PHNOM PENH (18 Dec 2011) – The Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) have unveiled the new format for the Samdech Hun Sen Cup 2012 which will be organised on 7 January to 4 February. The annual Hun Sen Cup is into their sixth edition this year.
Kul Sophana, the general secretary of the FFC said this week that the expanded Hun Sen Cup will for the first time see a qualification round being staged at five provincial centres, othen a group stage played in Phnom Penh.
The winning teams from each group and three of the best-ranked runners up team will advance into the final rounds to be held at the National Olympic Stadium on 20 January 2012. Awaiting them are the top eight teams from the Metfone C-League – Phnom Penh Crown, Naga Corp, Preah Khan Reach, National Defence Ministry, Build Bright United, Kirivong Sok Sen Chey, National Police Commissary and Chhlam Samuth.
The 16 teams will then be split into four groups of four (two provincial qualifiers and two premier league clubs) where they will then battle in round-robin matches to determine the best two that will head to final-eight knockout ties.
“We do not want to have a big gap in the standard between provincial sides and the top-tier teams. With this new format, we believe that teams who can qualify from each centre will not be weak. We are managing the fixtures like World Cup and ASEAN Cup campaigns,” he said.
QUALIFYING ROUND
East Centre: Prey Veng, Svay Rieng, Kampong Cham, Phnom Penh
Central Centre: Kampong Thom, Siem Reap, Banteay Meanchey, Oddar Meanchey, Preah Vihear
West Centre: Kampong Chhnang, Pursat, Kampong Speu, Battambang, Pailin
North Centre: Mondulkiri, Ratanakiri, Stung Treng, Kratie
South Centre: Takeo, Kampot, Kep, Preah Sihanouk, Koh Kong
