SEA games Football: Cambodia Renews Rivalry against Thailand

Cambodia players during training ahead of the tie against Thailand

Cambodia will this afternoon renew rivalry with neighbors Thailand and the u-23 team trade tackles in the SEA games at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium, Jakarta, Indonesia.

Cambodia Coach Tae Hoon Lee, was not a happy man last Wednesday night, After watching his team let go a half time lead to lose 2-1 Against the young Lions of Singapore

Lee said afterwards that up to the point before the 56th Minutes equalizer by Singapore, the team was cruising however his players lack of confidence denied Cambodia of taking the full points over Singapore.

“I think we did well in the first 45 minutes but my players lack of confidence to see the game off cost us victory in the end” said Lee after training on Thursday afternoon.

Coach Lee ( middle) under pressure to deliver

“I thought that we had a fighting chance of winning the match after taking the lead in the 35th minute. They kept pressing us hard at the start and we needed to do a lot of defending" He said.

“Cambodian Players always lack confidence playing away from home which affects our performance. But we will give our best against Thailand tomorrow (Today) and see what happens in the end" Lee assured

Cambodia will go into today's match without some key players which is a headache for Coach Lee. Striker Khoun Laboravy is out through suspension after he was sent off in the match against Singapore. Defender Chhun Sothearath is also out after two yellow cards in earlier games while Sensational Goalkeeper Sou Yaty suffered an ankle ligament which has ruled him out of this epic Thai. This injury and suspensions have compelled Coach lee to change personnel and also tactics for this match.

" We will have to change our approach to this game" he said. " We have lost some key players, Ravy and Sothearath are suspended while Goalkeeper Yaty is injured" he explained.

Khoun Laboravy leads the team in training despite suspended for today's tie.

In place of the injured Yaty, Um Vichet is set to make his bow for the U-23 after playing in the U-19s. " Its my first game and I am excited about it, I hope to do my best to keep the Thailand strikers out" Says the Ministry of Defense Safe hand Um Vichet

Keo Sokngorn will also be making his first start after being out due to injury in the first two games. The Thai based striker is confident of a good performance and will count on his experience in the Thai league. " I know the how the Thai play, and I will be out giving my best to see us win, I am confident of victory" the former Phnom Penh Crown forward stated.

• 14525 reads
• Printer-friendly version