On the touchline

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8L3cB_2H_UwKJgny_A2tNkxOLn_2iphFHDJJGjAMWO_trgezjWWk-Aalz9LAsHsGOymUe-xhRFO8izllDSBxsu_sOgR2D90rlqXV_-qZ_dhJJMuQfJ1gKmoikP0eyMou_YSbNXhCYEPX/s1600/201600.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513024250310117522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp8L3cB_2H_UwKJgny_A2tNkxOLn_2iphFHDJJGjAMWO_trgezjWWk-Aalz9LAsHsGOymUe-xhRFO8izllDSBxsu_sOgR2D90rlqXV_-qZ_dhJJMuQfJ1gKmoikP0eyMou_YSbNXhCYEPX/s400/201600.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Head national football coach, Lee Tae-Hoon</span><br /></span></div>The 25-strong Cambodian national team squad are currently in training camp across the border in Vietnam, preparing for their important AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying matches in Laos towards the end of October. The <span style="font-weight: bold;">coaching team</span> that will support the squad during their month and a half in preparation, and who will select the final 20 players to make the trip to Laos, are shown here. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lee Tae-Hoon</span> (39) is the head coach, recently arriving to take over the post vacated by Australian Scott O'Donell, and who has had two spells as assistant coach of the South Korean women's team and who was a midfielder with K-leaguers Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for six seasons. His coaching credentials are unknown and the appointment was made at the behest of the Korean football federation, who will pay his salary. Alongside him are his two Cambodian assistant coaches, both former national team players, now AFC B and C-licence qualified coaches respectively, <span style="font-weight: bold;">Oum Savong</span> and <span style="font-weight: bold;"> Ieng Saknida</span>, and goalkeeper coach Prak Sovanny. Savong played for the national team in the 1990s, whilst Saknida has cut his coaching teeth in charge of the Cambodia national U13 and U14 teams after his playing career in midfield took him to Samart United, Hello United, Naga, Preah Khan and Khemara and a regular start in the national team. <span style="font-weight: bold;">Prak Sovanny</span> has been the goalkeeping coach under both the last two national coaches, Prak Sovannara and Scott O'Donell and does the same job with Phnom Penh Crown. The team's physio will be <span style="font-weight: bold;">Hay Sakiry</span>, who accompanied the national team to Laos for the SEA Games, whilst <span style="font-weight: bold;">Vann Ly</span> remains as team manager.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oEWoyDQKwKKPnKp7lqKfsZ3rAhtiXH4zVtvsmFQx-wiXWV8RujXkstYqQAS10XdMMbqcpo5-p6nii2Hc6A9noGs97aW27B4Q2gDOAVG05sYAVF_PKUFVTGAbOnO5f1M-THbtw8ccY639/s1600/201603.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513024185515409490" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2oEWoyDQKwKKPnKp7lqKfsZ3rAhtiXH4zVtvsmFQx-wiXWV8RujXkstYqQAS10XdMMbqcpo5-p6nii2Hc6A9noGs97aW27B4Q2gDOAVG05sYAVF_PKUFVTGAbOnO5f1M-THbtw8ccY639/s400/201603.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 319px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Assistant coach Oum Savong</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpNyGMvW_fy6YSSSLHO8MQd4sdT49WNVhSq524_2UWSAfgcFRGrR4kJ1NTkB-hbESy7VSJbNminlKcWHNj_f3FrNhb8QomxyirhXCHuYj6tHB-1jb8mnmJjgHDmxQh-MuzqatZ0H8hnAs/s1600/7706.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513024014856116962" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpNyGMvW_fy6YSSSLHO8MQd4sdT49WNVhSq524_2UWSAfgcFRGrR4kJ1NTkB-hbESy7VSJbNminlKcWHNj_f3FrNhb8QomxyirhXCHuYj6tHB-1jb8mnmJjgHDmxQh-MuzqatZ0H8hnAs/s400/7706.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Assistant coach Ieng Saknida</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p5VQ9320P0LTmAgG9UDUM6l-CfaO15qGjtRMxsD1v2oAtbot0KqsndKLhd-aoYwu9zjqRMB7eMYpZS6eQ_VPLMBXF1Y6Kyru3CujK56SDIqlcr2HdgnOmUy0kGM9xXt88re2I0AFaSAo/s1600/104397.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513023827848858770" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6p5VQ9320P0LTmAgG9UDUM6l-CfaO15qGjtRMxsD1v2oAtbot0KqsndKLhd-aoYwu9zjqRMB7eMYpZS6eQ_VPLMBXF1Y6Kyru3CujK56SDIqlcr2HdgnOmUy0kGM9xXt88re2I0AFaSAo/s400/104397.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 312px; height: 327px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Goalkeeping coach Prak Sovanny</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdzp6962ePUGEpghFCkHPsdI5Ha9Kdv_njaFgiR-9svyh4xXOb8lfbCslLEFw7byr9K_qx_f8CLXPpqV4H1pr8OlJ7bdj4gb6hszejm1RLITtsCQdlanYe1zrvdyQlzK9ggTny-fswl7c/s1600/106240.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513023691635005906" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizdzp6962ePUGEpghFCkHPsdI5Ha9Kdv_njaFgiR-9svyh4xXOb8lfbCslLEFw7byr9K_qx_f8CLXPpqV4H1pr8OlJ7bdj4gb6hszejm1RLITtsCQdlanYe1zrvdyQlzK9ggTny-fswl7c/s400/106240.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 305px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Physio Hay Sakiry</span><br /></span></div>

On the touchline

Head national football coach, Lee Tae-Hoon The 25-strong Cambodian national team squad are currently in training camp across the border in ...

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Courting controversy

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_OFLQLEON6L1m72Py5Xq-qsizn0Tn25z1Zshgl4smycZKYJewGvXBarceVFFvPMHhgIZHEk8pCInJ4Zpijs9CkzDUFzagf3baDeLtM6MvtOefVFmnCEF-7dW66dERxKI0LYV9_k5o2sW/s1600/seiha.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511608927012141106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_OFLQLEON6L1m72Py5Xq-qsizn0Tn25z1Zshgl4smycZKYJewGvXBarceVFFvPMHhgIZHEk8pCInJ4Zpijs9CkzDUFzagf3baDeLtM6MvtOefVFmnCEF-7dW66dERxKI0LYV9_k5o2sW/s200/seiha.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 174px; height: 200px;" /></a>The new Cambodian national team coach, South Korean Lee Tae-Hoon, has made the first choices of his new regime by selecting 25 players from a training squad of 38, to travel to Vietnam today, and already he is courting controversy. The month and a half in Vietnam will give the new coach the opportunity to put his new squad through their paces - he is said to believe they are only 60% fit - before they go to Laos for the important AFF Suzuki Cup matches in the second half of October. However, out of the reckoning, at least as far as the trip to Vietnam is concerned, are a who's-who of the country's best players. They include the country's best keeper Samreth Seiha (pictured), defenders Om Thavrak, Sun Sovanrithy and Thong Udom, midfielders Oum Kumpheak, Prak Mony Udom, Pok Chanthan and winger Nov Soseila, whilst up front the national team will have to do without Teab Vathanak and Chan Chhaya. All of them were in previous squads announced by the former coach Scott O'Donell, except teenager Thong Udom. I think Seiha may be carrying an injury, I hope so as he's the best stopper we have. Of the 25 being taken to train at the home of V-Leaguers Hoang Anh Gia Lai, there are a few surprises, not least keeper Peng Bunchhay, who I thought had an average season for Phnom Penh Crown, eight players from the Army side that experienced such an appalling second half of the season and players like Nuth Sinoun and Tum Saray who spent large portions of the last campaign on the bench. Of the players originally announced for the training squad, the players highlighted in <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">blue</span> and in<span style="font-style: italic;"> italics</span> have been dropped from the squad that will be in Vietnam. The schedule for the national team in Vietnam has not been announced but it's understood they will play a series of friendly matches as part of their Suzuki Cup preparation.<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Goalkeepers:</span> </span><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 255); font-style: italic;">Samreth Seiha</span>, Sou Yaty, Peng Bunchhay, Ouk Mic.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Defenders:</span> Rang Borin, Pheak Rady, Khek Khemarin, Nhim Sovanara, Rim Bunhieng, <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;">Touch Sokheng</span>, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Sos Nasiet</span>, Tieng Tiny, <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;">Chan Dara</span>, Sok Rithy, Lay Raksmey, San Narith, Thul Sothearith.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Midfielders:</span> Sun Sopanha, Ieng Piseth, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Soung Vireak</span>, Phuong Soksana, <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;">Prum Putsethy</span>, Chhun Sothearath, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">In Vichheka, Kim Chanbunrith, Sok Chanrasmey</span>, Tum Saray, Khuon Laboravy, Samuth Dalin.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;">Forwards:</span> Khim Borey, Kuoch Sokumpheak, Sin Dalin, Nuth Sinoun, <span style="color: rgb(0, 204, 204); font-style: italic;">Teab Vathanak</span>, Keo Sokngorn, <span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(0, 204, 204);">Sok Pheng, Kop Isa, Long Nasy</span>.

Courting controversy

The new Cambodian national team coach, South Korean Lee Tae-Hoon, has made the first choices of his new regime by selecting 25 players from ...

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Notable absentees

<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUxFDpQMToZcZFGqLIV2E4N4sjCGoh3EfZneg-Emwpc9hlo02OY2W1SbQf5oJV5Su1nPvuj3LgR26SAU7aadLpE1EcYYPJsWGtsiMxEuXttfYgug4YOjpfclTueZr6FhkPPXyMi5PO8Qc/s1600/104428a.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508984634291200130" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTUxFDpQMToZcZFGqLIV2E4N4sjCGoh3EfZneg-Emwpc9hlo02OY2W1SbQf5oJV5Su1nPvuj3LgR26SAU7aadLpE1EcYYPJsWGtsiMxEuXttfYgug4YOjpfclTueZr6FhkPPXyMi5PO8Qc/s200/104428a.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 157px; height: 200px;" /></a>I've managed to get the list of 37 players called for national team squad training tomorrow morning translated and there are some notable absentees from the list. Top of the names that are missing is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sun Sovanrithy</span> (pictured), the U23 skipper under Scott O'Donell and without doubt one of the top players in Cambodian football. His absence is a massive clanger by the coaches who selected the training squad. There's a suggestion that its because of his performance in the play-off semi-final when he got himself sent off, and if that's the case someone needs to get their head out of their ass and think about the bigger picture. Sovanrithy is a major part of the national team and the new coach Lee Tae-Hoon will be at a big disadvantage without him. Another nailed-on certainty for the national team should be Oum Kumpheak from the Army. I can only think that he's injured, hence his absence. He missed the last few Army games so that must be the reason. Already out of the picture was Nov Soseila who fell out with the Army coach and hasn't been seen for months. Another balls-up which will impact on the national team. Other players missing who I think deserve a spot in the squad are centre-half Thong Udom (Army) and midfielder Pok Chanthan (Naga). 4 players who were in the last national squad, Om Thavrak, Prak Mony Udom, Lorn Sotheara and Chan Chhaya, have played so few games this season that I can understand their omission.<br /><br />Here is a list of the 37 players called-up by the football federation to take part in training sessions this week, in order to identify a reduced squad of about 25 that will head to Vietnam for a training camp on the 31st of this month. The 45-day camp will be at the home of V-Leaguers Hoang Anh Gia Lai. HAGL were one of the teams that joined in the BIDC Cup in Phnom Penh before last year's SEA Games, and they have pledged $4 million towards the construction of the new Cambodian national football center being built in the Bati district of Takeo.<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Goalkeepers: </span>Samreth Seiha, Sou Yaty, Peng Bunchhay, Ouk Mic.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Defenders:</span> Rang Borin, Pheak Rady, Khek Khemarin, Nhim Sovanara, Rim Bunhieng, Touch Sokheng, Sos Nasiet, Tieng Tiny, Chan Dara, Sok Rithy, Lay Raksmey, San Narith.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Midfielders:</span> Sun Sopanha, Ieng Piseth, Soung Vireak, Phuong Soksana, Prum Putsethy, Chhun Sothearath, In Vichheka, Kim Chanbunrith, Sok Chanrasmey, Tum Saray, Khuon Laboravy, Samuth Dalin.<br /><span style="font-style: italic; color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Forwards:</span> Khim Borey, Kuoch Sokumpheak, Sin Dalin, Nuth Sinoun, Teab Vathanak, Keo Sokngorn, Sok Pheng, Kop Isa, Long Nasy (Ministry of Interior, and only player outside the CPL).

Notable absentees

I've managed to get the list of 37 players called for national team squad training tomorrow morning translated and there are some notabl...

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Tae-Hoon meets and greets

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoni5c9Y2IdGt5D5h7EnX3JIm7fUfFzlmRffwC21k93K3rt4hD3hQrGdCdqRdHrk7u-UUhdDUkIMYu-2FZWisg_aPP2O_lQWBSySRgjHSFd3IGCoWBRfgGmjTvQFT3cGMnsJQbBfKJQUJU/s1600/201600.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508896726407746034" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoni5c9Y2IdGt5D5h7EnX3JIm7fUfFzlmRffwC21k93K3rt4hD3hQrGdCdqRdHrk7u-UUhdDUkIMYu-2FZWisg_aPP2O_lQWBSySRgjHSFd3IGCoWBRfgGmjTvQFT3cGMnsJQbBfKJQUJU/s400/201600.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Lee Tae-Hoon, the new national team coach of Cambodia, at Olympic Stadium this afternoon</span></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;">The new national football team coach of Cambodia - <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lee Tae-Hoon</span> - met his players for the first time this afternoon. A squad of 36 players were called into the federation headquarters at Olympic Stadium to introduce themselves to the 39-year-old coach from South Korea and to hear more of the immediate plans before the squad is reduced to about 25 players for the training camp in Vietnam from the 31st of this month. Serious training will begin tomorrow morning at Olympic Stadium under the new coach, who's most recent experience was as the assistant coach of the South Korean national women's team. 8 of the players who reported in today are carrying injuries including Keo Sokngorn, San Narith, Samreth Seiha and Khim Borey. How serious those injuries are will have to be determined by the medical staff. Lee Tae-Hoon - his family name is Lee - spoke briefly to the players through an interpreter and introduced his backroom team, assistant coaches Ieng Saknida, Oum Savong, goalkeeping coach Prak Sovanny and physio Hay Sakiry.<br /></div></div>

Tae-Hoon meets and greets

Lee Tae-Hoon, the new national team coach of Cambodia, at Olympic Stadium this afternoon The new national football team coach of Cambodia - ...

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It all starts now

The next bout of football to get excited about for Cambodian football fans will be the national team's involvement in the qualifying rounds of the <span style="font-weight: bold;">AFF Suzuki Cup</span>, which have today been confirmed as taking place in Vientiane, Laos between 22-30 October. Cambodia will join the host country, Philippines and Timor Leste in battling out for the two places up for grabs in the competition finals which will be shared between Vietnam and Indonesia from 1-29 December, with the group games scheduled from 1-8 December. The draw for the qualifying round and competition proper will take place on 15 September, and the teams who've already booked their finals place are Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia and Myanmar. The winners will collect $100,000 and all games will be screened on ESPN Star Sports tv channel. Vietnam are the current Suzuki Cup holders, beating Thailand 3-2 over two legs in December 2008. Cambodia qualified for the finals in 2008 though suffered three reversals in their group matches, against Singapore (5-0), Indonesia (4-0) and Myanmar (3-2).<br /><br />Now that the Cambodian League season has come to a close, the focus will turn to the <span style="font-weight: bold;">Cambodia national team</span> and the new South Korean coach, Lee Tae-Hoon, who arrived in Phnom Penh on Friday, just in time to watch the season's finale, where Phnom Penh Crown defeated Preah Khan Reach 4-3. Lee Tae-Hoon will meet his training squad of players tomorrow at the Olympic Stadium for the first time. The expanded squad will head off to Vietnam soon to prepare for their AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying games in Laos between 22-30 October. That gives him just over a month and a half to whip the team into shape, though in my opinion, the national team virtually picks itself already. The new coach will have his own ideas about formations and styles of play but having watched the majority of this season's C-League matches, the following team line-up is my take on the best eleven that the national team coach can field (with club and age in brackets):<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Goalkeeper:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Samreth Seiha</span> (Army, 20)<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Defenders:</span><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-h57mA_hJW4hGhval4yQmpLRtln91rMqqBsTNYB4WI-sgGUpR2oQLZ67w6VH_GQ5i1IW2iXDV4Y5hu9GEa2xtK2eZ5hlBl5mj4AisXNlxWnXDT_sSvHfHgpE_eZipTOU5STBq6emDcxN/s1600/tiny.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508644076153055026" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-h57mA_hJW4hGhval4yQmpLRtln91rMqqBsTNYB4WI-sgGUpR2oQLZ67w6VH_GQ5i1IW2iXDV4Y5hu9GEa2xtK2eZ5hlBl5mj4AisXNlxWnXDT_sSvHfHgpE_eZipTOU5STBq6emDcxN/s200/tiny.jpg" style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 169px; height: 199px;" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Lay Raksmey</span> (Preah Khan, 21) <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sun Sovanrithy</span> (Naga, 23) <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Tieng Tiny</span> (PPCrown, 24) <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Sok Rithy</span> (Preah Khan, 19)<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Midfielders:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Chhun Sothearath</span> (BBU, 20)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Sun Sopanha</span> (PPCrown, 23) <span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Keo Sokngorn</span> (PPCrown, 18)<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Khuon Laboravy</span> (Preah Khan, 21)<br /><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0); font-style: italic;">Forwards:</span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Kuoch Sokumpheak</span> (Khemara, 23)<br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Khim Borey</span> (Army, 20).<br /><br />Samreth Seiha and Sou Yaty are easily the two best goalkeepers in the C-League and they both play for the Army, though Seiha gets my nod by a whisker. In Raksmey and Sovanrithy, the team have two full-backs who love to gallop forward, and Sovanrithy is equally effective in midfield. Tieng Tiny (pictured) is head and shoulders the best defender in the C-League and Sok Rithy has recovered from injury but needs to cut out playing the ball out of defence and just hoof it away. Sothearath and Sopanha have both had great seasons and are similar in style, so I'd have them patrolling the middle of the park and keeping it tight. That would enable Laboravy to push forward down the left with Keo Sokngorn given a free role to wander wherever he likes. In attack both Sokumpheak and Borey know where the goal is, they have tremendous experience despite their tender ages and they also work their butts off. No surprises in my selection as these eleven players are the best the C-League has to offer. There are one or two others who could argue their way into the line-up but in my opinion, this is the best starting team that Cambodia can put out.

It all starts now

The next bout of football to get excited about for Cambodian football fans will be the national team's involvement in the qualifying rou...

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Worst kept secret

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-1Sk420DthAGhQeSlNZA-YgY2SBcY4nuQU00PKtJj4n7DfNGBW1Y_W6EzJ2qgNpv4l3IUVCdFT4F_-Y_6pHuGJavp94nTEBjIjJU7aJWmpAczLX7Iu47YhZlfUGpx7gydRG3uOVhabyX/s1600/7706.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5497858990533252146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-1Sk420DthAGhQeSlNZA-YgY2SBcY4nuQU00PKtJj4n7DfNGBW1Y_W6EzJ2qgNpv4l3IUVCdFT4F_-Y_6pHuGJavp94nTEBjIjJU7aJWmpAczLX7Iu47YhZlfUGpx7gydRG3uOVhabyX/s400/7706.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 313px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="color: rgb(153, 0, 0);">Ieng Saknida, who's stepped up from the U13 and U14 teams to the national team coaching staff under the new South Korean coach </span><br /></span></div>The word on the terraces is that the new coach of the Cambodian national team will be South Korean coach <span style="font-weight: bold;">Sejin Yeo</span> who has previously coached the South Korean Women's international side. In more recent times he's been an AFC match commissioner. We should hear more about his past once the appointment has been confirmed by the football federation. His Cambodian backroom team will be two former national team players, now AFC B and C-licence qualified coaches respectively, Oum Savong and Ieng Saknida, and goalkeeper coach Prak Sovanny. Savong played for the national team in the 1990s alongside Naga's coach Prak Sovannara, whilst Saknida has cut his coaching teeth in charge of the Cambodia national U13 and U14 teams after his playing career in midfield took him to Samart United, Hello United, Naga, Preah Khan and Khemara and a regular start in the national team. Prak Sovanny has been the goalkeeping coach under both the last two national coaches, Prak Sovannara and Scott O'Donell and does the same job with Phnom Penh Crown.<br /><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">Postscript:</span> The name of the new coach of the Cambodian national team is <span style="font-weight: bold;">Lee Tae-Hoon</span>, a 39-year-old former assistant coach of the South Korean women's team.

Worst kept secret

Ieng Saknida, who's stepped up from the U13 and U14 teams to the national team coaching staff under the new South Korean coach The word ...

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