PHNOM PENH (3 May 2012) – Cambodia’s Phnom Penh Crown FC are ready to take a second bite at this year’s AFC President’s Cup after announcing this week of their eagerness to hosts Group B matches alongside the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC).
“It is our honour to receive the vote of confidence from the AFC on Cambodia’s ability to host this event for the second time,” said FFC Vice President Khiev Sameth, who is also a vice president of the AFF to the Phnom Penh Post.
David Booth, who led Crown to the final of last year’s President’s Cup, highlighted the youthful exuberance of his squad and vowed to complete the unfinished business that he had last year.
“There is a belief in this team, I am confident that they will perform better than before,” said Booth.
Crown succumbed to a 3-2 defeat to Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power Company in 2011 final.
“There’ll be a lot of people following and hoping that we can do well for Cambodian football. Whatever we’ve done up to now, whether we win or lose, the fact is that we’ve put the name of Cambodian football that little step higher and in future competitions, they’ll get a little bit more respect from other teams than in the past.
With two clubs getting a ticket to the final round, Crown have to get the better of previous champions Dordoi Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan and finalists Nepal Police Club. Also in the Group are Bhutan’s champions Yeedzin FC.
Crown’s first match is against Yeedzin on Saturday before taking on Nepal Police Club on Monday. Their last match is against Dordoi Dynamo on 9 May 2012. All Crown matches will be broadcast live on local TV channel. All matches will be played at the National Olympic Stadium with the exception of the last match between Nepal Police and Yeedzin, which will be played at the Army Stadium.
Group A are Pakistan’s KRL Football Club, defending champions Taiwan Power Company of Chinese Taipei and tournament debutants Erchim FC of Mongolia while Group C are FC Istiklol (Tajikistan), Balkan of Turkmenistan and Palestine’s Al Amari Youth Club.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the final round to be played from 24 to 30 September, 2012. The hosts for the final round will be announced at a later date.
