SEA Games mis-adventures

Cam U23s v Malaysia. Back Row LtoR: Sovan, Rithy, Soksana, Rady, Sothearath, Laboravy. Front Row: Pancharong, Yaty, Raksmey, Souhana, Chhoeun

There's not much more to say that I haven't said already about Cambodia's SEA Games football mis-adventures. Cambodia came unstuck again, as expected, in their final Group A match of the Jakarta-based SEA Games this afternoon, losing 4-1 to reigning champions Malaysia. Playing their 4th game in the space of seven days, Chhin Chhoeun netted a consolation for Cambodia on the hour, after Malaysia went in 3-nil up at the break - with Sok Rithy having a nightmare at the back - and then added another on full-time when Prak Mony Udom failed to clear his lines. So that's 2 goals in 4 matches for Cambodia, both by Chhoeun, whilst they conceded 16 goals at the other end. Lee Tae-Hoon, Cambodia's Korean coach, selected Sou Yaty between the sticks and stuck with his defensive-minded midfield with an extra defender added for comfort. Conceding a goal after just seven minutes sank his plan, yet again.
Lee's words of infinite wisdom on the team's performances in the competition are worth nothing. "The campaign was not a total loss. The players have been learning from game to game and I think that they are better players as compared to when they first came to Jakarta. I believe that this team can only get stronger and they will definitely be better at the next SEA Games in 2013." Well, we all hope the team will get stronger of course, but I hope that Lee isn't suggesting that he stays in charge for the next SEA Games, as that would be disastrous. He's had his time at the helm, it's now time to hand the baton to someone more experienced and capable. I fully expect the Federation to see sense and end the Korean experiment, which is their 2nd attempt at it, and both have been as unsuccessful as each other. The positives from the four defeats are that the players who did play will benefit from the international experience, though players like Soun Veasna and Keo Sokngorn, who spent most of their time on the bench, were under-utilised by the coach and he has to answer for that. In fact, he has to answer for the last 14 months of poor results, as I've said ad nauseam.
Cam U23s v Malaysia: Yaty, Raksmey, Rady, Sovan, Rithy, Pancharong (Pheng 47), Sothearath, Chhoeun (PM Udom 84), Souhana (Saray 20), Laboravy, Soksana. Subs not used: Vichet, Daravorn, Phearith, Veasna, Dalin, Sokngorn.

... and again

Cam U-23s v Thailand: Back Row LtoR: Raksmey, Vichet, Rady, Sokngorn, Sovan, Rithy. Front Row: Saray, Pancharong, Soksana, Souhan, Chhoeun

We have to face facts, the Cambodian team is simply not equipped, tactically, mentally and physically, to mix it with the best in Southeast Asia. That was again demonstrated in this afternoon's match with Thailand in the SEA Games Group A. I only watched the second half on live stream on my lap-top and aside from a header by substitute Sok Pheng and a free-kick by Prak Mony Udom, both of which forced the Thai keeper into tip-over saves, it was all one-way traffic for the whole game. Thailand ran out easy 4-0 winners. Keeper Um Vichet, in for the injured Sou Yaty, did well to keep the scoreline down with a few fine stops and the woodwork saved further embarrassment on at least three occasions. Cambodia couldn't hang onto the ball and there were too many anonymous players on the park - particularly Souhana, Pancharong, Saray and Soksana - leaving Thailand to have the lion share of possession and frequently pressing the Cambodian backline in numbers. If you face that much pressure you will concede goals, as Cambodia did. I didn't agree with coach Lee Tae-Hoon's starting line-up or his substitutions for that matter, but it mattered not a jot. Whatever team he selected from his squad would've found it hard going, after suspensions ruled out Khuon Laboravy, Chhun Sothearath and injury left Yaty off the pitch. The players looked jaded as the 2nd half wore on and you've got to believe that a similar scoreline is likely when they meet Malaysia on Sunday in their final match. I fear the worst. I fully expect that match to be the final game of Lee Tae-Hoon's stint as the national coach. He's had 14+ months to get his act together and the team simply shows no sign of improvement. Time for a new broom to sweep clean. It's up to the federation to make it happen and to put both Lee and the Cambodian football public out of their misery.
Cam U-23s v Thailand: Vichet, Rady, Raksmey, Rithy, Sovan, Pancharong, Saray (PM Udom 66), Sokngorn (Pheng 46), Souhana, Chhoeun (Dalin 70), Soksana. Subs not used: Yaty, Daravorn, Phearith, Veasna. Suspended: Laboravy, Sothearath.

Cambodia's stand-in skipper Sok Rithy (3) tries to stem the Thai flood

Cambodia crash

Cam U-23s v Singapore. Lost 2-1. Back Row LtoR: Laboravy, Sovan, Sothearath, Soksana, Raksmey, Rithy. Front Row: Saray, Souhan, Yaty, Chhoeun, Pancharong

I'm just in the door after six days away and catching up on the SEA Games results. Obviously I'm disappointed that Cambodia have begun the competition with two defeats but am I surprised, obviously not. The 6-0 thrashing by Indonesia on Monday was to be expected, with the home team on a high at the start of their competition and in front of a sell-out crowd. They whipped in four goals in a 15-minute spell in the 1st half and that was game over. Lee Tae-Hoon decided to start with the inexperienced Sos Souhana, leaving Keo Sokngorn and Sok Pheng on the bench. In goal he went with Sou Yaty, whilst Pheak Rady got the nod over Lay Raksmey at full back. Aside from Chhun Sothearath, the midfield looked lightweight in the extreme and Indonesia must've thought Christmas had come early. Last night Cambodia played their 2nd match in the Group of Death - Group A and lost out 2-1 to Singapore after taking the lead with a flukey cross from Chhin Chhoeun that sailed over the head of the goalkeeper and in at the far post on 35 minutes. At least Cambodia will go home with a goal in their goals scored column if little else. As you'd expect, Singapore rallied in the 2nd half and netted twice to sink Cambodia's hopes of a surprise result. To add to their misery, skipper Khuon Laboravy got a 2nd yellow card and a red one to boot in the final minute. The only change that Lee Tae-Hoon made to his starting line-up was bringing in Raksmey for Rady. Cambodia play Thailand tomorrow (Friday) at 5pm in the third of their four matches. I would expect the coach to make changes, to at least start with Sokngorn, or what was the point in taking him in the first place. I'd also give starts to Soun Veasna and Sok Pheng, in place of Souhana and Soksana, and Yaty needs a rest after picking the ball out of the net 8 times in two games, so Um Vichet should get the nod this time around. Thailand lost 2-1 to Malaysia in their only game so far, so they'll be gunning for a win from the first whistle tomorrow, so Cambodia's tactics will need to reflect that.

Final 20

Will this be the starting line-up on Monday? I hope not.

The Cambodian U-23 squad list of 20 players for the SEA Games has finally seen the light of day, with the players travelling to Jakarta tomorrow and meeting Indonesia in their first match on Monday. The players to get the nod from South Korean head coach Lee Tae-Hoon are as follows:
Goalkeepers: Sou Yaty, Um Vichet.
Defenders: Sok Sovan, Sok Rithy, Lay Raksmey, Pheak Rady, Moul Daravorn, Touch Pancharong, Samuth Dalin.
Midfield: Suon Veasna, Pov Phearith, Chhun Sothearath, Tum Saray, Prak Monu Udom, Chin Chhoeurn, Sos Souhana, Phoung Soksana.
Strikers: Sok Pheng, Khuon Laboravy, Keo Sokngorn.
Do I agree with the coaches' final pick? As far as it goes, most of them pick themselves with the exception of half a dozen players, who I don't believe will cut the mustard at this level of international competition. My gut feeling is that we will end up getting thumped by all four of our opponents. I sincerely hope that won't happen, but I wouldn't bet against it. You need tactical nous at this level of high octane regional rivalry and I don't believe the coach possesses anywhere near enough to prevent his team being handed a footballing lesson or four. Indonesia are first up, followed by Singapore, Thailand and then reigning football champions Malaysia; all four of them are desperate for regional success and all four will expect to beat Cambodia comprehensively at this level. If I had to select the starting XI from the 20-man squad then I would go for: Yaty, Raksmey, Rady, Sovan, Rithy, Veasna, Sothearath, PM Udom, Sokngorn, Laboravy, Pheng.

Under pressure

I've heard from Sok Sovan today that he and Phnom Penh Crown teammate Sok Pheng are both included in the final party of 20 players selected for the Cambodian U-23 squad for the forthcoming SEA Games in Indonesia. The team travel to Jakarta on Saturday and face their first big hurdle when they meet the hosts, Indonesia, on Monday. There have been lots of financial inducements bounded about for the Cambodian participants in the SEA Games who come home with medals from NagaWorld and the Prime Minister chipping in as well, though that is very unlikely to happen with the football team. They are ranked well below most of the countries competing in this month's Games and are pretty much guaranteed to finish bottom of the 'Group of Death,' Group A, unless there's a series of minor miracles in their matches against Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. It ain't gonna happen. Even the Phnom Penh Post, known for their fence-sitting, came out of their hole in the ground to heap a bit more pressure on Lee Tae-Hoon, Cambodia's national team coach, on their back page today. PPP's Indian sports writer Manju admits Lee has been less successful than the coach had hoped and had been unable to get the best out of his team. With Cambodia's series of inept results during Lee's tenure over the last 14 months, I'd call that a gross understatement. Neverthless, Manju reckons that Lee is determined to answer his critics and prove his detractors wrong. Well, this writer is all for that. Bringing home the SEA Games gold medal would be just dandy. The PPP journo also talks about the World Cup defeat in Laos and suggests that 'the controversy rumbled on in another form when armchair critics and self styled experts pounced on him with accusations of playing down the significance of World Cup qualifiers.' Bollocks. The Cambodian camp had said well before the Laos games that the SEA Games were the target and the World Cup was basically an inconvenience. You don't have to be an armchair critic or self styled expert to point out that those sort of ill-informed comments fly in the face of every football fan in the country and anyone who has an interest in the beautiful game. Success in the World Cup, however fleeting, is something to treasure and should not be derided in favour of a regional competition, in which you know you will get badly mauled anyway. I've never been a big fan of Manju's reporting style and his sneer at anyone who dares to comment on local football or the national team takes the biscuit as he and the PPP rarely climb from underneath their rock with any opinion piece worthy of the name when it comes to football. They are usually far too busy with the tennis.
The final 20-man selection should be published tomorrow. With the Group A games taking place on the following dates, I will most likely be out of internet range for all of them except the final game, so I apologise beforehand for not providing my usual service when it comes to crucial games and especially national team games. I'll be on an island in the middle of the Mekong River.
Cambodia's SEA Games schedule:
7 Nov Indonesia v Cambodia at 7pm
9 Nov Singapore v Cambodia at 7pm
11 Nov Thailand v Cambodia at 5pm
13 Nov Malaysia v Cambodia at 4pm

Heading for disaster

He's had more lives than your average cat, Cambodia's coach, Lee Ta-Hoon

The feeling that Cambodia are heading for a disaster in the upcoming SEA Games is getting stronger by the minute. I saw for myself in 2009 how seriously the other teams in southeast Asia take this competition and how prepared their football teams are. Even though its played at U-23 level, countries like Vietnam and Thailand are determined to show their regional sporting strength and play as if their lives depended on it. Cambodia's team, who lost 1-0 to Nepal last night, and it wasn't Nepal's full senior squad in action whatever anyone tries to tell you, showed little in the way of sparkle considering they have this important competition just days away. In fact, Lee Tae-Hoon's teams rarely show anything resembling the kind of football that will get the Cambodian public on the edge of their seats. If there was ever a tide, it's definitely turned against the South Korean coach who has been responsible for a series of disappointing results in various competitions over the past 14 months. His suggestion that the World Cup was unimportant compared to the SEA Games may just be about to explode in his face, judging by the strength of the teams Cambodia will soon find themselves up against. For the players sake, I hope they do well and can hold their heads up, but frankly, I fear the worst. I simply don't believe the Korean has the tactical nous against the standard of opposition they will face, or the motivational skills to pump his team up for these high pressure matches. He has made his own bed and now has to lie in it, especially after refusing to include proven quality players like Khim Borey in his gameplan. The football federation in Cambodia must shoulder the blame for what's about to happen. They appointed an unproven and inexperienced coach because he came with the blessing, and financial backing, of the South Korean FA. Essentially, you get what you pay for and with Cambodia not footing the coach's salary, I'm sure you get the picture. It's too late to change anything now, we missed that particular boat long ago, and we'll just have to ride out the storm that's just about to break. So I suggest we batten down the hatches, because it's going to be a very rough ride in Jakarta.
Here are some photos from last night's 1-0 defeat friendly international to Nepal. Judging by the lethargic performance, it was one game too many following the BIDC Cup tournament and I hear that the coach was bemoaning a few injuries his team have picked up. let's hope they clear up over the next few days before the team take on the hosts Indonesia on 7 November. Apologies for the picture quality, my camera doesn't like night-time.

The Cambodian team line-up for the press, and my piss-poor camera

The tv camera catches the players singing the national anthem

The Cambodian bench with the coach on the far left

PPCFC's Sok Pheng (20), man-of-the-match Sou Yaty and capt Khuon Laboravy (11)

Some of the Cambodian team lining up before the match begins

All smiles before the start from Sok Sovan, Sok Rithy and Chhun Sothearath

Nepal's coach, and former England & Spurs defender, Graham Roberts

All change

News just in that the match dates for the SEA Games have already been changed, despite the draw being made just a few days ago. It sounds remarkably like the way the football federation in Cambodia handle their competitions. The changes see every match in group A, that includes Cambodia, has been brought forward by two days from the original date. So, the matches for Cambodia in the SEA Games next month now look like this:
Cambodia's SEA Games football fixtures:
7 Nov Indonesia v Cambodia at 7pm
9 Nov Singapore v Cambodia at 7pm
11 Nov Thailand v Cambodia at 5pm
13 Nov Malaysia v Cambodia at 4pm
All matches will be played at the 88,000 capacity Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.

Incredulous decision

A jubilant Khim Borey after scoring for his country in the AFF Suzuki Cup in 2008

How the heck can the head coach of a national football team go to a major championship without his best striker? But that's exactly what Cambodia's coach Lee Tae-Hoon is planning to do with the SEA Games, held every two years, just around the corner. It's hard enough to understand him at press conferences as it is, but to try and get inside his head with this decision, is simply impossible. Pure and simple, it makes no sense whatsoever. Khim Borey is a proven goalscorer in international football. His record makes that abundantly clear even to the most one-eyed of football analysts. Yet, the inscrutable South Korean coach refuses to be budged and will not be taking the Phnom Penh Crown marksman to the Games in Jakarta. Borey has a pretty impressive CV considering he's only just turned 22 years old. He was the Cambodian League’s Golden Boot winner when he top scored with 18 goals in 2008 as his team finished in 2nd spot in the Cambodian League, and he captained the Army team to a Hun Sen Cup Final success in 2010, against Phnom Penh Crown. On the international scene, Borey made his debut for his country against Syria in the Nehru Cup in 2007, having progressed rapidly in that same year from the national youth team through the Under-23 side to full international. In 2008 he scored five goals in eleven appearances for his country and then registered a rare international hat-trick against Timor Leste in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup qualifiers held in Laos. Born in the village of Kouk Kanhchab in Takeo Province in southern Cambodia, he first came to prominence playing for the Koh Kong provincial team as a sixteen year old, before joining the National Defense Ministry club in 2006. He’d played for the Army boy’s team a couple of years earlier and conveniently lived next door to the Army headquarters in Phnom Penh. Operating primarily as a striker throughout his career, he missed five months of the 2009 season with a persistent ankle injury and in 2010 was regularly used in a deep-lying midfield role by the Army team. Before the start of the 2011 season, Borey joined Phnom Penh Crown but was denied a starting place in the Hun Sen Cup competition by the football federation. At the same time, current Crown coach David Booth, then coach at Thai Premier team Sisaket, took him on a season-long loan to northeast Thailand, where he played ten games in one of the best leagues in Asia before returning to Crown in time to line-up in the club's AFC President's Cup successes in Taiwan last month. Quite simply, Borey has been one of the country's outstanding performers over the last four years, yet Lee Tae-Hoon seems to be the only one that doesn't see it. Pointedly, Borey has more international experience as a player, despite his young age, than Lee has as a national team coach. It's a truly incredulous decision and one which will surely come back to bite the coach on his arse.

Glaring omissions

Sok Sovan (4) heads a goal against Thailand but could miss out on the SEA Games

The 20-man squad for Cambodia's tilt at the SEA Games was published in the Phnom Penh Post today and as the competition is for the U-23 age bracket, the squad almost picks itself, except for a few notable non-selections by the South Korean coach Lee Tae-Hoon. From my point of view, the three most obvious omissions are all from my club, Phnom Penh Crown. Goalkeeper Peng Bunchhay, defender Sok Sovan and striker Khim Borey have all been ignored. All three, on current form, should walk into the squad and the team, but the head coach obviously doesn't agree. Both Bunchhay and Borey have previously played under Lee, and he's messed them about before as well. He knows all about them and obviously doesn't rate them. He left them out of the recent BIDC Cup games. The case of Sovan is different. He played in all three BIDC games and performed well, alongside Sok Rithy in the middle of the defence, so his omission comes as a shock. He's the freshest player in the squad, having played sparingly throughout the season just ended. I'm gutted for him if he doesn't make it, as he deserves to be on the plane to Indonesia. With such a small squad, Cambodia's options are limited so I must confess surprise at four names that appear, keeper Sar Sophea, full-backs Chhin Meang Seang and Samuth Dalin and striker Mat Hasan. None of these four would've made my final twenty. Instead the three I've mentioned above and Army's Oum Kumpheak would walk into the squad. The team have one more friendly to flex their muscles, against visiting Nepal on Friday 28 October at Olympic Stadium before they head to Jakarta to face the might of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia. Lee's 20-man SEA Games squad looks like this:
Goalkeepers: Um Vichet, Sou Yaty (both Army), Sar Sophea (Preah Khan Reach).
Defenders; Pheak Rady (Army), Sok Rithy, Lay Raksmey (both PKR), Chhin Meng Seang, Touch Pancharong, Samuth Dalin (all Nat Police).
Midfielders: Chin Chhoeurn, Phuong Soksana (both Army), Prak Mony Udom, Soun Veasna, Tum Saray (all PKR), Chhun Sothearath (BBU), Sos Souhana (Prek Pra).
Forwards: Sok Pheng (Phnom Penh Crown), Khuon Laboravy (PKR), Keo Sokngorn (Samuth Sakhon), Mat Hasan (Prek Pra).
Postscript:
There is, in all probability, changes afoot to the above squad which was most likely submitted a while ago to ensure it met SEA Games eligibility rules - the final squad will show some adjustments. I have it on good authority that Sok Sovan will be included as will Pov Phearith in midfield. Likely casualties will be Chhin Meng Seang and Mat Hasan. Which makes more sense, but we shall wait and see.

It could be murder

Tough luck on Cambodia in the football draw made today for the upcoming SEA Games 2011 in Jakarta, Indonesia. They drew the short-end of the straw and were placed in the toughest possible group, Group A, alongside Thailand, Singapore, current holders Malaysia and hosts Indonesia. The matches start on 3 November, Cambodia open up with a game against the hosts on 9 November, with the main SEA Games competition beginning on 11 November. The only consolation is that they didn't draw Vietnam but it's scant as they were in by far the easier group, alongwith Myanmar, Laos, Philippines, Timor Leste and Brunei. Now if Cambodia had been drawn in that group, they could've conceivably progressed, with a lot of good fortune and refereeing decisions going their way, but as it is, they have no chance. They'll be lucky to get a point in fact. It could be murder. The SEA Games is played at U-23 level and Cambodia have been warming up for it with the BIDC Cup against U-19 national teams. Lining up against the U-23 sides of these four countries will be a different kettle of fish as they are far more experienced and rated a higher standard. I await the final squad selection of coach Lee Tae-Hoon with interest.
Cambodia's SEA Games fixtures:
9 Nov Indonesia v Cambodia : 11 Nov Singapore v Cambodia : 13 Nov Thailand v Cambodia : 15 Nov Malaysia v Cambodia. All matches at the 88,000 capacity Bung Karno Stadium in Jakarta.