Incoming new faces

 Phnom Penh Crown head coach Sam Schweingruber has moved quickly to strengthen his playing squad before pre-season conditioning training begins in earnest in early October. The Swiss tactician had this to say about his two new signings this week, Touch Sokheng and Neou Sosela, both on 1-year contracts. "Both Heng and Sela are experienced and quality additions to the team, providing the depth to the squad we lacked last season. Now a few more contract extensions and some more new faces and we are ready to challenge for the coming season." 

Both new arrivals are midfielders though Sosela usually plies his trade down either flank, and both, at 23 years old, have a point to prove after stuttering phases in their respective football careers. It's certainly something Schweingruber hopes will work in his team's favour and of course the players as well. "Sela is a quality addition, giving us options on the wing with his pace. I'm well aware of the number of yellow cards he got last season... and have stressed the importance of discipline so Sela knows that he will only be the important player he can be, if he has his temperament under better control." The diminutive winger exploded onto the scene back in 2009 when his electric pace and tricky footwork bamboozled defences for his Army team and made him the darling of the country's national team fans as Cambodia's U-23s won the BIDC Cup under Scott O'Donell. Sosela was a big part of that success though injury cost him a place in the SEA Games. He returned to win the Hun Sen Cup with Army but fell out of favour and spent almost two years on the sidelines, even spending ten months with NagaCorp, but unable to turn out due to the Army's intransigence. A move to National Police at the start of 2012 rekindled his career but three suspensions last season blighted his copybook. For Sosela, his move to Crown signals a new phase. "Crown are an organised and well-structured club who have international standards. I need a challenge to improve myself and I want to work with a strong team which wants to win and with players who have the same mentality. Crown has all of that," explained the Phnom Penh-born dynamo who fans nicknamed Chaly, comapring him to the small, nippy motorbike of the same name.

Alongside him, a former Army teammate, Touch Sokheng, will be out to prove a point after kicking his heels on the Boeung Ket substitute's bench for most of last season. As Schweingruber explains: "I see Heng as a central midfield player and believe he has been played in the wrong position at Boeung Ket... but time will tell. We were a bit lacking depth, meaning not enough options when a player was injured or out of form or lacking discipline, that left us with a totally inexperienced bench with not enough attacking options in important games last season. Heng rarely got a chance at Boeung Ket and he is hungry to show what made him an important player in the seasons before. Boeung Ket signed too many players and ended up wasting some talents on the bench. We hope Heng can pick up his form and get back to his old strengths." Sokheng is a native of Koh Kong and after moving to the capital in 2008 he hooked up with Phnom Penh Empire for a year before moving onto Post Tel. The Army was his next port of call for three years before he switched to Boeung Ket before the start of their C-League winning season in 2012. Looking forward to a new opportunity with Crown, Sokheng said: "I want to improve myself and with so many good players at Boeung Ket, my chances were limited. So I want to show my ability again with a fresh start and I'm very happy to join a club like Crown, and reunite with my former Army colleagues like Borey and Sela. I want to win things and play my part in helping Crown to more success."

In addition to the two new faces this week, Schweingruber has been boosted by the signature of playmaker Kouch Sokumpheak on a new 2-year contract. "I'm very happy to have agreed terms with Pheak and put an end to speculation over his future. He is in his best football years right now and I believe we have still to see the best of him, so we are happy he can now focus fully on preparing for a new and exciting season ahead." Other clubs had been reportedly sniffing around the popular player, who originally joined Crown in November 2010 from Khemara Keila. We can expect some more newcomers through the doors of Crown over the next few weeks, especially when pre-season training begins and the club decide on their quota of foreign players for the coming season.

Touch Sokheng

Neou Sosela, aka Mr Chaly

Firepower blunted

PPCFC starting line-up. Back Row LtoR: Ary, Thierry, Boris, Pheng, Srin, Hasan. Front: Phearun, Da, Dani, Suhana, Rady

Phnom Penh Crown came a cropper, losing 2-1 in this afternoon's practice match against Svay Rieng, but who are the Preah Khan Reach U-19 team competing in the Hun Sen Cup. I've no idea why they have taken on the mantle of Svay Rieng province. Though Crown went down 2-1, they dominated possession for long periods of the game only failing when it came to sticking the ball in the net. Crown coach Sam Schweingruber fielded a strong side against the PKR youngsters, who looked well-drilled formation-wise and gave a good account of themselves. Too good, it might be said, as they opened the scoring after just 45 seconds of the kick-off. A direct free-kick, struck with accuracy and velocity by Soeung Sopanha soared into the top corner from 30 yards out, leaving Yok Ary clutching at straws. For the remainder of the first-half, Crown pressed but were found wanting in front of goal. On 12 minutes, a Kok Boris drive from outside the box was pushed aside by the PKR keeper and soon after, Bin Thierry controlled a Pheak Rady ball over the top, but fired into the side netting. Good link-up play between Thierry and Boris, saw the latter volley his shot a few yards wide before Hong Pheng cut inside his marker and sent a 25-yard effort over the top. Despite their dominance, Crown lacked that killer touch and Mart Hasan saw out the first half with a 20-yard drive straight into the keeper's gloves.

Crown coach Schweingruber rang the changes throughout the second-half, with eight substitutions but the story remained the same. Crown pressing, with PKR defending resolutely. In fact they nearly claimed a second just after the interval but Mak Phearun headed off the goal-line. Sos Suhana fired a shot into the keeper's chest, Kouch Dani sent a fizzing long range drive just over the cross-bar and Boris failed to connect strongly enough after another trademark burst into the box. Khim Borey sent a dipping shot just over and then Leng Makara thought he'd equalised with a strong downward header, only for the keeper to claw the ball away from the foot of the upright. With three minutes left on the clock, PKR netted a second goal against the run of play. Another Sopanha free-kick took a wicked deflection, forcing Samrith Seiha into a super one-handed save only for Sun Vandeth to react quickest and fire into an empty net. There was still time for a Thierry free-kick to be palmed aside by the keeper before Crown finally found the target in the final minute of the match, but it was too little, too late. Bouy Dary's pin-point corner was met by the forehead of Leng Makara in the six-yard box for a consolation goal, but the whistle went soon after and Crown will be reflecting on their lack of firepower in this hard-fought friendly encounter.
PPCFC line-up v Svay Rieng: Ary (Seiha 46), Da (Borey 46), Phearun (Makara 62), Srin (Lika 62), Rady, Boris (Pisa), Hasan (Dara 62), Suhana (Dary 62), Dani, Pheng (Morslim), Thierry. Subs not used: Chamrouen, Kano. Bookings: None.

A sight which will please Crown fans as Kouch Sokumpheak gets used to the ball again after months of inactivity

Kouch Sokumpheak watches his teammates as he contemplates his comeback in a month or two

Frimpong slapped again

I am finding it very hard to hold my tongue with the news I've received this afternoon. Just two days before Phnom Penh Crown meet the Army (at 2.30pm on Sunday at Olympic Stadium), Crown have just received notice from the football federation that they have slapped a further 2-match ban on midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong, following his red card against Boeung Ket on 11 July. So effectively, the work coach David Booth has been doing with his team this week, with Frimpong expected to line-up on Sunday, has just gone down the pan. How the heck can the FFC conjure up another two-game suspension so long after the event? Frimpong was sent off by referee Neang Sorithya after the final whistle for words he allegedly directed at the match referee. He received a two-match ban and missed the games against Chhlam Samuth and BBU. The Ghanaian returned to action last weekend against Kirivong. Then out of the blue came the letter from the president of the match committee informing the club that Frimpong has been banished for another two matches. There is no official reason quoted for the suspension. The FFC state they have made the decision because of the "player attitude," quoting match regulations and FIFA principle. I can only assume, because they are not at all clear in their reasoning, that Frimpong must've been shown the red card for using offensive, racist, insulting or abusive language and/or gestures. But that's a guess. The FFC have failed in their most basic duty to stipulate why. And how did they allow him to re-appear last weekend before enacting a second suspension. It simply beggars belief.
Crown captain Kouch Sokumpheak visited a specialist surgeon in Ho Chi Minh City today and will go under the knife tomorrow for surgery to his knee ligament injury sustained in a challenge with Boeung Ket goalkeeper Peng Bunchhay on 11 July. It is believed the injury is to the anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, and that the surgery will fix the damage. The likelihood for recovery from such a procedure/injury is six months of rehabilitation before being ready to make a return to the team. We will have to wait for the surgeon's opinion before we know for sure. Of course, we wish Sokumpheak the best of luck and a full recovery.

Captain Sokumpheak sidelined

Kouch Sokumpheak lies injured at the feet of the match referee in yellow. Courtesy of Sabay.com

In what amounts to a double punishment for Phnom Penh Crown after they were tonked 5-1 by Boeung Ket on Wednesday afternoon, the club now have to face the loss of their talismanic captain Kouch Sokumpheak for at least six weeks, effectively ruling him out of the remainder of their Metfone C-League campaign. Fifteen minutes from the end of Wednesday's match and Sokumpheak went down clutching his leg under a challenge from BK goalkeeper Peng Bunchhay, a former teammate at Crown. As he hobbled off the pitch, initial fears were for an ankle injury but pain in his knee and a scan that same evening, revealed knee ligament damage that will require up to six weeks of rest. With Crown's final domestic match scheduled for 26 August against NagaCorp that would suggest he will play no further part in the club's outside challenge of making the top 4 league places and gaining entry into the play-offs. His recovery target will therefore be the AFC President's Cup final stages, at a location still to be decided by the AFC, which will be held during 24-30 September. Crown will be keeping their fingers and legs crossed that their skipper will be back to fitness in time for their important season finale.

Here it comes

Standing for the national anthem. LtoR: Kouch Sokumpheak, David Booth, Khiev Sameth, Rithy Samnang

Next Saturday will see the start of this season's AFC President's Cup competition, with the Group Stage qualifying matches in Group B kicking-off in Phnom Penh. Last year Phnom Penh Crown progressed to the final stages after successfully negotiating the Group Stage that was played at the Olympic Stadium for the very first time. They will be hoping that lightening strikes twice. This morning's press conference at the Phnom Penh Hotel was the formal announcement of the programme of six matches on 5, 7 and 9 May by the club president Rithy Samnang, accompanied by Khiev Sameth of the FFC, Crown's head coach David Booth and club captain Kouch Sokumpheak. The three visiting teams, from Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan and Nepal, will arrive later in the week and another press conference with representatives from all four teams will be held on Friday, immediately after the Team Managers meeting. This morning's session was introduced by Rithy Samnang with Khiev Sameth also commenting, whilst David Booth and Kouch Sokumpheak answered questions from the attending journalists. Eight televisions stations were present as well as online and written media. All were given a written press release with the schedule of matches, etc.
The key elements of David Booth's replies to questions were: "We know how to prepare, we've done it before. We don't need to take the players away from their families as we train every day, it's important for the players to stay in their regular environment, and to keep them comfortable and to maintain team spirit...We've got to forget last year, that's finished, we now have a new challenge and our players have to be up for it. We did very well last year to get to the final, and now we have a big challenge this year to beat that. We've had a big turnaround in players but over the past month it is starting to gel. We can look forward to the competition with confidence, as the players are showing a lot more ability. It's taken 3-4 months and it's now coming together at just the right time. It doesn't happen overnight, it takes time to develop but they are all striving to get better."

Kouch Sokumpheak making notes during the press conference

Kouch Sokumpheak and David Booth at the top table

Rithy Samnang, Kouch Sokumpheak and Khiev Sameth look at the new television commercial that has been produced for this year

Captain Fanastic Seals It

Captain for the day, Kouch Sokumpheak (10) in the tunnel before today's game

Phnom Penh Crown did a professional job on newcomers Boeung Ket Rubber Field at the Army Stadium this afternoon, winning 1-0 to book their passage to the next round of the Hun Sen Cup. There's something about the armband with Crown this week, as Kouch Sokumpheak, today's recipient, hit a scorching drive on 68 minutes to settle the tie in Crown's favour. Leading by example, as he usually does, he led the line and moved back into midfield to shore it up as his teammates were falling by the wayside. Crown began sluggishly but controlled the game after the twenty minute mark and never really looked like conceding to the Kompong Cham-based team, who are newboys in the C-League this year. More from the game later.

Goal by goal, all 16 of them

PPCFC v Kratie: Back Row LtoR: Sam Chamrouen, Ouk Sothy, Tieng Tiny, Sok Sovan, Chan Dara, Khim Borey. Front: Sok Pheng, Men Seyha, Sos Suhana, Kouch Sokumpheak, Chhun Sovanna

He wears the number 10 jersey, so presumably Kouch Sokumpheak felt he had to live up to his number in this afternoon's Hun Sen Cup tie against Kratie. Three goals in the 1st half and then another seven after the interval by one individual is pretty good going in anyone's book. Phnom Penh Crown coach David Booth said after the game; "I left him on the pitch as he got married, had some time off, so for his own benefit, fitness-wise, I felt he should stay on the pitch." That decision certainly paid rich dividends as Sokumpheak led Crown to a massive 16-0 victory in the first of their three Group D matches. Booth gave six players their Hun Sen Cup debuts including Khim Borey, who was barred from last year's competition. In the 2nd minute, their new giant of a keeper, Sam Chamrouen nervously fumbled a cross and Kratie poked their only chance of the game wide of the post. They simply weren't in it after that. With Crown playing a quick passing game, despite the grass and mud surface that made such football a tough proposition in the conditions, Kratie were chasing shadows for the rest of the game. Ouk Sothy and Chhun Sovanna were particularly noticeable in the middle of the park for Crown, playing neat interchanges before releasing their three-pronged strikeforce, though the Crown forwards did their fair share of winning the ball and setting themselves on a course for their opponents goal. You won't be surprised to hear Crown missed a hatful of chances in the game. The most glaring misses befell Sok Pheng and Ouk Sothy in the first half, and Hong Pheng in the 2nd, though Sokumpheak himself had another half a dozen chances which were blocked by the Kratie goalkeeper, Mean Kiara. The visitors were reduced to ten men just after the hour when their skipper, Pha Kolboth picked up a 2nd yellow and saw red. It certainly wasn't that type of game to warrant a booking, let alone a dismissal.

Here are the goals:
1st half: 15 mins - Chan Dara short pass to Sokumpheak who left a defender on his arse and slid the ball through to Sok Pheng on the right side of the area. Pheng rounded the keeper and slotted in from a tight angle.
25 mins - Khim Borey slipped a pass inside the full-back and Sokumpheak waited for his moment before lashing his shot inside the near post.
28 mins - Ouk Sothy broke forward, fed Khim Borey, who cut inside and whacked in a 20-yard drive that sailed into the top corner.
31 mins - Chhun Sovanna won a tackle, left another defender in his wake and finished coolly with a neat sidefoot shot.
40 mins - Sos Suhana fed Sokumpheak wide on the left, he nipped past the last defender, opened up his body and rolled the ball across the keeper and in at the far post.
44 mins - Tieng Tiny's headed cross was headed goalwards by Borey, but was saved and Sokumpheak's rebound shot hit a hand and nestled in the net. The referee gave a penalty for the handball offence. Sokumpheak sent his penalty high into the roof of the net. 6-0 and three for No 10.

2nd half: 56 mins - Borey linked up again with Sokumpheak, and the goal-machine took his time and picked his spot from fifteen yards out.
57 mins - Sokumpheak broke into the penalty area and onto Sok Pheng's pass, only for the keeper, Mean Kiara to trip him. Sokumpheak got up, dusted himself down and sent the penalty kick into the top corner.
60 mins - Suhana fed Sokumpheak on the right, he rounded the keeper and fired his shot straight and true from a very acute angle.
65 mins - Chan Dara and Hong Pheng combined on the right wing, Pheng sent in a hard and low cross and Leng Makara, just on 4 mins earlier, tapped into an empty net.
68 mins - Hong Pheng's byeline cross was volleyed in by Sokumpheak at close range.
77 mins - Makara's left-wing cross to the far post was chested down by Sokumpheak and he calmly rolled in his 8th goal.
78 mins - Sothy's pass put Sokumpheak in space, he took his time and drove in his shot from 10 yards out.
84 mins - Men Seyha broke down the left wing, and his byeline cross was tapped in by Sokumpheak from six yards out, for his 10th goal of the game.
87 mins - Sothy's driving run into the box, and his byeline pull-back was powerfully headed in by Leng Makara.
90+1 mins - Sothy robbed the last man and rolled the ball to Makara who fired in the game's 16th goal from a wide angle.

Crown head coach David Booth was pleased with the result. After the match, he commented; "We scored early on, which helped to settle us. Apart from the pitch, I was pleased with our performance, as we kept running, kept passing and kept working hard for each other. We made lots of chances, and we scored lots of goals which always helps to build up confidence,. We had a lot of new players playing today. I want to win every game and its important to find out if the new players can play under pressure. Today we did well. Our midfield gave the ball away a lot early on, but got better as the game wore on. I demanded that we pressed the opposition at the right time and we did it very well, stopping them playing out. I took off Sok Pheng as I want him to be ready for the next game and mistakenly took Borey off as I thought he had a knock. I felt a bit for the opposition, there was no need for the red card and it made it hard for them." Crown now face the stiffer task of National Police on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium at 2pm. Police won a close game with Boeung Ket with a late Srey Udom penalty, 1-0 immediately after the Crown match.
PPCFC line-up: Chamrouen, Dara (capt), Seyha, Tiny (Lika 65), Sovan, Sovanna, Sothy, Suhana, Sok Pheng (Hong Pheng 60), Borey (Makara 61), Sokumpheak. Subs not used: Ary, Oudom, Da, Vanthan, Srin, Kimhor, Sophanal, Sochivorn. Bookings: None. Ref: Saing Sopheak.

Coach David Booth tells Sokumpheak he's expecting another 7 goals in the 2nd half. The striker duly obliged.

Sokumpheak scores from the penalty spot on 57 minutes

Last minute instructions from the coach to his starting eleven

Leng Makara scored a hat-trick on his debut as a substitute for the last 30 minutes

Kouch Sokumpheak

Kouch Sokumpheak wearing the new Crown jersey

A player who needs little introduction is Kouch Sokumpheak, widely regarded by many as the country's best player. I would agree with that assessment. He joined Phnom Penh Crown before the start of last season after giving sterling service at Khemara Keila for four years. In his school days he helped Hun Sen Balaing high school win the national school championships twice. Sokumpheak made his international debut for Cambodia in 2006 and has been a constant ever since. He's also been the Hun Sen Cup Golden Boot winner on three occasions.

Name: Kouch Sokumpheak
Position: Forward
Squad Number: 10
Date of birth: 15 Feb 1987
Place of birth: Porbakor, Stung Sen, Kompong Thom
Height: 1.68m
Weight: 63kg
Joined PPCFC: November 2010
Previous clubs: Khemara Keila, Cambodia U-21, U-23 & Seniors.

Sokumpheak's big day

Sokumpheak with Fabio Cannavaro, flanked by teammates Khim Borey and Sok Sovan

Kouch Sokumpheak is acknowledged by most football fans to be Cambodia's number one player for the last few years. He was an outstanding member of the Khemara Keila team before joining Phnom Penh Crown last season and top-scoring with 19 goals as Crown won the league championship and reached the final of the AFC President's Cup. He's been a nailed-on certainty in the Cambodian national team since his debut in 2006. And this coming Saturday will be another big date in the calendar for him, his marriage to Oeu Ravy. Yesterday he warmed up for the big occasion by meeting one of his footballing heroes, Fabio Cannavaro. He also took his dog to yesterday's training session, so will appeal to dog lovers as well as football fans. 500 guests have been invited to celebrate the wedding party on Saturday, for one of the nicest guys you could meet. Have a great day Sokumpheak and Ravy.

Sokumpheak gets to meet with Fabio Cannavaro yesterday

Sokumpheak takes his dog to yesterday's training session

The man himself in a more traditional football pose

Sokumpheak and his future wife Ravy enjoy the beach

Rubbing shoulders

Kouch Sokumpheak rubbing shoulders with Ronaldo on the cover of 855

The latest edition of 855 Sports Magazine is out today. The cover has two of the leading footballers of their era, Kouch Sokumpheak and Christiano Ronaldo on the front cover, with Phnom Penh Crown's Sokumpheak also featuring as the pull-out poster and in an article about his playing career. There's also a feature on David Booth, the PPCFC coach as well as articles on Naga Corp, Preah Khan Reach and many other local and international sports. This second edition has increased its page size to sixty pages and the price remains at 5,000 riels. It's Cambodia's first-ever glossy magazine devoted entirely to sport and published in the Khmer language.

An article on PPCFC's coach David Booth

Pheak in the frame

Something we all like to see, Kouch Sokumpheak celebrating another of his goals, this time against Yadanarbon [courtesy of www.the-afc.com]

A few official AFC photographs taken at the recent AFC President's Cup final stages in Taiwan, all showing our very own number 10, Phnom Penh Crown's Kouch Sokumpheak, in action. Before this season's competition, Sokumpheak appeared twice in previous AFC President's Cup competitions, both for Khemara Keila, back in 2006 and 2007, scoring 4 goals in 7 matches.

Sokumpheak is fending off Yadanarbon's Htoo Aung during Crown's 4-0 group stage success [courtesy of www.the-afc.com]

Kouch Sokumpheak in motion in the ill-fated final against Taiwan Power with Yu-Lin Chen in hot pursuit [courtesy of www.the-afc.com]

Kouch Sokumpheak

Another of the new posters we are putting together for Phnom Penh Crown. We are still drafting the final versions but here's one of nearly everyone's favourite player, not just for Crown but for the Cambodian national team as well, Kouch Sokumpheak. Some of the posters have already been paraded at the new sports bar at Crown Casino at Bavet, on the Cambodia-Vietnam international border crossing.

In Conversation with...

Kouch Sokumpheak

The Phnom Penh Crown Yearbook for 2011 includes an interview with two of the team's most highly-rated players, Kouch Sokumpheak and Tieng Tiny. Here's the interview.

In Conversation with.... Kouch Sokumpheak and Tieng Tiny

Kouch Sokumpheak is widely touted as Cambodia’s most talented footballer of his generation, whilst Tieng Tiny is rated as the best homegrown defender in the country, and both players play for Phnom Penh Crown. We caught up with the duo during a break from training with the national team to find out a little more about them.

For the record, Sokumpheak, now 23 years old, is one of five siblings and was born in Porbakor village in the heart of Kompong Thom town. He’s played football for as long as he can remember, coming to prominence for the Kompong Thom provincial team whilst still at Hun Sen Balaing High School. Spotted by Khemara Keila manager/coach Lah Salakhan during a match played in Kratie, he made the journey down to Phnom Penh and earned a place in the Khemara line-up immediately. His Crown and international teammate Tieng Tiny is a year older and hails from Boeung Daun Pa village in Siem Reap. One of six children, he was snapped up by his provincial team when he was just fifteen and attending 10 Makara High School. He too was a target of Lah Salakhan’s scouting network and was invited to join Khemara.

2006 was a memorable milestone year for both players. They were part of the Khemara side that captured the Championship Trophy, beating Phnom Penh United 5-4 in the play-off final. They also earned a call-up into Cambodia’s AFC Challenge Cup national team squad and made their first appearances against Bangladesh in Dhaka in April of that year. The following year, the two players parted company, with Sokumpheak remaining at Khemara, as he would until he signed on for Crown a few months ago. Meanwhile, Tiny joined up with Phnom Penh Empire for a year and then a less than successful season with Naga Corp before moving to Phnom Penh Crown in 2009. Both players remained integral members of the Cambodian national team, as they are today.

Sokumpheak, with a league title and a Hun Sen Cup Final success in his locker, was the epitome of loyalty as he remained with Khemara, despite the club’s waning fortunes. “I have great respect and gratitude towards Lah Salakhan, as well as enjoying the camaraderie we had at Khemara,” he said. It kept him there until he was finally persuaded to leave in November 2010, joining Crown ahead of the current new season. Tiny was already with Crown, as they captured the Metfone C-League Championship and just failed to land the Hun Sen Cup last term.

Both players will have important roles for Crown this season. Tiny’s main task will be to marshall the defence, whilst Sokumpheak will be expected to get amongst the goals, as he did for Khemara in the last two editions of the Hun Sen Cup, claiming the Golden Boot award twice in succession, with 21 and 18 goals respectively. The striker was full of praise for his new coach at Crown, Bojan Hodak. “Bojan is very good, he understands the game and he encourages us all of the time.” Tiny agreed. “I like his knowledge and methods of defence, and he’s teaching me new tricks as a defender. We are also physically stronger than before,” he explained. Sokumpheak added; “Crown are much more professional than other clubs. Their coaching methods, food, training equipment, facilities and higher wages, all make a real difference to the players.”

We’ve already heard that Lah Salakhan assumed the role of mentor for Sokumpheak whilst he was at Khemara, though the striker also counts Scott O’Donell as one of his best influences, during his spell in charge of the national team. “Scott gave us great advice, trained us hard and helped us adopt a much more professional attitude.” Tiny echoed his colleague’s views and found that O’Donell, a central defender himself, helped his game by sharing his own experiences. Both players have also been impressed with the current Cambodian coach, South Korean, Lee Tae-Hoon.

It was clear the two players regard each other as good friends as well as teammates. They replied in unison to tell me that playing abroad was not on their list of priorities, as being away from family and friends wasn’t something they were keen on, whilst stepping into a coaching role, once their playing days are over, is definitely something they will consider. When asked about representing Cambodia in international football, Tiny remarked; “I’m proud to play for my country, it makes me happy, I get to visit many other countries, I get exposure to new things, my experience improves and I become a better player.” Sokumpheak concurred; “I am very proud to wear my country’s jersey and to show our flag abroad. It makes me very happy. Football is a good job and a good career and playing for Cambodia is something I enjoy immensely.”

The future of Cambodian football was the final topic of discussion. Tiny remarked; “I think former players should train the next generation as they know the game and can pass on their knowledge and experiences. Foreign coaches help a lot too, with good explanations, good ideas on training and food, methods of playing and treatment of injuries.” For Sokumpheak, he believes the football federation can play a more significant role in youth development. “I’m a believer that the federation should support the accommodation, study, food and training of the younger players, so they can focus clearly on their football and not be distracted. I also feel that clubs should assist players to find jobs after their football careers are finished, so they can concentrate 100% on football whilst they are playing.” Both Sokumpheak and Tiny are a long way from the end of their careers as they embark on their first season playing alongside each other at Phnom Penh Crown. It promises to be an exciting year ahead for both.

Tieng Tiny

All smiles for Sokumpheak

Kouch Sokumpheak nursing an ankle strain after bagging 4 goals against Neak Khiev

True to form, Kouch Sokumpheak produced the goods on his return to his hometown, with all four of Phnom Penh Crown's goals in their 4-0 Hun Sen Cup Group D victory over Kompong Cham's Neak Khiev on Friday morning. Born in Kompong Thom, Sokumpheak relished the opportunity to play in front of family and friends and despite a sore ankle picked up in training the day before, played through the pain barrier to grab all the glory. If Crown thought it would be a stroll against Neak Khiev, they were made to think again. The club has the backing of one of the province's rubber barons and have invested with a view to getting C-League status this season. Coupled with a pitch that was hard, uneven and mostly sand and mud, a strong wind in their favour gave the Blue Dragons an advantage in the 1st half though it was Crown who settled quicker and took the lead after just three minutes. San Narith swung in a left wing center and Sokumpheak's flicked header bounced over the top of goalkeeper Chea Sojeun's despairing dive and into the far corner. Savy Setsody and Thang Sul fluffed opportunities for Neak Khiev before Hok Visokra pulled off a smart point-blank stop from Setsody to deny them an equaliser. At the other end, Sojeun came out quickly to smother Sun Sopanha's shot after the midfielder had sidestepped two players. Before the break both Tieng Ting and Sokumpheak limped off the field after turning their ankles on the uneven surface.

Seven minutes after the restart, a neat one-two between Sokumpheak and Sok Pheng left the hometown striker in space and he netted with a curling shot around the keeper. Another six minutes later and Sokumpheak claimed his hat-trick. Tiny pushed forward though his mis-placed pass fell kindly for Sokumpheak, who ghosted past three defenders with ease and fired in from ten yards out for a fine solo goal. Pheng was unlucky not to get his name on the scoresheet when Sojeun kicked his close range shot away after Chan Chaya's effort rebounded off the upright, and then full-back Math Nou got in a last-ditch tackle to deny Pheng after the striker had rounded the goalkeeper. Sokumpheak registered his and Crown's 4th with just four minutes remaining. Pheng went down with a loud shout under a challenge from Him Rosithy and referee Hun Veasna pointed to the penalty spot, from which Sokumpheak duly despatched the spot-kick. Bookings for Sopanha (swinging arm) and Chaya (retaliation) were a disappointment for Crown's coaching team, who were without head coach Bojan Hodak who's in Croatia taking his UEFA Pro coaching badge, whilst players getting treatment for ankle injuries after the game ended may give Crown a selection headache in their 2nd group match on Sunday against hosts Kompong Thom. Crown will also be without Khim Borey and Suong Virak after the federation put a block on their involvement in the competition pending resolution of a transfer objection from their former club, the Army.
Crown line-up: Visokra, Dara (Vanthan 62), Narith (Sovan 79), Tiny, Sothearith, Sopanha, Narong (Sophat 72), Ratana, Chaya, Pheng, Sokumpheak.

With an 8am kick-off the early morning sun is in the eyes of Crown before the start. [Back row LtoR] Sothearith, Dara, Visokra, Ratana, Sopanha, Pheng [front row] Chaya, Sokumpheak, Narith, Tiny, Narong.

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.

Bojan's the man

Phnom Penh Crown's new Croatian-born head coach, Bojan Hodak

The cat is out of the bag. The new head coach and big-name signings at Phnom Penh Crown have been announced moments ago on the club's website. Read it in full here. In keeping with their 'thinking out of the box' mentality, Crown have appointed a European coach, Bojan Hodak, who has wide experience both in his home country of Croatia but also in Asian football, playing and coaching in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong. He was a no-nonsense centre-half in his playing days, earning himself a reputation as one of the best defenders during his time in Singapore with Jurong and then made a splash in his first club coaching stint with UPB-My Team in Malaysia, that started out as a television reality show before taking on a life of its own and gaining promotion to the top flight. He arrived in Phnom Penh on Sunday with his family in tow and began work on the training ground with the Crown squad at their Tuol Kork training HQ the next morning. Crown face the French Khmer Select XI at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday (3.30pm) in their first pre-season friendly, so he'll get an early look at his charges in action.

Most of the successful squad that carried off the C-League Championship last season have been retained. There are a few exceptions but in the main, the same faces will be in action again in Saturday's friendly game, but with some very notable additions. Add the two best homegrown strikers in the country and mix with one of the most accomplished utility players and you have yourself a trio of new arrivals that will send a shudder through the ranks of their C-League rivals. The country's pin-up strikers, Kouch Sokumpheak (aged 23) and Khim Borey (21), have been prised away from their old teams, which wasn't easy as both of them remained loyal to Khemara Keila and the Army for the last five and four years respectively. They have played alongside each other for the Cambodian national team for the last few years despite their tender ages and look set to make another big impression on the C-League this season with their new club. Joining them is San Narith (24), a national team colleague, who can play at left-back or in central midfield, after time with the Army, Khemara and Preah Khan Reach.

Also strengthening the Crown squad are two new arrivals from the Singapore League. They are Nigerian-born duo, Odion Obadin (21), a central defender, and striker Kingsley Njoku (24). Both players spent three years each at Gombak United in the S-League after progressing through the tough Nigerian academy system and playing professional football in their own country before moving to Asia. Their previous experience in the professional ranks of Singapore will bring a new dimension to the foreign contingent that usually ply their trade in Cambodia.

Crown are quick to point out that they are still looking to add more names to their squad before the action really kicks in at the start of the new year when the Hun Sen Cup will begin. Coach Hodak is looking for half a dozen friendly games at least to whip his team into shape and that might include some action abroad. The club will also be competing in the AFC President's Cup and the Singapore Cup next year, so making an impression in these regional Asian competitions is firmly on the agenda for 2011.

Coach Bojan Hodak keeps a close eye on his Crown squad during training yesterday

Crown's two new arrivals from Singapore, Odion Obadin (left) and Kingsley Njoku. More photos to follow.