PHNOM PENH (May 28): The "Koupreys," the Cambodian Men's National Rugby Team, have completed their final preparations for Saturday's test match against Laos in Vientiane.
Kickoff for Saturday's match is slated for 3 p.m. at the National University of Laos. The teams will play again on July 12 in Jakarta, Indonesia during the HSBC Asian Five Nations Regional Tournament.
Although the Koupreys have won the last two meetings between the two nations (26-16 last year and 30-0 in 2006), Cambodia head coach Brian Thomas feels the past is pretty much irrelevant.
"Laos might be the most improved team in the region,'' said Thomas. "We saw it when we played last year, and we were fortunate to beat them. This is going to be a very difficult match for us."
Thomas believes ball control will be the key in Saturday's contest.
"We've got some quick guys in the backs who can make things happen, but that means nothing if we can't get the ball and keep possession of it."
Thomas also announced that lock forward Yun Sopha, 25, has been selected as the Kouprey team captain for 2008. The new Kouprey skipper, who plays for the Phnom Penh club PSE Garudas during the domestic season, has played for the Koupreys for the past two international seasons.
Financial support for the Kouprey trip to Laos has been provided by the Embassy of France in Cambodia and the Billabong Hotel in Phnom Penh.
Further Information Contact:
Ray Leos
Director of Media Relations
Cambodian Federation of Rugby
Email: cambodia.rugby(at)gmail(dot)com
Tel. (855) 12 620 571