BROKEN BUT NOT SHATTERED

The Cambodian national football team lost all three of their group matches which was played in Indonesia, including a 5-0 drubbing by defending champions Singapore.

Team spirits remain high, however, with the Royals taking many positives from their experiences in the Asean Football Federation (AFF) organised competition.

Cambodia head coach Prak Sovannara said that the players showed good determination and had struggled hard to be competitive – as they look to improve on their previous performances in a tournament in Indonesia three months ago.

“Before, we lost to Myanmar 7-1, but this time we only lost 3-2,” said Sovannara.

“Our defence is getting stronger, but we are still not flexible enough. In the future, we will have to work on adapting to changes in play.

“Singapore altered their technique against us, playing the long ball and hitting short passes, so they beat us easily.”

In the meantime, striker Kouch Sokumpheak was delighted to record his second-ever goal for his country in their match against Myanmar, after nearly four years of playing for the national team.

“I was trying very hard to get a goal,” said the 22-year-old.

His only other goal for Cambodia came at last year’s SEA Games which was held in Thailand.

Kouch said the conditions for the tournament were good, with similar playing surfaces to that of Phnom Penh’s Olympic Stadium and fair, consistent refereeing for all teams.

“There were many spectators clapping and cheering for Cambodia, especially for our game against Singapore,” he said.

“My favourite match was against Indonesia because they had a lot of local support, and that gave me a strong desire to compete.”

The striker predicted Singapore would win the tournament because of their many foreign-born players, whose size advantage can prove decisive.

“We found it hard to play against them because they were big and strong and had good technique,” said Kouch of the naturalised players.

“I hope one day Cambodia will win the AFF Cup, but that will only happen if we get more support and motivation.”

The national team will now focus their attention to the 2009 SEA Games, which will be in Laos next December.

SOURCE: The Phnom Penh Post