Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Real tester

The Cambodia national team praying for a good performance against Philippines
The Cambodian national team have their first real test ahead of the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying games in early October when they take on the visiting Philippines team, who are in the middle of what appears to be a world tour. They are literally playing everywhere and anyone ahead of their own Suzuki Cup games later this year. The match takes place at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on Wednesday with a 6pm kick-off under floodlights - exactly what the fans want to see, evening matches under lights. Let's hope the lights are bright enough. The test for Hok Sochetra's team is a tough one, even on their home turf. The Philippines have been improving in giant leaps over the past couple of years since they decided on an influx of players who are plying their trade abroad. Take their goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for example. He's with Fulham in the Barclays Premier. Their federation have decided on an international approach to their training and playing, with training camps overseas and a series of friendly matches designed to pit their team against different styles of opponents. So the test for Sochetra's Cambodia line-up will be intriguing. The coach has had his squad in training boot-camp for the last few days, after holding three sessions a week for the past couple of months, and playing a glut of matches against local club opposition. Tomorrow he gets to test his formation and his tactics against a senior international opponent for the first time. His team selection will be crucial. Four Phnom Penh Crown players are in the national squad - Khim Borey, Tieng Tiny, Sos Suhana and Sok Pheng. They will rejoin their home club after tomorrow's game to prepare for the AFC President's Cup later this month.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

What do you expect, Andy? I think at least the result will be better than Korean coach.

Anonymous said...

any tv live ? And when a match vs french-khmer team? Any f-k player include in national squad you hope?

Andy Brouwer said...

The national team haven't exactly shone against the local club sides in friendlies, but he's been toying with his line-ups. It will be a tough ask against PHILS as they've been working hard at getting together a squad that is well used to each other with overseas training camps and lots of friendly matches. They will be better equipped than the Cam team tonight I believe. PHILS will likely win in my opinion.

I thought tonight's game was live on MYTV.
The match between the Cam national team and the Euro-Khmers is on 13 Sept I thought. It will be interesting to see if any Euro-Khmers are good enough, as they have widened the net from the last time they came over here, but they would have to be outstanding to make the national squad or persuade Sochetra that they deserved a place. I think the chances of that are slim.

Anonymous said...

do u know the line up against phi tonight? I think it's a strong line up.

Andy Brouwer said...

I've been trying to guess the line-up for Cambodia... but will bring a report from the match later tonight, once I've digested the match :-)

Anonymous said...

When can Kouch Sokumpheak and Ravy play for the team and their clubs, Andy??? Without them, the game isn't exciting for Cambodia's side.

Andy Brouwer said...

I think with both players you are looking at 6 months out of the game at least. They both had similar knee operations in Vietnam (same doctor) and it all depends on their recovery and then rehabilitation period, but 6 months at least is what they were told. Yes they are two of the most exciting players in Cambodia.