A Soccer Match Against Cluster Munitions and Landmines

08/20/2012
Katherine Marshall
Senior Fellow, Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs at Georgetown University
Huffington Post

The London Olympics were in full swing on Aug. 5, but in Battambang, Cambodia, on the other side of the world, the Oslo Cup pitted four soccer (or football, as it's called in Cambodia) teams against each other. The winners? Team Landmine and Cluster Munitions Survivors. It was an awesome match, worthy of the Olympic ideals of excellence, respect and friendship. The match finished in drenching rain, stretching into overtime. Among the heroes was one young man who used his head instead of the arms he had lost in a landmine accident to shoot a goal.

The tournament took place on the sprawling grounds of the Catholic Church in Battambang. Jesuit priest Father Enrique Figaredo (known as Father Kike) is the Apostolic Prefect there. He has worked in Cambodia almost non-stop since 1985. He works closely with the Jesuit Refugee Service, Cambodia, which has a long, distinguished track record. Jesuits were among the first foreigners to return to Cambodia from the refugee camps on the Thai border after the brutal years of killing under the Khmer Rouge and its aftermath. The Jesuit Service Cambodia has been and remains a leader in the International Campaign to ban landmines and cluster munitions. Indeed, the Nobel Peace Prize that was awarded to the Campaign lives at the Metta Karuna Reflection Center in Siem Reap.

It wasn't really a Cambodian victory in the soccer match ... Hun Xen was allowed to score 5 points by himself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EONUAYDBRnk

Suzuki Cup: P'pines 0-0 C'bodia

Tuesday 26th October 2010
ESPN Star

Philippines have qualified for the group stages of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2010 after a goalless draw with Cambodia.

Needing only a point to assure themselves of a top-two finish in the qualifying competition, the Pinoys rode their luck in the first half as Sun Sopanha and Khoun Laboravy both hit the woodwork for Cambodia.

With neither side able to break the deadlock, both teams finished the qualifiers with five points although the Philippines enjoyed the better goal difference.

Cambodia still had a chance to qualify but their hopes were ended when Laos thrashed Timor Leste 6-1 in Tuesday's later game to eliminate their Indochinese neighbours.

Laos will now face hosts Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia in Group A in Jakarta while Philippines will meet defending champions Vietnam, Singapore and Myanmar in Group B in Hanoi.

With so much at stake, both teams began the match in a cautious manner with Philippines enjoying the better of the early chances.

A deep cross from the left by Ray Jonsson in the 15th minute just failed to pick out an unmarked Ian Araneta, while Phil Younghusband should have done better when he fired wide of the left upright three minutes later.

Cambodia gradually asserted themselves and went close to breaking the deadlock in the 28th minute after they were awarded a free-kick near the left by-line for a foul on Khim Borey. Despite the narrow angle, Sopanha went directly for goal and his shot cannoned back off the left upright.

Five minutes later, the Cambodians were awarded another free-kick, this time on the right edge of the Philippines box for David Basa's trip on Keo Sokngon. With the Philippines defence anticipating a cross, Laboravy nearly caught them out by blasting his effort against the crossbar.

The ball rebounded to Kouch Sokumpheak but the striker sent his header straight into the grateful arms of goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

The Philippines defence was nearly caught out by a long through ball to Borey four minutes into the second half. Etheridge came out of his box and just managed to get to the ball as the Cambodian midfielder attempted to round him.

Cambodia intensified the pressure and Sokumpheak should have given them the lead in the 62nd minute when he missed the ball with an airshot after being found completely unmarked in the Philippines box by Sophana's cross from the right.

A minute later, Sokumpheak just failed to get the telling touch again after he was found at the near post by Borey's centering pass from the left byline.

Having survived those scares, the Pinoys were able to turn aside whatever the Cambodians could throw at them in the remaining minutes.

They could even have grabbed a winner as Phi Younghusband forced a fine diving save out of Cambodian goalkeeper Ouk Mic in stoppage time.

Suzuki Cup: Philippines vs Cambodia

Tuesday 26th October 2010
ESPN Star

Philippines coach Simon McMenemy insists his side will look to attack Cambodia despite only needing a point to progress.

With the Philippines managing a 2-2 draw with hosts Laos on Sunday, the Pinoys will only need a draw at the National Sports Complex in Vientiane in order to advance, but McMenemy believes that his side should take the game to Cambodia.

Speaking to the competition's website, he said: "It was a crucial goal at the end of the match against Laos. We deserved it and in the bigger picture, it made a significant difference for what we need in our final game in order to qualify for the group stage.

"However, we do intend to go into the game with Cambodia looking for a draw. We want to win."

McMenemy admitted he was not impressed with the Pinoy's performance against Laos, but gave them credit for coming back after being two goals down at half-time.

"I felt that we were deserving of a point and you can see a lot of improvement in the players", he said.

"In the past, Philippines footballers have been criticised for not showing too much passion.

"If the team was losing by two goals, they were unlikely to come back from that position.

"But we have been working on our team spirit and the players showed after half-time that they were not prepared to lie down and fought until the very end. I'm very pleased with the passion and endeavour that they showed.

The English coach dismissed doubts about Emelio Caligdong's fitness, despite the player being stretchered off after a knock on his thigh during their clash with Laos.

"He's feeling very sore right now but we will put him his paces in training and he should be okay," McMenemy said.

"He's like rubber so he should bounce back quickly."

The Philippines have a good record against Cambodia in the Suzuki Cup, winning 1-0 in 2007 and 3-2 in 2006, and Cambodia's coach Lee Tae-hon is aware of the task at hand for his side.

"Philippines have a good team and they are also strong physically," said the South Korean.

"However, we have a determined side who want to win. I will prepare them as well as possible and I have strong confidence that they can get past this qualifying round."

The winner between the two sides will top the qualifying group, as both Laos and Timor Leste are out of the running for the top spot.

Spain's World Cup win wasn't pretty, but wipes away its frustration

Robin Van Persie of the Netherlands tackles Sergio Busquets of Spain during the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa Final match between Netherlands and Spain at Soccer City Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. (Clive Mason, Getty Images / July 11, 2010)

A goal 28 minutes into extra time by Andres Iniesta defeats the Netherlands, 1-0, allowing Spain to claim sport's most cherished prize after decades of disappointment. But the world witnessed a sloppy match marked by 14 yellow cards.

July 11, 2010
By Kevin Baxter
Los Angeles Times

Johannesburg, South Africa — An evening that began with fireworks ended in tears of joy for Spain, which erased decades of frustration Sunday by finally hoisting the World Cup trophy.

Andres Iniesta's goal 28 minutes into extra time, mixed with a spectacular game from keeper Iker Casillas, gave La Furia Roja an ugly but hard-fought 1-0 win over a shorthanded Netherlands squad before a raucous, vuvuzela-tooting crowd of 84,490 at Soccer City Stadium.

It was the third time in the last five World Cups that the final went into extra time. The earlier two were decided by penalty kicks.

Iniesta's goal – which came when he batted a loose ball out of the air in the penalty area -- made that unnecessary. And by claiming the most cherished prize in sports two years after winning the European Championship, Spain may have finally quieted critics who have long said it can't win the big one.

An estimated 700 million people watched on television as Spain became just the eighth country to win the World Cup, with the broadcast reaching every country on the globe. That's 100 million more than watched the opening ceremonies from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

But while it must have been pleasing for Spain to win, it wasn't pleasing to watch them do it with referee Howard Webb being forced to issue 14 yellow cards and one red card, with Dutch defender John Heitinga getting off early in the second 15-minute extra period.

The festivities began with an elaborate, star-studded closing ceremony that included a brief appearance by former South African President Nelson Mandela – who received a standing ovation. But viewers who expected that to be followed by an entertaining fast-paced match between two teams must have been disappointed.

It wasn't supposed to be that way. A day earlier Spanish Coach Vicente Del Bosque predicted the game would be an advertisement for artful soccer. Instead it gave soccer – artful and otherwise -- a black eye.

This match was more like an ad for professional wrestling.

Spain came into the final with an impressive resume, having won 30 of its 32 games under Del Bosque, who took over the team after Spain's victory in the 2008 European Championships.

But the Netherlands had done even better, winning its first six World Cup matches to run their unbeaten streak to 25 games dating back nearly two years.

And recent skeins of success weren't the only thing the two sides had in common, though. Both normally practice an identical ball-control style of play that relies heavily on the skills of their midfielders. And it was in the midfield that much of Sunday's final was contested – though not always as expected, with both teams engaging in some uncharacteristically rough play.

In the eighth all-European final -- but the first such final outside Europe -- both teams were aggressive from the start. Maybe too aggressive, with Webb, struggling to get control of the match, handing out five yellow cards in the opening 28 minutes, with three going to unusually thuggish Dutch.

The teams didn't combine for that many shots on goal in the first half. And Webb never did get control of the game as both teams continued to embarrass international soccer's top official with their play.

Spain, which had a wide advantage in ball possession in the opening half, also had the first good scoring opportunity when a Sergio Ramos header off a free kick appeared headed for the corner of the goal in the fifth minute. But Stekelenburg, diving to his right, managed to get a hand on it.

Two minutes later it was Holland's turn with Dirk Kuyt taking advantage of some rare poor passing on Spain's part to get off a 25-yard shot that proved an easy save for Iker Casillas.

What followed was a lot of pushing and shoving before the scoreless first half came to a close with the Dutch enjoying their first prolonged attack of the night, one that ended with Arjen Robben's left-footed shot from the edge of the penalty area curling into Casillas' arms at the near post.

The Dutch started the second half a little more interested in playing soccer, with their midfielders doing a much better job of maintaining possession. As a result, Holland mounted a couple of quick rushes into the Spanish end in the first 10 minutes.

But it also collected two more yellow cards and the fans in the stadium began to whistle their displeasure over the fact that a game expected to be a showcase of tactical soccer was on the verge of becoming a street brawl.

There was still room for artful efforts, though, the first of which came in the 62nd minute when Casillas made a brilliant save on Robben.

The Dutch striker caught the Spanish defense pinching up toward midfield. And when a lead pass drew him clear of the pack, he came in alone on the keeper. Casillas charged out of the goal to meet him about 10 yards from a net and used his foot to make a stop on what looked to be a sure goal.

Casillas rushed out of the net again in the 83nd minute to stop another breakaway by Robben, who ended up on the ground after the rough stop. The Dutch star chased Webb back up the field screaming in protest, earning a yellow card – Holland's sixth of the match -- for his trouble.

With the game still scoreless, Spain's best second-half chance came in the 69th minute when Villa collected a loose ball on the doorstep of the Dutch goal. But he booted his shot wildly over the goal.

Four minutes later Villa mis-hit a free kick, sending it over the net as well.

Spain had a chance to go ahead five minutes into extra time but Cesc Fabregas was robbed on a breakaway by Dutch keeper Stekelenburg. And moments after that Holland missed a chance to score the first goal when Joris Mathlisen's header went over the crossbar.

kevin.baxter@latimes.com

Cambodia PM warns against betting on World Cup

Thursday, June 10, 2010
AFP

PHNOM PENH — Cambodia's premier warned football fans to resist illegal gambling on the upcoming World Cup, with police across the country ready to arrest anybody found having a flutter.

"On Friday, the World Cup will start. I would like to appeal to (the people) not to bet on football," Prime Minister Hun Sen said during a student-graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

"Both secret and open football betting must finish. Just watch it and clap your hands," he said.

Hun Sen said he did not want to see "other countries win the football, but Cambodian people lose money."

Cambodia's sole football bookmaker was abruptly closed in early 2009 as Hun Sen ordered a crackdown on betting, saying that gambling caused family disputes, domestic violence and robbery.

The pitfalls of a football career in Cambodia

(Photo: AP)

May 24, 2010
ABC Radio Australia

The sudden death of a Nigerian soccer player during a game in Phnom Penh earlier this month has raised questions about foreign players who migrate to Cambodia in the hope of securing a football contract. Mostly Nigerian, they arrive with expectations of big money and the chance to be drafted into the more prestigious leagues in neighbouring Thailand and Vietnam. But for many, what they find is disappointment and hardship.

Presenter: Liam Cochrane
Speakers: Maxwell Woko, Nigerian soccer player; Ken Gadaffi, president of the Nigerian Community Association; Andy Brouwer, sports reporter for the Phnom Penh Post; May Tola, deputy general secretary at the Cambodian Football Federation

Click here to listen to the audio program (Windows Media)

COCHRANE: As the day's heat cools into evening at Phnom Penh's Olympic Stadium, dozens of small soccer matches take place in the carpark outside the ground. But one is different - all the players here are African.

They wear bright yellow and red shirts and play a fast-paced game of 5-on-5.

They call this corner of gravel San Siro after the stadium A.C Milan play at. They say it's a place for strong macho players, but actually this is where the players who can't find a team in the Cambodian league come to play each night.

Amidst the dust there is frustration and disappointment.

MAXWELL WOKO: My name is Maxwell Woko from Nigeria, so I came to Cambodia, that was last year 2009, February 14th, so I came to this place with my manager. He brought me here and I only spend two weeks in this place, then after the two weeks, he would take me out from this country. So at the end of the day, I found myself in a critical condition. All what he told me did not not fulfill the promise.

COCHRANE: That promise has been made to dozens of African footballers, mostly from Nigeria.

Ken Gadaffi is president of the Nigerian Community Association.

KEN GADAFFI: Football is a passion in Africa and so much of them leave the continent, going to Asia, to Europe, with the hope of securing sort of greener pastures. So I think their motivation is born from the fact that they come to Cambodia, hoping to tie up lucrative deals.

COCHRANE: But lucrative deals simple don't exist. The best any player in Cambodia can hope for is a contract with one of the 10 premier league clubs - receiving accommodation, food and a few hundred dollars a month. The league limits the number of foreign players each club is allowed, leaving around 100 African players vying for just 30 positions. For Maxwell Woko, the search for a contract soon turned sour, when his manager abandoned him.

MAXWELL WOKO: When he took money from me at the airport, then he would take you to hotel, then dump you at the hotel.

COCHRANE: It sounds almost like trafficking in footballers?

MAXWELL WOKO: Yeah, yeah, just like trafficking.

COCHRANE: Andy Brouwer is a football journalist for the Phnom Penh Post.

He says that while the African players come to Cambodia seeking fame and fortune, they've helped boost the standard of the game.

ANDY BROUWER: They just have more experience, they are more physically strong and they usually form the spine of any of teams they play for, so we're talking central defender, central midfield, central striker and so they have a big influence on the games.

COCHRANE: Some foreign players are so desperate to get onto the pitch, they play for free.

That was the situation for 25-year old Wilson Mene, playing without a contract for Prek Pra Keila.

In early May, 25 minutes into a match, Wilson Mene collapsed on the pitch and could not be revived - killed by a suspected heart attack.

Some, like Ken Gadaffi, believe poor living conditions contributed to his death.

KEN GADAFFI: There are questions to how has been feeding, has he been receiving the right nutrition to withstand the rigours of playing on such intense condition.

COCHRANE: Wilson Mene's death has forced the Cambodian Football Federation to review its rules for foreign players.

May Tola is deputy General Secretary of the Federation.

MAY TOLA: Next time or may be next year we will be more firm on the contract, make sure that the club treat the player fairly.

COCHRANE: However, football reporter Andy Brouwer believes that the hardships faced by African players are no different to those faced by Cambodian footballers.

ANDY BROUWER: I get a little annoyed when I hear that the African players say that they are treated badly, but to be perfectly honest with you, as far as I am concerned they are treated exactly the same as the Cambodians.

COCRHANE: Back on the gravel track outside Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Maxwell Woko is still angry at the agent, Robinson Oyebo, who brought him to Cambodia.

He says the agent is now back in Nigeria, possibly bringing more footballers to Cambodia.

Maxwell Woko says they should think twice.

MAXWELL WOKO: I have to advise them that they should not make any movement to come to Cambodia.

COCHRANE: With no money for a plane ticket home, 25-year old Maxwell Woko, sees just one path ahead.

MAXWELL WOKO: I'm sticking ahead with my career, my football career.

Cambodian children set to kick at World Cup in Johannesburg

PHNOM PENH, April 5 (Xinhua) -- Eight Cambodian teenagers will compete in a football tournament and cultural exchange in South Africa during the 2010 FIFA World Cup to highlight the need to eradicate land mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) worldwide, local media reported on Monday.

The team members, four girls and four boys aged 13 to 15 from Battambang, Banteay Meanchey and Pailin provinces, were selected by the organization Spirit of Soccer and the Cambodian Football Federation to compete in the Football for Hope Festival in Johannesburg.

"I think it's a great opportunity for them to be a part of the training," said Rachel Haig, senior program adviser for Spirit of Soccer in Cambodia was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

"These kids have never been on a plane.... They have no idea where South Africa is, so we're trying to mentally and culturally prepare them for this journey."

Spirit of Soccer, an international NGO that uses football to educate children about the dangers of land mines in Cambodia and Iraq, was one of 32 organizations chosen to sponsor a team for the tournament.

Two of the Cambodian team members have relatives who have been victims of UXO accidents, and a third team member witnessed a UXO accident involving a neighbor.

Haig explained that the first week of the festival will involve cultural exchange activities during which the members of the 32 teams will meet to talk about the effects of land mines and about issues they face in their daily lives.

According to the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMVIS), from January 2009 to January 2010 there were 257 mine/explosive remnants of war (ERW) casualties in Cambodia.

Cambodia Launch New Cup Competition To Mark Anniversary Of Independence

Oct 12, 2009
Goal.com

Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) has started a new competition -the Cambodian International Football Tournament BIDC Cup.

The tournament has been launched to mark the 56th anniversary of Cambodian independence.

The first edition will see the national Under-23 teams from Cambodia and Laos do battle with Vietnamese clubs Hoang Ann Gia Lai and Vissai Ninh Binh.

The matches will take place in Phnom Penh from November 8-14.

“Each team will meet each other once, with the top two (from points and goals scored) playing in the final for the trophy, while the other two play for third place," said Cambodia Football Federation president Sao Sokha according to the Phnom Penh Post.

"Local television network TV5 will broadcast the games live, with the opening and closing ceremonies also screened in Vietnam,”

“The champions will receive gold medals and $20,000, with the runners-up pocketing $10,000, and third-place team $5,000.

"The player of the tournament, the top scorer and the best goalkeeper will each receive $1,000.”

The Cambodian U23 team have much to do after a recent 6-0 thrashing suffered at the hands of Singapore recently.

The team will play five warm-up matches prior to the start of the tournament.

Laos And Cambodia Book AFF Suzuki Cup Spots

Cambodian soccer player at the Olympic Stadium (Photo: Cambodge Soir Hebdo)

26/10/2008
Goal.com (Switzerland)

Laos and Cambodia have booked their spots in December's AFF SuzuKi Cup beating Timor Leste and Brunei with the same 2-1 scoreline at the National Olympic Stadium in Phonm Penh.

The Loatians, proved that they are the best team in the five-team qualifiers when they scored a goal in each half for the win. Timor scored their only goal in the game from captain Alfredo Esteves in the 64th minute.

With the win, Laos will be based in Bangkok in the eight-nation competition while Cambodia will be head to Jakarta in December.

With both teams needing to win the tie on the day to make into the next round, it was Brunei who drew first blood through Hardi Anak Bujang in the 44th minute before Cambodia replied with the equaliser through Sam El Nasa a minute later.

But Borey delivered the winning strike in the 73rd minute in front of more than 15,000 fans.

Philippines failed to win a place due to scoring less goals than Cambodia after both teams were tied on points and goal difference.

At the final tournament, Laos will compete against Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam while Cambodians will meet Myanmar, Singapore and Indonesia.

FINAL STANDINGS

1. LAOS 9pts (+2)
2. CAMBODIA 7pts (+1)
3. PHILIPPINES 7pts (+1)
4. BRUNEI 4pts (-1)
5. TIMOR LESTE 1pt (-5)

Cambodia to hold Premier League Football Tournament in May

PHNOM PENH, Feb. 10 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia will hold its Premier League (CPL) Football Tournament from May to September, said a sports official here on Sunday.

"This year we have 10 footballs clubs to play for CPL and they are the strong clubs of the country," said Keo Sarin, deputy secretary general of the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC).

The strong clubs can always attract more spectators and sponsors, he said.

CPL is the most important annual soccer event of Cambodia.

Soccer-Roundup-Cambodia appoint new [South Korean] national coach

PHNOM PENH, Dec 21 (Reuters) - Soccer news in brief from around the world:

Cambodia have hired former South Korean international Yoo Kee-heung to coach the struggling national team, the country's soccer federation said.

Yoo, whose salary will be paid for by a South Korean company, takes charge of a near-penniless team that has won nothing and sits 183rd in the world rankings. The Korean Technology Company has agreed a sponsorship deal with the team worth $205,000 a year, half of which will be Yoo's salary.

"Our new coach has already arrived," Sao Sokha, Cambodia's soccer federation president, told Reuters. "He will be with us for three years."

Yoo, 60, was a member of South Korea's coaching staff at the 1994 World Cup.

Soccer: Cambodia lose coach O'Donell after cash runs dry [-Cambodia may be cash poor, but Hun Sen's gov't officials and cronies are not]

Soccer-Cambodia lose coach O'Donell after cash runs dry

Wed Dec 19, 2007
By Ek Madra

PHNOM PENH, Dec 19 (Reuters) - Cambodia's cash-strapped national team has parted company with Australian coach Scott O'Donell because it could not find the money to pay him, the country's soccer president said on Wednesday.

O'Donell opted not to renew the contract, due to expire at the end of this year, after a sponsor paying his salary pulled the plug on the deal.

"Scott's payment is too high, we cannot afford it," Sao Sokha, president of Cambodia's soccer federation, told Reuters.

"Our country's economy is recovering from the past difficult times," he said, referring to Cambodia's three-decades of civil war, which included the brutal Khmer Rouge "killing fields" genocide between 1975 and 1979.

"For sure, Scott is a good coach but training players to achieve the level of our satisfaction we cannot do overnight," he said.

O'Donell, a well-known television soccer pundit in Asia, said he wished he could have done more with the team.

"At the end of the day it came down to money, which Cambodia doesn't really have," he said.

"There's no hard feelings, the team just didn't get the support it needed.

"I know I gave it everything I could, I've not been able to do what I wanted. They just couldn't afford to keep me on."

The Australian had endured a tumultuous two-and-a-half years in charge of the struggling side and surprised many when he refused to quit following a bizarre intervention by Cambodian Prince Norodom Ranariddh, who replaced the team with his own just days before the Southeast Asian Games in 2005.

Cambodia's team of part-timers is one of the world's least successful national sides and is currently 183rd out of the 201 countries in the FIFA rankings.

They were eliminated in the first round of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup and were hammered 3-1, 6-2 and 8-0 to finish bottom of their group in this month's Southeast Asian Games.

(Writing and additional reporting by Martin Petty; Editing by John O'Brien)

Turkmenistan beats Cambodia 1-0 in first-leg World Cup qualifying match

Gevorkyan Atur of Turkmenistan, right, kicks the ball past Cambodian goal keeper Oum Chandara, center, during the 2010 World Cup soccer first-round qualifying match Thursday Oct. 11, 2007, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. A late goal by Mamedaly Karadanov gave Turkmenistan a 1-0 away win over Cambodia in the first leg of the qualifying match Thursday.(AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Thursday, October 11, 2007
AP

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia - A late goal by Mamedaly Karadanov gave Turkmenistan a 1-0 away win over Cambodia in the first leg of their 2010 World Cup first-round qualifying match Thursday.

Karadanov scored in the 85th minute, despite Cambodia having controlled much of the game without scoring opportunities.

Turkmenistan will host the return leg on Oct. 28.

There are 19 two-legged ties in the first round of Asian World Cup qualifiers. The eleven best-ranked winners join Australia, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Iran in the third round. The other eight first-round winners go into four two-legged ties, with the winners also progressing to the third round.

The 2010 World Cup will be held in South Africa.

Asia's minnows have World Cup mountain to climb

By Ek Madra

PHNOM PENH, Oct 8 (Reuters) - With its crumbling concrete terraces and rugged turf, Cambodia's optimistically-named Olympic Stadium is the humble setting for one of the opening matches of world soccer's biggest competition.

While memories of Italy's dramatic penalty shootout victory over France in last year's final remain etched on the minds of millions of fans, the next World Cup, which starts in 976 days, is far from anyone's thoughts.

However, for Asia's minnows, the long and near-impassable road to the 2010 finals in South Africa begins this week, with the sport's whipping boys needing to pull off at least a dozen shock victories to secure one of the region's four berths.

Sitting 178th in the FIFA rankings and without a trophy in five decades of playing international soccer, Cambodia's cash-strapped part-timers admit they do not have a hope of qualifying.

When they play Turkmenistan in Phnom Penh on Thursday, it is all about national pride.

"We don't have a chance but I'm ready to give everything for my country," said Teab Vathanak, Cambodia's top striker, who works night shifts as a security guard in a Phnom Penh casino.

"I don't want our people to keep saying Cambodia are always losing."

Forty-three teams have entered the Asian qualifiers, which feature three knockout rounds and two round-robin group phases.

As well as the four qualifiers, the fifth-ranked side will playoff against Oceania's top team for one of the 32 World Cup berths.

BEYOND REACH

Cambodia's Australian coach Scott O'Donell says the World Cup finals are way beyond their reach, although he is confident his spirited team of labourers, soldiers, security guards and traffic policemen can reach the second round for the first time.

"It's achievable, if we play to our potential we can cause an upset," O'Donell told Reuters during a training session at Phnom Penh's dilapidated 1950s-built stadium.

"Maybe they (Turkmenistan) think it's going to be easy, but I don't think so."

He added: "If we reach the second round and meet another team who sneaked in, maybe we can even get to the third round."

After being introduced to soccer in the 1960s by former colonial masters France, Cambodia were fast improvers and reached the semi-finals of the Asian Cup in 1972.

But a protracted civil war followed, including the 1975-1979 Khmer Rouge "killing fields" genocide, which curtailed their progress and led to a 23-year absence from the sport.

Thol Sothearith, who earns $25 a month in the Cambodian army, believes taking part in the World Cup is an achievement in itself.

"I feel great to be in the World Cup, win or lose, it doesn't matter," says the 22-year-old defender, tying up the laces on a pair of well-worn boots.

"I bought these myself for $7," he adds with a smile and a laugh. "They're cheap but they work well."

LEAKY DEFENCE

Sothearith is part of one of the world's leakiest defences, having conceded 22 goals in their last five matches. He compares his team to players from the big European leagues and says Cambodia's poverty means there is little chance of success.

"We lack support, both morally and materially," says Sothearith, who like most of the players travels along the dusty, potholed roads to training on an aging Honda motorcycle.

"We don't have good enough nutrition, our pay is low. There is no incentive to play well."

In a country where a third of the 14 million people live off less than $1 a day, striker Vathanak's monthly salary of $130 make him a high roller, although he admits that having two jobs makes his game suffer.

"Being a footballer and working at the same time is never easy," he says.

"But I love the game, so I keep playing. I'm trying to save money to buy some new boots."

Policeman Sam El Nasa is one of the team's most experienced players, a veteran of Cambodia's last World Cup "campaign" in 2001, where they drew 1-1 with the Maldives but lost their other five matches, letting in 22 goals and scoring only twice.

"That's an old story, it's the past, forget it," Nasa says dismissively.

"Let's see what we can do this time around."

Although he is hungry for success, coach O'Donell says there is more to life than winning matches.

"Teams like us reaching the World Cup, it's not going to happen," says the television soccer pundit and former Australian A-League defender.

"They know this is the biggest game of their lives. They're doing this for their country and for themselves. All we can ask for is their best."

Roundup: Cambodia proud to host ASEAN U17 football championship

September 02, 2007

Cambodia was very proud to organize the ASEAN (the Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Football Federation (AFF) U17 Championship Tournament 2007, which went smoothly until the end, said Kek Ravy, vice-president of the Football Federation of Cambodia, here on Saturday.

He made these remarks after Thailand won Laos 3-2 in the final match in Saturday afternoon to become the champion and Vietnam beat Indonesia 4-3 to took the third place in the morning.

The tournament aimed at developing young players in ASEAN countries with professional skills in the football field. "I hope that someday in the future Asia will win the World Cup of FIFA," he said.

"We attracted thousands of spectators and it was a historical event here," he said.

There will be another match of AFF U16 in October 2007 in Indonesia, he said, adding that six teams, namely Cambodia, Hong Kong of China, Laos, Indonesia, Vietnam and Japan will join it.

During the final match, Thailand scored all its three goals in the first half of the match, while Laos had two in the second half of the match.

Laotian Coach Soulivanh Xeunvilay said his team was happy to be the runner-up.

"In the second half of the match, my boys presented dominant performance in the field," he said at the press conference held after the match.

Thai coach Prayoung Khunan told reporters that in the second half of the match, as his players were exhausted and had weak power, the Laotian team mounted up its pressure.

"We are very happy and lucky to win the Laotian team for the final match," he said.

The Thai team received the cup from Thong Khon, Cambodian Tourism Minister and president of the Olympic Committee of Cambodia.

All the matches of the tournament were done in order, despite of heavy rain now and then.

The only stain was the small-scale riot on Aug. 25, after Cambodia won Brunei 2-0 but the angry fans thought the team should have been able to score more goals.

During the violence, some 200 spectators smashed windows on four vehicles with wooden sticks and threw rocks at the military police guarding the Olympic Stadium.

Except Philippines, all ASEAN countries sent teams to the match.

The first ASEAN U17 football championship was held in 2005 in Thailand, with Myanmar being the winner, and the second in 2006 in Vietnam, with Vietnam the winner.

Source: Xinhua

The Rising [Football] Star of Cambodia: Keo Sokngon

ASEAN Football

Lethal with both feet, Keo Sokngon is the captain of the Cambodian national Under-17 team where his hard work has proven to be inspiration to his team.

And while the goals might not have been free-flowing as he would have liked, there is no doubt that striker Sokngon is the rising star of Cambodian football.

Q: Tell us a little bit about where you are from?
A: I was born in Kratie province which is located some 300km away from the capital city of Phnom Penh. And from there I started to play football first with the schools before I was spotted to play here in the city.

Q: How old were you when you first started playing football?
A: I was six-years-old then and the reason why I chose football was because of all the games which I've played, I love football the most.

Q: How many of you are there in the family?
A: Apart from my parents, there are five of us altogether - three boys and two girls. I'm the fourth kid.

Q: What do your parents do?
A: They are in sales.

Q: Does any of your siblings play football?
A: Only my youngest brother Sokpheng plays football while my older brother Sokphan is into volleyball.

Q: Your first team?
A: Roka Kandal School. I've never played for the national age-group teams for Cambodia before. This Under-17 team is my first national team assignment in an international competition.

Q: Who do you play for at the moment?
A: Previously, I played for the Kratie Province Football club – before they changed the name to Moha Garuda FC - I've been with them since I was 15-years-old. The team is currently playing in the Cambodian Second League where we are all looking forward to playing in the higher Cambodian Premier League in 2008.

Q: How many goals have you scored for Moha Garuda FC?
A: I've scored 18 goals from 13 matches.

Q: Have you always played as a striker?
A: Always – I like to score goals and of course, I've been told that it is my natural position.

Q: Who do you fashioned your playing style after?
A: Thierry Henry. I feel that we have a similar built and I like the way he moves forward.

Q: What do you think of Cambodian football at the moment?
A: Cambodian football is developing. The level is higher than before. So there is a lot of excitement for the future. The football management currently (in the Football Federation of Cambodia) is working very hard for the game to grow further and in the right direction.

Q: Do you harbour any thoughts of playing abroad some day?
A: Of course – it is the ambition of any footballer to hone their skills to the highest level. I would like to change clubs to get more experience and high level competition. But more that importantly, I would like to join clubs with good coaches.

Q: Where do you think you would like to go?
A: Vietnam for the V-League. The standard is higher than it is in Cambodia. Perhaps given the opportunity, I hope to play for Hoang Anh Gia Lai (HAGL) some day.

Q: Now that you part of the Cambodian national Under-17 team, do you have any intention of playing for the senior Cambodian national team?
A: Of course, I would like to be part of the Cambodian national team for the Asean Football Championship qualifiers next year. I don't think that it will be hard to fit in though because the older players in the team will guide me through.

Q: What do you think of Cambodia's chances for the qualifiers of the Asean Football Championship next year?
A: It will not be easy for sure but I believe that we can be competitive.

Football fans go on rampage in Cambodia

Aug 26, 2007
AFP

PHNOM PENH - ABOUT 200 Cambodian football fans rioted after the kingdom's youth team failed to score in the second half of an Asian championship match, smashing cars and throwing bottles, officials said on Sunday.

The riot broke out late Saturday at the stadium in Phnom Penh, but ended quickly after police fired a warning shot into the air, said Sao Sokha, president of the Football Federation of Cambodia.

While Cambodia beat Brunei 2-0, local fans got angry when their players were shut out in the second half, said Sao Sokha.

'Fans accused Cambodian players of not trying hard enough in the second half,' he said, adding no one was either arrested or injured.

Cambodia was hosting the Asian Football Federation's under-17 youth championship.

Nine football teams from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Laos, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam were competing in the tournament.

More than a game for Cambodia, football plays the balm

MOHAMMAD AMIN-UL ISLAM
TNN (India)

NEW DELHI, August 24: At times, football can be a healer. By the simple act of kicking a ball, the game can scoop out fun and excitement hidden inside individuals. Even nations.

Watching the visiting Cambodian side in the ongoing ONGC Nehru Cup seems to give an impression about their inherent joy of being footballers particularly when you know that Cambodia’s past is replete with tragic memories. Ravaged by internal strife, Cambodians virtually forgot how to smile. There ruled a sense of deep insecurity. But football has been able to kick out every possible worry; it has given them a ray of hope and happiness.

Cambodia is playing football. And that seems to be the biggest news for a country which is slowly coming out of the debris following the political turmoil in the 1970s. In its capital Phnom Penh, still recovering from decades of warfare and civil unrest and plagued by terrible poverty, football events remain few and far between. But even a few of them seem to affirm that Cambodia is making progress. Battered by its opponents abroad and beset by scandal at home, the national team is currently ranked 171st in the world.

"We don’t have facilities as other countries enjoy. Still, we are trying with our sincere effort to promote football," Cambodia’s Aussie coach Scott O’Donnell told TOI. Four years back in 2003, FIFA did its bit to bring about a change in Cambodia’s football set-up. The hopeful light of a new beginning emerged with the inauguration of a FIFA Goal project - new headquarters for the Cambodian Football Federation (CFF), a national training centre and a grass field were all unveiled as part of a major project.

"True. We don’t have facilities like other Asian countries. We also have very few football grounds for practice, let alone hosting tournaments. Yet, the federation is trying every possible step to develop football," explained 21-year-old midfielder Keo Kosal.

Back home, Cambodia is currently hosting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Youth Football Championship. Interestingly, it is the first time that Cambodia is hosting a sport events after its tragic past ravaged the country.

Though they have already lost two matches here, this young side will return home with loads of confidence. Besides, the event has taught them the most essential lesson of how to stay united against odds. In the process, they have put their faith in football’s basic principle, which can defuse the animosity back home. "Most of us in this team are students. We are not professional footballers. Hence, this tournament has been a tremendous learning experience for us," added Sam Minar, a crucial member of the team.

Will they come to play in Indian clubs? Both Minar and Kosal smiled, and modestly added: "We play good football. If we are considered good, then why not play in the Indian league which, we have heard, offers good money."

Cambodia beats Brunei 2-0 in ASEAN U-17 football championship

Ek Vanak of Cambodia (R) challenges for the ball with Mohammad Rackin Ramli of Brunei during their Asean Football Federation (AFF) U17 Youth Championship 2007 soccer match at Olympic National stadium in Phnom Penh August 25, 2007. REUTERS/Chor Sokunthea

August 26, 2007

Cambodia here on Saturday beat Brunei 2-0 in a match of the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) Football Federation (AFF) U17 Championship Tournament 2007.

In the first half, Cambodian player Oum Kumpheak scored a goal at the 18th minute and Soun Makara made it 2-0 for Cambodia at the 23rd minute.

After the match, Bruneian coach Kwan Soon Oh said that in the second half they concentrated on defending because the Cambodian team had a two-goal advantage.

"In the second half, we could not score a goal because the Bruneian side protected well," Cambodian coach Prak Sovanara told reporters, adding that they also should save power to play with Malaysia.

"If we lose to Malaysia, we could not qualify for the semi-final of the tournament," he added.

Source: Xinhua