staying on the pitch, dominated their opponents. The Navy didn't manage a shot on target after the interval, but Crown were guilty of some wasted chances with Sok Pheng and Phoung Narong finding Pov Raksa in great shot-stopping form in the Navy goal, whilst Chea Virath, San Narith and Chan Chaya all fired wide when well-placed. Crown coach Bojan Hodak declared himself pleased with the improvement shown from their last game, with better passing on show, his players won their 50/50 tackles, they created lots of chances, though the finishing was not as good as he would've wished.
PPCFC line-up: Bunchhay (Visokra 45), Dara (Sovan 45), Sothearith (Vanthan 45), Tiny, Obadin, Sopanha (Narong 45), Sophat (Narith 45), Ratana (Virak 45), Rathanak (Virath 45), Njoku (Chaya 45), Sokumpheak (Pheng 45).
7 of the Crown squad - Bunchhay, Tiny, Sopanha, Narith, Borey, Sokumpheak, Pheng - will link-up with their Cambodian national team colleagues on Monday morning. The national team got together at the start of last week but Crown are in the midst of their important pre-season programme so decided to release their players for just the week leading up to the national team's friendly against South Korea's Ulsan University on Sunday 5th December. The national team are playing a series of practice matches against Cambodian league teams this month and met Kirivong this afternoon at Olympic Stadium, winning 2-nil. They are due to play Phnom Penh Crown on Friday 17th December at Olympic.

Sun Sopanha's penalty kick is saved by the legs of Navy keeper Pov Raksa

Coach Bojan Hodak gives his team a half-time recap on the 1st half

Crown striker Sok Pheng fires over the cross-bar in the 2nd half. The new dorms for the Academy are behind the action.

Assistant coach Vann Piseth translates the words of coach Bojan Hodak to the players before today's match

It's quick sprints to get the juices flowing before today's pre-season warm-up game for Tes Sophat and Tieng Tiny

Crown meet Police

Phnom Penh Crown will meet the Military Police team in a practice match at 3pm on Saturday 27th November at Crown's own Tuol Kork training headquarters, as they continue their pre-season build-up to the Hun Sen Cup competition that will begin in early January.
Update: The Police have pulled out with injuries and absentees and so the Navy team will now be the opponents for Crown on Saturday, same place, same time.

Cup roster

The registration deadline for clubs entering the Hun Sen Cup has now passed. Even though the competition doesn't begin until the 2nd week of January 2011, the FFC have demanded that all clubs submit their player rosters, which is a pain for each team as there's still a month and a half to go until the cup matches begin. It also means that players who haven't yet hooked up with a club will not be able to play in the Khmer-only pre-season cup competition.
Phnom Penh Crown have submitted their list and it contains the following players:
Peng Bunchhay, Hong Visokra, Nim Bunna, Chan Dara, Thul Sothearith, Tieng Tiny, Soeng Vanthan, Sok Sovan, San Narith, Sun Sopanha, Tes Sophat, Hong Ratana, Phoung Narong, Chim Rathanak, Chea Virath, Khim Borey, Kouch Sokumpheak, Chan Chhaya, Sok Pheng, Suong Virak.
There are no foreign players on the roster as the competition is for Khmer players only. You may notice that two regular names from last season are not in the listing, namely Keo Sokngorn and Srey Veasna. Both players came to the end of their contract after the end of last season and have decided to ply their trade elsewhere in the coming season. Srey Veasna was last seen heading to Thailand whilst Sokngorn may be playing for his hometown team Kratie, if rumours are to be believed. Also on the move in the break were Crown's foreign trio from last season, Uche Prince Justine, Oscar Mpoko and Friday Nwakuna. It looks like all three of them will be playing overseas next year.
I've also heard that the Cambodia national team are planning on getting their squad together for a month leading up to the end of the year, ahead of their AFC Challenge Cup qualification round matches against Macau, home and away, on 9 and 16 February 2011. I believe the intention is to play a series of friendly games against the C-League club teams, who are currently in training for the Hun Sen Cup competition. There's definitely a conflict of interests here as on the one hand, the clubs will want a full pre-season together for their players to gel ahead of the start of the Hun Sen Cup, whilst the national team coach Lee Tae-Hoon wants the league's best players in camp, gearing themselves up to face Macau. Phnom Penh Crown for example had six players in the last international line-up against the Philippines, whilst PKR had five. Something will have to give.

Virak incoming

Crown newbie Suong Virak, snapped up from the Army

Phnom Penh Crown have captured exciting wingman Suong Virak from the Army as they bolster their squad ahead of the registration deadline for clubs competing in the Hun Sen Cup, that kicks off in early January. Why clubs have to get their playing lists in now, with the tournament a month and a half away, is beyond me. Anyway, Virak, who's 19 years old, is a speedy gonzales type of player, tricky, direct, runs at defenders which they hate and can finish well, on occasions, too. He will be a good addition to the squad. With a much reduced squad in terms of numbers for the forthcoming season, with the club concentrating on quality not quantity, coach Bojan Hodak still has room for a couple more signings before his squad is complete.

Hun Sen kick-off

I've heard a couple of start dates for the Hun Sen Cup, the pre-cursor to the Metfone C-League season in Cambodia and also a rumour that the C-League season won't start until May. Then a Chinese news agency of all things confirmed that 36 clubs have put forward their applications to join the cup competition, which will begin on 13 January 2011. It says the prize money for the winners will be $10K. FFC President HE Sao Sokha commented; "The match is sponsored by charities, businessmen, football fans, kind people who love and support the game and people who love Prime Minister Hun Sen" You heard it here first, well 2nd as the Chinese news agency reported it 1st. They are expecting a few more teams to submit entries before the deadline. The holders are the Army, who began last season in a whirlwind, taking the cup with a 3-2 win over Phnom Penh Crown in the final and then going like a train in the league, only to run out of steam and disappoint everyone in the 2nd half of the campaign. Foreign players are not allowed to play in the Hun Sen Cup so its local talent only on show. The early rounds are played in the provinces before the latter stages take place in Phnom Penh. Before and during the Hun Sen Cup, you can expect the Cambodian national team to play some friendly games as they meet Macau, home and away, in the AFC Challenge Cup qualification round, on 9 and 16 February 2011. By the way, their friendly against Indonesia, scheduled for next week, has been cancelled.

Stars of the future

One of the 22, Theam Chhaya comes from Sihanoukville

Phnom Penh Crown certainly hope that the 22 youngsters they have selected for the first draft of their Elite Football Academy will become footballing stars of the future. There's no guarantee that just because they are amongst the most talented boys at under-13 level from across the country, that they will become the next Wayne Rooney of Cambodian football. But Crown's team of Academy coaches will be doing their best to instill the skills, techniques and desire required to enable the boys to give it their best shot. The Academy will begin in January when the boys converge on Crown's training headquarters at Tuol Kork from their homes all around the country to start their two-year residential programme, designed to enhance their footballing talent as well as providing them with a high standard of education. It was made clear to the youngsters when the 22 were revealed late on Sunday afternoon, that both elements of the programme are as important as each other. So who are the names we must look out for in the future? Here's the list of the 22 players who've been picked to join the 1st residential Academy in Cambodia's fledgling youth development programme:
Pheurn Sopkeak, Orn Chanpolin, Pov Bunvuthy. En Sodavid, Chheng Pisal (all Phnom Penh), Yue Muslim, Res Slaiman (Prek Kdam), Pech Sovanarath (Kompong Chhnang), Men Piphob, Ok Sovanna (Pursat), Nak Samnang, Ratha Phearon, Soun Neout (Battambang), Saveng Samnang (Banteay Meanchey), Kdey Barang (Siem Reap), Nob Devid (Kandal), Ken Chansopheak (Takeo), Theam Chhaya, Choun Chanchay (Sihanoukville), Kim Chhaya, Mat Saravy (Koh Kong), Srang Titchhy (Stung Treng).

This is Kdey Barang, the only successful trialist from Siem Reap

One of five boys from Phnom Penh to make it through, this is En Sodavid

Ok Sovanna hails from Pursat Province and made the final 22

Academy head coach Bouy Dary alongwith former national team boss Scott O'Donell (wearing cap) instructs the trialistsDetermination is etched on the faces of the youngsters on trial

AFC coach and analyst and former Chelsea manager Ken Shellito (left) talks to FFC Vice President Khiev Sameth

They can dream

The 40 boys and PPC club coaches line up for the camera at today's final Academy trials

I've just spent the afternoon watching 40 young boys give absolutely everything they had to earn themselves a place in the final 22, the number that Phnom Penh Crown will draft into their first Elite Football Academy. The fortunate 22 were elated but it was great to see how much they consoled the boys that didn't make it. The 18 boys that won't be part of the two year residential programme will still become part of the PPC Academy and will be invited to come to the capital for coaching every couple of months and on school holidays. Just because they didn't make the elite 22 doesn't mean they will be forgotten. Afterall, these are the best of the under-13 age talent across the country after PPC conducted trials in 17 locations across Cambodia. They've left no stone unturned in their search for the cream of Cambodia's future footballing talent. And it showed during the matches I watched this afternoon. Take it from me, some of these boys are very talented individuals. They will spend the next two years getting quality coaching every morning and attending private school in the afternoons. They'll live out at the PPC training facility in Tuol Kork in specially-built dorms from January. This is a wonderful opportunity, the first of its kind in Cambodia, for these youngsters who want to follow their dreams of becoming the next Rooney, Ronaldo or Messi. To ensure the final selection over this weekend was fair, Crown invited English coaches from Malaysia (ex Chelsea manager Ken Shellito) and New Zealand (Graham McMann) to join the local coaches in assisting the boys during the trials and making the final decisions this afternoon. The diversity of locations where the boys currently live, is a great example of how widespread Crown's net has been cast with players in the final 22 coming from Phnom Penh, Kompong Chhnang, Pursat, Battambang, Banteay Meanchey, Siem Reap, Kandal, Sihanoukville, Koh Kong and Stung Treng.

One of the successful 22, ten-year-old Nob Devid from Kandal

Ok Sovanna from Pursat (black) heads a goal during one of this afternoon's trial games

Online interviews

PPC coach Bojan Hodak keeps tabs on his new team

I've tracked down a couple of online football interviews. The first is with new Phnom Penh Crown coach Bojan Hodak, from June 2008, when he was the subject of the focus by Malaysia's Star Online. Click here to read more. The second is with former Cambodian national coach Scott O'Donell who was recently talking to Australia's NineMSN. You can read the interview here though the most telling comments relating to Cambodian football are as follows. "I didn't think the federation were serious about the development of football, and in particular the apparent lack of interest in the national team," O'Donell said. "They are getting left behind the rest of the region and they will not catch up until they focus on developing the youth players from an early age. Countries like Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia all have relatively successful youth development programs which involve giving the kids opportunities to play regularly and receive qualified coaching from a young age. Cambodia has done very little in regards to youth development." I'm pleased to report that Phnom Penh Crown are doing their bit to begin a serious tilt at youth development with their Elite Football Academy undergoing its final trials this weekend. From tomorrow, PPC will have 22 under-13 players ready to start on their journey to becoming professional footballers.

In pictures

"Let me paint you a picture," says coach Bojan Hodak before yesterday's friendly game

Here are some more photographs from Phnom Penh Crown's first game of their pre-season programme, a 2-0 win over the touring French-Khmer Select XI at Olympic Stadium thanks to goals from Sun Sopanha (2 minutes) and Tieng Tiny (92 minutes).

The PPC players warm-up before the game under the watchful eye of the head coach

Kouch Sokumpheak meets the French Embassy rep before kick-off

PPCFC President Rithy Samnang meets the man he's just appointed as head coach, Bojan Hodak

PPC players wait for the formalities to end; LtoR: Sothearith, Bunchhay, Narith, Rathanak, Sokumpheak

LtoR: Rathanak, Sokumpheak, Ratana, Dara, Sopanha, Tiny

LtoR: Sopanha, Tiny, Borey Saidu, Pheng, Sophat

LtoR: Pheng, Sophat, Chhaya, Sovan, Visokra, Virath

LtoR: Visokra, Virath, Njoku, Obadin, Vanthan

LtoR; Vanthan, Narong, Socheat (kit), Vanny (goalkeeper coach), Sophorn (physio), Sour (doctor)

LtoR: Vanny, Sophorn, Sour, Piseth (asst coach), Bojan Hodak (head coach)

I'm sure the French Embassy rep only closed his eyes for a few seconds. Ex Chelsea manager Ken Shellito is behind him.

Crown success

PPCFC starting line-up. LtoR: (back) Sopanha, Tiny, Dara, Bunchhay, Ratana, Saidu; (front) Narith, Rathanak, Borey, Sokumpheak, Sothearith (capt).

Phnom Penh Crown made heavy weather of beating their France-based compatriots 2-nil at Olympic Stadium this afternoon and will need to improve in the eyes of their new head coach Bojan Hodak. "I was happy with the result, we won 2-0 and restricted them to one serious shot on goal, but I'm not happy with how we played." The Croatian-born coach identified a few areas needing improvement. "Physically we weren't up to scratch, but I expected that as we've done only fitness tests so far. We're at about 40% of where we need to be but we have 7-8 weeks to get into shape, more than enough time," he said. "Our creativity was poor, technically we are behind where I want to be, our passing will need to improve and our movement without the ball wasn't good enough. But the attitude from the boys was good and we will get much better with a full pre-season behind us," stated the head coach at the final whistle. He also felt that the Olympic Stadium pitch would really benefit from a large roller to rid the surface of some awkward bounces seen during the match.

The highlights of the match against the French-Khmer Select XI occurred at the start and at the end. In between there honestly wasn't much to write home about. On two minutes, Sun Sopanha opened the scoring when he arrowed in a 20-yard free-kick that evaded the defensive wall and the despairing dive of keeper Bun Tea who could only fingertip it into the roof of the net. The free-kick was awarded when Frederic Perrin upended Khim Borey and it was the Cambodian international who should've done better on a hat-trick of occasions later in the game. In a scrappy first-half, Hong Ratana sent a diving header over the crossbar and Borey screwed a shot across the face of goal as Crown kept possession without really forcing the pace. After the break, with Hodak making 4 substitutions before the restart, Crown increased their goal threat but failed to find the target until 2 minutes into time added on. Central defender Tieng Tiny took advantage of Sopanha's absence from the field by taking control of a 20-yard free-kick to send a raking low drive through the wall and past Bun Tea. The French-Khmer goalkeeper had floored a rampaging Kingsley Njoku for the free-kick and in a competitive game would've been shown a red card for his last-man late tackle.

Khim Borey had two good opportunities to get on the scoresheet but showed his rustiness in front of goal. On 54 minutes he swayed his hips past three defenders but smashed his shot well over the crossbar, and on 70 minutes, he touched the ball around Bun Tea but lost his balance, sending his drive high and wide. The tourists from France, all of whom have Khmer ancestry, rallied briefly towards the end and lanky substitute Tarek Rezgui walloped a shot against the cross-bar with seven minutes to go, though that was the sum total of their attacking intent in the whole match. Tes Sophat, on trial, was his usual busy self in midfield for Crown, who gave a run out to their two new Nigerian signings, Kingsley Njoku and Odion Obadin in the 2nd half.
Crown line-up; Peng Bunchhay, Chan Dara, Thul Sothearith, Tieng Tiny, Sani Saidu (Odion Obadin 45); San Narith (Kingsley Njoku 45), Sun Sopanha (Tes Sophat 45), Hong Ratana (Sok Pheng 76), Chim Rathanak ( Chea Virath 45); Khim Borey, Kouch Sokumpheak (Chan Chhaya 62). Subs not used: Hong Visokra, Soeung Vanthan, Sok Sovan, Phoung Narong.
The teams were introduced to the French Embassy representative before the start of the match and the game was played in a good spirit with Chan Dara picking up the only booking for a late challenge just before the break. Crown gave a start to young winger Chim Rathanak who has been sidelined for two years with a knee problem.

The two teams join together in the spirit of pre-match friendship

As the sun beats down, the PPC starting line up wait to exchange flowers

PPC President Rithy Samnang greets his own players before kick-off

Crown coaches Vann Piseth and Bojan Hodak (right) speak to the media after the match

Important weekend ahead

The Phnom Penh Post in Khmer announces the arrival of Bojan Hodak

Above is the bones of the press release we put out about the arrival of coach Bojan Hodak and the new players in the Khmer language edition of the Phnom Penh Post. The Cambodia Daily, who rarely cover football, are sending out a journalist to do a feature on the final trials of the PPCFC Elite Football Academy that is taking place on Saturday and Sunday in Cheng Meng. Whilst on the subject of the Academy trials, being attended by 40 of the best U13 players in the country, from which 22 will be selected to join the first-ever residential football academy in Cambodia, PPC have invited two coaches from overseas to join the selection process. Former England international and Chelsea manager Ken Shellito, who is a coach and analyst for the Asian Football Confederation will be assisting as will Graham McMann, Chief Scout with the Asia Pacific Football Academy in New Zealand, PPC's partners in the Academy. He previously coached at Burnley and in the USA and New Zealand. The trials should be completed by the middle of the afternoon on Sunday and the best 22 youngsters selected for the 2 year residential course. An exciting time ahead for the club and the boys concerned.

At the training ground

The PPC coaching line-up: LtoR: Bojan Hodak (head coach), Hao Socheat (kitman), Prak Vanny (goalkeeping coach), Vann Piseth (assistant coach).

I spent a couple of hours at the Phnom Penh Crown training headquarters in Tuol Kork yesterday afternoon to speak to the new head coach, Bojan Hodak and some of the new arrivals to the club. All the players were in high spirits and finding it tough going, which always happens with pre-season training and after a lay-off. Some of the players like Kouch Sokumpheak haven't really stopped since the end of the season as they were involved in international duty, but he admitted to feeling the pace set by the new coach and his staff. Hodak felt the players weren't as fit as he'd like so that's one area he'll be working on initially. A few of the players who turned out for Crown last term and who haven't featured on the training pitch yet include talented youngster Keo Sokngorn, who has yet to decide on where his future lies, whilst Srey Veasna, Oscar Mpoko and Prince Justine have all sought pastures new in Thailand. Arriving in their place are the likes of Sokumpheak, Khim Borey and San Narith with goalkeeper Hong Visokra also joining the squad from Khemara alongwith two new Nigerian nationals from Singapore club Gombak United, Kingsley Njoku and Odion Obadin. You can expect more new faces to arrive as pre-season unfolds.

Kouch Sokumpheak, one of the most talented players in Cambodian football

Khim Borey has long been the darling of the nation's football fans for his goalscoring exploits

A regular name in the national team line-up, San Narith arrives from PKR

Bojan keeps a watchful eye on his troops

Vann Piseth, assistant coach, ensuring the players follow the fitness rules

Chan Chhaya will be hoping for improved fortunes this year under the new regime

Sok Pheng feeling the strain at the training sessions

The club's 3 Nigerian-born players in shot, as the squad prepares for Saturday's friendly

There's no slacking allowed under the gaze of the PPC coaches

Khim Borey (white short) puts his best foot forward in the training session