Bubble burst

Cambodia went down 3-0 to Vietnam. Pic courtesy Lim Vandy

The bubble burst in the final group game of Cambodia U-21s Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei this evening. Three victories and a single defeat had given Cambodia a chance to progress to the semis if they could beat Vietnam's highly-rated U-19 team. They couldn't. They went down 3-0. And their dreams were shattered. More precisely, the hopes of their fans were left in tatters, after the expectation had risen to serious levels on social media. It didn't look promising when the coach Lee Tae-Hoon's team selection was announced with captain Kouch Sokumpheak and Sos Suhana on the bench (tiredness was the reason for their exclusion), though Ngoy Srin and Thourng Da both returned after suspension. And promising it wasn't as Vietnam looked only marginally better in the opening half but took their chances to lead 2-0 with goals on the half-hour and with the final kick of the first-half. Both goals were scored by Ho Tuan Tai. They dominated the second period with Um Vichet forced to rescue his side on a few occasions, before Vietnam wrapped it up with ten minutes to go with Phan Van Long netting. 3-0 the final score. Vietnam would always be the toughest of the opposition, and so it proved. Cambodia now come home, with three wins and two defeats under their belts, financially better off after gifts from the FFC, BIDC and the Sultan, but with a sour taste in the mouth of many of their fans after promising so much, only to fail at the final hurdle. Cambodia v Vietnam: Vichet, Da, Samoeun, Sovan, Daravorn, Srin, Soksana, Pisor, Chhoeun, Udom, Borey.  Subs: Phearun, Sokumpheak, Suhana, Phallin, Vathanaka, Ravy, Tola.

Sokumpheak's goal is decisive

Cambodia v Indonesia, back row, LtoR: Samoeun, Udom, Vathanaka, Tola, Vichet, Sovan. Front: Phallin, Daravorn, Suhana, Pidor, Sokumpheak [pic Lim Vandy]

The Cambodian U-21s kept their hopes of qualifying for the semi-finals alive with their third win in four Group B matches in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei this afternoon. Up against the Indonesia U-19s, they weathered an early scare to lead by half-time and to hold onto their advantage, winning 2-1 at the final whistle. A victory in their final match against Vietnam on Monday evening would see them move into the semi-final stages of the competition. With Ngoy Srin and Thourng Da out through suspension, Sos Suhana was called into partner captain Kouch Sokumpheak in the middle of midfield. Goalkeeper Um Vichet made an early stop as Indonesia began brightly but it was Prak Mony Udom who went closest, smashing a shot against the foot of the upright on 15 minutes. Sokumpheak got the faintest of touches with his head to force a corner and moments later, Hoy Phallin's cross flicked off the head of Sok Sovan and crept into the corner on 22 minutes. Udom saw his free-kick tipped over the top but Indonesia were back in the game four minutes before the break. Cambodia failed to clear their lines and Vichet was beaten by a lob and as it rebounded off the cross-bar, Dimas had the easy task of nodding it into an empty net. Not to be denied, a minute before the break captain Sokumpheak was in the box to meet Udom's cross and got a lucky break as a defender's attempted cut-out caught him on the thigh and bounced over the goal-line. Cambodia were 2-1 ahead at the break. Indonesia missed a glorious chance early after the restart but that was it as far as chances were concerned, with play bogged down in midfield and Indonesia simply not good enough to break down the Cambodian defensive unit. An injury to Vichet when he hit his head on the ground, added six minutes of stoppage time, but they were never in danger as Cambodia claimed their third victory of the tournament.
Cambodia v Indonesia: Vichet, Samouen, Pidor, Sovan, Daravorn, Sokumpheak, Suhana (Soksana 58), Phallin, Udom, Vathanaka (Ravy 69), Tola (Borey 58). Subs not used: Phearun, Chhoeun.

Downed in the rain

A very wet Cambodian starting line-up v Malaysia

Torrential rain caused an interruption of tonight's Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy tie between Cambodia and Malaysia's U-21 teams, though the sides managed to complete the game on a sodden pitch, with Malaysia doing just enough to win 1-0. The temporary halt came after 18 minutes with the teams resuming and being unable to break the deadlock at the mid-way interval. The only goal of the game came on 66 minutes when substitute Asri Mardzuki made the difference to give Malaysia the winning strike. It took his team to the top of the group table with 7 points from three games, whilst Cambodia dropped to fourth, just a point behind. It was Cambodia's first loss after two successive victories over Brunei and Singapore. They now meet Indonesia on Saturday and then Vietnam in their final group game on Monday. Coach Lee Tae-Hoon changed his line-up from the 3-1 win over Singapore, bringing back keeper Um Vichet, Hoy Phallin in the middle and Phoung Soksana up front.
Cambodia v Malaysia: Vichet, Da, Samoeun, Sovan, Daravorn, Srin, Sokumpheak, Phallin, Udom, Vathanaka, Soksana. Subs: Phearun, Pidor, Borey, Suhana, Ravy, Tola, Chhoeun.

Cambodia skipper Kouch Sokumpheak exchanges pennants before the game begins

Two on the trot

Cambodia v Singapore, back row, LtoR: Udom, Daravorn, Vathanaka, Srin, Sovan, Sokumpheak (capt). Front: Tola, Chhoeun, Da, Phearun, Samoeun - courtesy of Sabay

Cambodia's U-21 team will be cock-a-hoop after their second successive win in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy this afternoon. They led by three clear goals at the break and eventually ran out 3-1 victors over a very young and inexperienced Singapore team. However, Cambodia won't mind that as this second victory will put them in a confident mood ahead of their three remaining fixtures. Coach Lee Tae-Hoon made three changes to his starting line-up after the 1-nil win over Brunei at the weekend. The Phnom Penh Crown trio of Sokumpheak, Srin and Da kept their places, with Sokumpheak again wearing the captain's armband. Those first-half goals came courtesy of Chan Vathanaka, Nob Tola and Prak Mony Udom, with Singapore scoring their consolation ten minutes after the restart. Vathanaka fired the first from a Prak Mony Udom pass inside the box on 22 minutes, Tola tapped in the second from a Sokumpheak lay-off on 37 minutes before Udom let fly from 25 yards into the top corner three minutes before the break. Singapore hit back with their own fierce drive on 55 minutes but there was no way back at the Berakas Sports Complex. So its onwards and upwards for the U-21s who now meet Malaysia on Wednesday. Cambodia v Singapore: Phearun, Da, Samoeun, Daravorn, Sovan, Srin, Sokumpheak, Udom, Chhoeun, Vathanaka, Tola. Subs: Vichet, Suhana, Ravy, Phallin, Borey, Pidor, Soksana.

Rare away success

Cam v Brunei, back row, LtoR: Udom, Srin, Sovan, Vichet, Soksana, Daravorn. Front: Samoeun, Da, Phallin, Vathanaka, Sokumpheak (capt) - click to enlarge

Kouch Sokumpheak, Phnom Penh Crown's captain, led out the Cambodia U-21 team in the first of their five Hassanal Bolkiah U-21 Trophy matches in Brunei, against the host nation, on Saturday evening. And thanks to a 15th minute goal from Chan Vathanaka, the Cambodia team will take a rare opening victory into their next game against Singapore on Monday. Victories on the road under Korean coach Lee Tae-Hoon have been few and far between, so the players will revel in this success, against the 2012 trophy winners and in front of a big home audience. Lee also included Crown's Ngoy Srin, in a deep-lying midfield role, and Thourng Da at right-back, in the starting line-up, with Sos Suhana, a non-playing substitute. In the 2012 edition of the HBT Cambodia lost all of their matches, so this first game success will be very welcome by players and fans alike. Video of the match revealed that the home team made it hard for themselves, conceding a soft goal on 15 minutes and then having to play with 10-men for the last thirty minutes. Vathanaka tried a long range effort from 30 yards out and the Brunei keeper Abdul Rahim attempted to grab the ball only managing to push it onto the crossbar and fumbling it into the net for a gift of a goal. Vichet in the Cambodia goal had no answer to Zulkhairy's effort which crashed against the crossbar at the end of an otherwise uninspiring opening half. Just after the hour, Brunei's keeper went off injured and his replacement meant Brunei had to remove one of their outfield players, as they already had the allowed three overage players on the pitch. That meant they were one man down for the last quarter of the game. Not exactly bright team tactics by their South Korean coach. Nob Tola had a header saved which rebounded to Kouch Sokumpheak close-in but his header went agonizingly wide, while Moul Daravorn sent his header from six yards wide of the target. Vathanaka sent a looping header against the cross-bar late on, while Brunei too struck the woodwork before the referee called an end to proceedings after eight minutes of stoppage time. The Laos referee somehow managed to book both Srin and Da for innocuous challenges. A confidence-boosting win for Cambodia though they will need to up their performance level in their remaining matches if they are to make this success count. Cambodia v Brunei: Vichet, Da, Samoeun, Daravorn, Sovan, Srin (Pidor 85), Phallin, Sokumpheak, Udom (Tola 66), Vathanaka, Soksana (Chhoeun 69). Subs not used: Phearun, Borey, Suhana, Ravy.

Tough proposition

Cambodia's U-21 v Laos, back row, LtoR: Samoeun, Tola, Vichet, Srin, Daravorn, Sovan. Front: Chhoeun, Borey, Ravy, Da, Suhana - pic by DeeSler, click to enlarge

Cambodia's U-21 team returned home today after a 2-2 draw in Vientiane with their Laos counterparts, in a warm-up for their Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy matches in Brunei, which start in six days time. Nob Tola and Ros Samoeun gave Cambodia the lead in yesterday's friendly only for the hosts to pull two goals back in the last fifteen minutes. Coach Lee-Tae-Hoon has a few more days with the squad at the Tonle Bati HQ before they head for Brunei. There they begin with a tough game against the home country on 9 August, especially as local hopes are high that the Brunei side can retain the trophy they won in 2012 when they beat Indonesia 2-0 in the final. In 2012 the Cambodia team lost all four of their matches. Brunei's South Korean coach Kwon Oh-son saw his team draw 1-1 with Malaysian side Sabah at the weekend and he will include players from the DPMM side - Brunei's only professional team - that is currently leading the Singapore league, and who won the Singapore Cup last week. For his part, Lee Tae-Hoon, also from South Korea, can include four players who have just won the Cambodian championship with Phnom Penh Crown, so both coaches will have in-form players to count on. Looking at the other teams in Group B that will face Cambodia, Vietnam stand out as potential winners of the trophy. They have just returned from a two-month training camp in Japan and under French coach Guillaume Graechen, they include eleven HAGL players in what is the country's U-19 team. Vietnam are also using the competition to prepare for the AFC U-19 Championships to be held in Hanoi in September. Singapore come into the HBT having beaten Philippines 2-0 in a friendly last week and their team have been playing together in the Prime League, Singapore's reserve division, all season under experienced coach Richard Bok. Malaysia's U-21 team, known as Harimau Muda B, also compete together in the Singapore League, and will also be a real contender for the HBT title. Indonesia, a late entrant into the competition, will also send their U-19 team to compete instead of taking part in another tournament in Europe. It certainly promises to be another very tough task for Cambodia's U-21s, strengthened by the inclusion of five overage players, Kouch Sokumpheak, Sos Suhana, Chhin Chhoeun, Phourng Soksana and Sok Sovan, who carried the captain's armband in yesterday's friendly. The fixtures for Cambodia are:
9 Aug vs Brunei; 11 Aug vs Singapore; 15 Aug vs Malaysia; 16 Aug vs Indonesia; 18 Aug vs Vietnam.

The Vietnam U-19 team, one of the competition favourites

Same old story

Rock bottom, but we all saw it coming. To be frank it's hardly worth reporting that Cambodia were beaten yet again on Monday night, in a competition they should never have entered, and in which they failed in all four matches. This time they went down to an U-19 team from Malaysia, 3-1, with another couple of late goals sealing Cambodia's fate. An all-too common occurrence in this invitational Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy tournament in Brunei. Skipper Chhun Sothearath scored for the Cambodia U-21 team (with 4 overage players in the squad) but it was no consolation with the squad now returning in time for the start of the Metfone C-League this coming Saturday, a competition that had to be postponed to allow the players to return to their clubs. Coach Lee Tae-Hoon has resided over defeats by Brunei and Timor Leste in this four-match competition, further evidence that Cambodian football has failed to progress under his stewardship and these results against countries so far below them in the FIFA world rankings, surely cannot escape the attention of his paymasters at the football federation. He's already managed to survive a series of disastrous results in all previous competitions over the past sixteen months when other national coaches would've been shown the door in double-quick time, so we'll wait to see what the FFC have to say about this shambolic tournament performance. I won't hold my breath.

Rock bottom

Coach Lee Tae-Hoon: "No comment."

Blinkin' heck! Cambodia have gone and done it again. Lost to yet another late late goal, this time to one of the lowest ranked countries in the FIFA family, Timor Leste. The unfancied islanders scored the only goal of their Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy tie in the 91st minute. Okay, so we could see it coming after Cambodia went down to host country Brunei the other day in similar circumstances, but seriously, I didn't think the team would actually roll over and be beaten by Timor Leste of all people. The East Timorese have been the SEAsian whipping boys for as long as I can recall. Cambodia popped them 4-1 in the 2009 SEA Games in Laos, I was there for that, and that was after Malaysia thrashed them 11-0. The full national team beat them 4-2 in the 2010 Suzuki Cup, also in Laos. They've definitely improved in recent times, wins over Brunei and Philippines in the recent SEA Games demonstrate that, but still Cambodia should have had enough competitive experience to have put this tie to bed. Cambodia even fluffed a penalty spot-kick. It's quite clear that coach Lee Tae-Hoon has learnt nothing from his well-overdue stint in charge, where conceding late goals (and before that early goals) have been a feature of his reign. How the heck he cannot get his team to shut up shop late in the game is beyond me. Once or twice is unfortunate, but when it happens this often, then the coach is nothing short of derelict in his duty. Perhaps I shouldn't bleat too much as I always said this invitational tournament in Brunei was a waste of everyone's time and energy, and most of all a blatant disruption of the preparation for the Metfone C-League, but to lose to both Brunei and Timor Leste, countries who are 30+ places below Cambodia in the FIFA world rankings, is frankly, an embarrassment. Even the most ardent supporters of Lee Tae-Hoon on the FFC committee, a blind love affair that has baffled most football fans in Cambodia for its longevity despite what can only be described as a dismal set of failures over the past sixteen months, must see that the coach is well past his sell-by date. Personally, I don't believe he can motivate his team, and that's his problem. He doesn't get them to believe in themselves and to go out and die (not literally) for their country. Tactically he's weak and these late goals are a symptom of that. Cambodia have one more game to go, against Malaysia on Monday 5 March, but as qualification after three successive defeats is impossible, it's meaningless, much like the tournament itself. The FFC must act now to relieve the coach of his duties and get an experienced coach into salvage the position and weave some magic before the all important AFF Suzuki Cup qualification games in October.

Downed again

The Cambodia U-21s + 5 came unstuck tonight in their 2nd group match in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy, much as expected. They were up against Vietnam, and even though their near neighbours fielded their U-19 team, they still proved too big a hurdle to overcome, though the result was in doubt until the very end. In theory, Cambodia's more seasoned campaigners should've been able to put up a better showing, but Vietnam netted their 2nd goal in injury time and Cambodia could only score a late consolation effort through old-pro Teab Vathanak in the final minute of time added on. Yet another disappointment for Lee Tae-Hoon's men but it didn't come as a surprise to anyone. Worryingly, Cambodia's next opponents, Timor Leste, one of the lowest-ranking teams in world football (204th out of 208), pulled off a shock 2-0 win over Malaysia's U-19s tonight and that result will strike fear into the Cambodian camp, with the two teams meeting on Wednesday night.

It can get worse

It doesn't get much worse than losing to a country some thirty places below you in the FIFA rankings does it? Well, yes it can, just watch this space. Cambodia came unstuck against hosts Brunei tonight in their opening game of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy, losing to an injury-time goal, and going down 3-2. On Wednesday, they face Timor Leste, who are another three places below Brunei and a loss to them would be nothing short of mortifying. As it is, there's no place to hide for head coach Lee Tae-Hoon, who has left a trail of disastrous results in his wake as the man responsible for Cambodia's painfully poor international showing since he took over the reins in August 2010. Although the tournament that Cambodia are in this time around, an invitational U-21 (+ 5 overage players) competition, was meant to bring some cheer and feel-good factor to the national team squad, a loss to Brunei has done exactly the opposite. The game took place after the opening ceremony and no doubt, Brunei had the bit between their teeth, determined to give their fans something to shout about. Prak Mony Udom silenced them as early as the 7th minute with a penalty to put Cambodia ahead, only for the sultanate to level a minute before the break and to take a 75th minute lead. Substitute Chan Vathanaka brought Cambodia back to all-square on 83 minutes before Brunei came up with that late, gut-wrenching winning goal. Cambodia now need to pick themselves up to face the U-19 team of Vietnam on Monday in their next group game. They have an opportunity to put matters right against their younger opponents, but any Vietnam team is a tough proposition, and Cambodia will need to show their mettle to get anything out of the encounter. I won't hold my breath.

On a whim

The Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy For Asean Youth Football Championship 2012 has started. In case you weren't aware, it's an invitational tournament for Asean countries to send their Under-21 teams, it's being hosted in Brunei and involves ten teams, following the recent withdrawal of the favourites Thailand. It began today and will finish on 9 March. When I say U-21 teams, that's not exactly true, as five over-age players are allowed in each squad of 18 players and three can play in a game. Why, I don't know and no-one can explain it either. It couldn't come at a worse time for the Cambodian League, which was due to begin on 3 March but seems likely to be put back to allow the 18 Cambodian players to return to their clubs. It's held when the whim takes them - this is the 4th time since 2002 - and with the brand new AFC U-22 tournament coming to fruition for the first time in June, with 40 countries taking part, it's a tournament that everyone could do without, especially as its disrupted the pre-season preparation of some teams. On the plus side it will give international experience to some of the younger squad players such as three of the teenagers from Preah Khan Reach. Cambodia's U-21s + 5, will start against the host nation tomorrow at 9pm Brunei time, immediately following the opening ceremony. Lee Tae-Hoon and his charges then have games against Vietnam (on Monday), Timor Leste (Wednesday) and Malaysia (Monday 5 Mar). I don't expect Cambodia to be amongst the top two teams in the two groups to progress to the semi-finals. From Cambodia's group, that will be Vietnam and Malaysia, unless there's a monumental shock of tsunami proportions. Myanmar kicked off the tourney with an 8-2 demolition of the Philippines today. You can keep up to speed as the tournament progresses here.

Another tournament

With the main focus for the Cambodian national team on the AFF Suzuki Cup in October this year, another international competition has just been added to the schedule. However, its not for the full Cambodian team but at the Under-22 age level. It's the newly-formed AFC U-22 Asian Cup 2013, which the AFC are saying will become one of the most important international tournaments in Asia. The draw for the qualification groups, seven in total, was made earlier today and Cambodia, one of 41 countries taking part, was drawn in Group F of the East Asia region, along with DPR Korea, China PR, Thailand, Hong Kong and Laos. The qualifying group matches will begin in late June 2012 and into July, midway through the Metfone C-League campaign. Cambodia were not one of the seeded teams and though highly improbable that they will appear, the finals of the competition, with sixteen teams, will be held in June 2013. There is no mention yet of where these qualifying matches will take place. The preparation for the upcoming Brunei U-21 tournament (end of this month) has already disrupted the pre-season programme for some clubs and this new competition looks set to do the same during the C-League campaign, whenever it finally gets underway.

Talking of the pointless Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy tournament for U-21 players from eleven countries (plus 5 overage players allowed in each squad) in Brunei, the Cambodian squad of 18 players has been announced. Their first game is against Vietnam on 24 Feb; then 26 Feb versus Malaysia; 2 Mar v Timor Leste; 4 Mar v Thailand. The squad includes 7 players from Preah Khan Reach (Sophea, Sothearoth, Daravorn, Rithy, PM Udom, Vathanaka, Saray), 6 from Army (Yaty, Khemarin, U Dara, Chhoeurn, Phearith, Soksana), 2 from Police (Piseth, Srey Udom) and 1 apiece from Boeung Ket (Pancharong), BBU (Sothearath) and Naga (Vathanak). No PPCFC players were involved in the build-up for the tournament and therefore not considered.

Cup draws

The final matches of Group C and D in the Hun Sen Cup were played yesterday and the quarter-finals, to be played tomorrow, were decided. Preah Khan Reach fielded a young team and thumped Stung Treng at Olympic Stadium 13-1. Khuon Laboravy stood on the goal-line and netted 11 goals (7 of them in the 1st half) to take his competition tally to 17. He won the Golden Boot last season with 22 goals. They now meet Phnom Penh Crown in the 1.45pm kick-off at Army Stadium tomorrow. BBU thrashed Koh Kong 8-2 but shared the goals around the team. As the 2nd team in Group C, they meet the winners of Group D, National Police at 4pm tomorrow. The Police went to town on luckless Kratie, winning 22-0 with 7 goals apiece from Srey Udom and Man Ritavann amongst that tally. The Police's goal difference was 23 compared to Crown's 17, after the latter beat Boeung Ket 1-0, courtesy of a Kouch Sokumpheak goal. The other QF's will involve Naga, who walked over Battambang 10-0 with Teab Vathanak netting 7 goals, who meet Kirivong, while the Army face off against Chhlam Samuth, both games at the Olympic Stadium.

The draw for the pointless Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy in Brunei for U-21 teams + overage players has been made. The tournament dates have been extended to get all the games in and Cambodia will kick off the tournament against Vietnam on 24 Feb in Group B. There's nothing like getting a good thumping in your 1st game, though Vietnam might give Cambodia a chance by fielding their youth team. Cambodia then face the following matches: 26 Feb versus Malaysia; 2 Mar v Timor Leste; 4 Mar v Thailand. The final will take place on 9 Mar. Don't expect Cambodia to get anywhere near it.

Mickey Mouse trophy

The Mickey Mouse Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy is looming large on the horizon. It's the U-21 competition that isn't for U-21s, that will be held in Brunei next month, and which has convinced the Cambodian football federation to reduce the Hun Sen Cup to a ridiculous fiasco. Cambodia are sending their U-21 team with five overage players (which is allowed under the HBT rules) and will have warm-up matches against Ulsan University from South Korea this Friday (27 Jan at 4pm) and Sunday (29 Jan at 4pm). Both games will be at the Olympic Stadium. The FFC are then squeezing the Hun Sen Cup into a 12-day window from 1 February to accommodate this biennial Asean tournament, which actually means that the two teams who reach the Hun Sen Cup final will play a match every two days, at a time when players are in pre-season preparation. That will then leave the national team coach, Lee Tae-Hoon, with a few days to coax his team into shape and take off, ready to begin their HBT games from 25 Feb-9 March. It will also allow Preah Khan Reach the time to compete in the Malaysian FA Cup on 18 Feb. The HBT tournament organisers have just extended the timeline of the competition as they realise they have to shoe-horn in 28 games with 11 teams taking part. Cambodia are sending their U-21 team, with the overage additions, whilst other countries such as Vietnam and Malaysia have confirmed they will be despatching their U-19 starlets. Squads will be 18-players strong, though only three overage players can take part in matches. I am still bewildered that the FFC have crammed their premier cup competition into a ludicrous timeframe, simply so the U-21s can take part in this meaningless competition. The overriding focus for the Cambodian national team this year must be qualification into the final stages of the AFF Suzuki Cup in October. There's a case to be made that this U-21 competition will help towards that, but it's a case with holes in it, as the best Cambodian players are simply not involved.

Cambodia off to Brunei

I've just heard that Cambodia will be sending an U-21 team to Brunei in late February to compete in the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy that will take place between 25 Feb - 5 March. This tournament, an unofficial U-21 competition for ASEAN countries, has been on-hold for the last few years as Brunei Darussalam were suspended from all competitions by FIFA. That ban was lifted in the middle of this year just in time for Brunei to take part in the recent SEA Games. I've been harking on about better quality opposition for the national team and a well-structured build-up programme towards the qualifying rounds for the AFF Suzuki Cup next October, and this goes part of the way to fulfilling that requirement, though the HB Trophy is essentially an U-21 tournament although the rules have been changed this year to allow a handful of over-age players. Meanwhile, the Suzuki Cup is for the senior Cambodian team. What doesn't sit well is that the tournament looks like it will be smack-bang in the middle of the latter stages of the Hun Sen Cup and the preparation of teams for the Metfone C-League. I've yet to see the revised dates for the Hun Sen Cup, as they keep changing them, and no start date has yet been fixed for the C-League campaign to get underway. For the national coach, South Korean Lee Tae-Hoon, it will be an opportunity to wipe some of the egg off his face after the SEA Games debacle when his charges went down in all four matches and exited the SEA Games with a whimper. The timing isn't great though, as players will be called up for training for the U-21s when they should be getting good pre-season fitness and tactical sessions under their belt with their individual teams ahead of their involvement in the Hun Sen Cup, and later the league campaign. The tournament in Brunei just about ticks the box in terms of the start of serious Suzuki Cup preparation, but much more is needed, particularly tough, high-profile friendly matches at senior team level, which doesn't include Korean university teams or 2nd-rate Vietnam club sides. Brunei have just returned from the international wilderness after a two-year plus ban was lifted so they could compete in the recent SEA Games, where they did pretty well, beating Philippines, drawing with Laos and losing against Timor Leste, Myanmar and Vietnam. Cambodia's U-23s lost all four of their SEA Games matches. Brunei's only professional club DPMM FC are rejoining the Singapore League after their football federation's FIFA reprieve and the 2012 Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy will be the 4th time that Brunei has hosted the tournament. Indonesia won it in 2002 and then Thailand claimed the prize in 2005 and 2007 before the competition was suspended. In that 2007 competition, Cambodia's results were as follows: Brunei D2-2, Myanmar L0-7, Philippines W6-0, Thailand L1-10. For the record, in the FIFA world rankings, Cambodia lie at 170 whilst Brunei wallow at 202, as you'd expect for a team who haven't played for a few years.