Diary dates

A few dates for your diary. The Metfone Cambodian League will begin on 25 March 2015 according to an announcement from the football federation. That of course depends on whether the new Olympic Stadium pitch will be ready in time. The grass will be torn up sometime this month and with the help of a $500,000 infusion of FIFA money, a new artificial grass surface will be laid. It should be ready by late February we are told. Because of the work taking place, the Hun Sen Cup rounds involving C-League teams will be played at the Army Stadium and they will begin from 8 January 2015 as a season precursor. There is still no word about the play-off dates for the Division 1A teams and the two clubs that finished at the foot of the C-League table in July. Albirex Niigata have been in serious training since the regular season ended and have signed a number of players from other clubs including former Crown players Noeu Sosela, San Narith and Men Seyha. They are determined to retain their C-League status. There is no word from Kirivong, whose key players have already moved onto other clubs. With the advent of home & away for some clubs in the 20-14 C-League, Svay Rieng have announced a four-team tournament (the three invited teams are from adjoining provinces in Vietnam) over the Water Festival in November period to open their new stadium in the province. The latest news from Phnom Penh Crown's new RSN Stadium is that they are well into the swing of building their new grandstand and have begun work on their new playing surface in the past week. They are targeting the end of the year to complete all the major building works, including seating on all four sides of the stadium in Tuol Kork.