With confidence on the rise after beating Hong Kong and fans back home clamouring for a first-ever win against the Thais, the
Cambodian U-22 team went into yesterday's second match in the AFC U-22 Asian Cup qualifiers with more hope than usual. Sadly, a 4-0 reversal to the Thailand U-22s in the Laos capital of Vientiane sent hopes and dreams crashing and restored some semblance of normality. Quite simply, the Thais were too strong and scored twice around the half-hour mark, then finished the job with two goals in the last twenty minutes. Sok Sovan and Chea Samnang were left out of the starting line-up but will likely return for the next match, on Thursday, against group leaders China, who brushed aside Hong Kong 5-1. North Korea overcame the hosts, Laos 2-1. So its back to the drawing board for Prak Sokmony to lift his team ahead of their toughest task, with matches against North Korea (Saturday) and Laos (Tuesday) to follow. I must admit the defeat against the Thais came as no surprise.
8 comments:
Andy, I agree with you. No surprise!
Nimol
Andy, do you wish this normality? I think you're so pessimistic on the FFC. Criticism is your right but I love to see your constructive critic.
Anon 10:40AM,
I wish Cambodia to be the best team in Asia! But I have to be realistic. I have been involved closely in Cambodian football for the last few years, so I have my opinion on pretty much everything that happens. I prefer to be constructive with my criticism where possible, and I call it as I see it.
I have been very disappointed with the lack of improvement in the last few years and the decision-making by the governing body. I don't see the country's football progressing as quickly as it should. Which is why you suggest I am pessimistic, but I prefer to call it being realistic and challenging everyone to do better and not accept the status quo. If we accept that we will not progress.
There is a history here of doing what you are told to do and not questioning authority; that must change if we are to break into a new era of professionalism in football. If we continue down the old path we will never challenge our neighbours supremacy. We have to break the mould and revitalise our football before we get left too far behind.
Mr. Brouwer, I'm a fan of Cambodian football. I heard about this Australian-Cambodian player William Neou, do you know anything about him?
I heard the name but I don't know anything about him. There are many Khmers living abroad, some of who play football. However that doesn't mean they are good enough to play for the national team!
Anyone who is recommended as a potential national player should submit a video of themselves and be prepared to come for a series of test sessions with the national squad coaches, at their own cost.
The coaches in charge of the squad should not take on a player without going through those two requirements at the very least in my opinion.
Andy,Do u think i'm right?The tactic of the coach is important.why Cams always lose to thais?i've watched many football matches in europe.do u believe it?Chelsea can sent Barce home and beat Bayern in final in CL,Greece can send Russia home and England gave hard time for Italy by 0-0 draw in euro 2012 as for examples.why did they achieve these success?.the tactic surely.Why Camb could not beat thai?i see the formation we use on afc web as we use 3 strikers(4 3 3) why we don't learn from examples above?when we meet the favourite we must use defensiue line up and make counter attack for the goal. The coach must be farmilia with this tactic. Do u agree ,Andy? SEYLA
Seyla, the tactics and set up of the team is paramount to success or failure. That is the coach's job to set up his team for each game, using his preferred line-up against his opponents. If he knows his opponents strengths and weaknesses he will build that into the preparation. If he doesn't then he needs to set up his team to be strong defensively at all times and then be able to determine the quality of opposition as the game proceeds and to guide his team through the match, making changes in formation, style or personnel as the match progresses. Formations like 433 or 442 are fluid these days, it depends on the players and the coach to be using the same football language. Players must have the ability to change their game too. The coach can be the best coach on the planet, but if his team do not follow his instructions, or they simply aren't good enough compared to their opponents, then even the best coach will not win.
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