Favourite son comes home

Kouch Sokumpheak - the best of his generation

Touted by many as the best homegrown talent of his generation, Phnom Penh Crown striker Kouch Sokumpheak will be going home when his club competes in next week's Hun Sen Cup Group D matches in Kompong Thom. Sokumpheak was born in Kompong Thom 23 years ago, educated at Balaing High School in the provincial capital and will relish the opportunity to ply his trade in front of family and friends as Crown face Neak Khiev aka Blue Dragons, hosts Kompong Thom and Baksey Chamkrong in the space of six days.
The Hun Sen Cup has been a fertile competition for Sokumpheak in the last few years. In 2009, whilst playing for Khemara Keila, he top scored with 21 goals including 10 against Arizon, in a game in which he was also red-carded. Last season, he again picked-up the top scorer's award and pay-cheque with 18 goals in the competition, tying with Crown's Srey Veasna. For the 2011 edition, Sokumpheak has switched his allegiances to Crown after five years with Khemara, and will be looking to pick up another winners medal, something he did with Khemara in 2007, where he netted a penalty in their cup success over Naga. Sokumpheak has been a regular fixture in Cambodia's national team since making his international debut in the 2006 AFC Challenge Cup matches in Bangladesh.