Find out more about Malaysia’s first Group A opponents in the 2018 AFF Championship; Cambodia.
The Angkor Warriors have never advanced beyond the AFF Championship group stage, but with superstar manager Keisuke Honda at the helm, perhaps they will do better this year.
OVERVIEW
This will be the most exciting Cambodia side ever to participate AFF Cup for many reasons. They have Keisuke ‘Kaiser’ Honda as manager, who at 32 years old, is still playing for Melbourne Victory. Félix González Dalmás, 30 years old, is their head coach. Young promising players now became the mainstay, joining forces with experienced players such as Thierry Chantha Bin and Chan Vathanaka, who have experience playing abroad. An exciting formula indeed.
Keisuke Honda. Photo from @camfootball1933
SQUAD
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Goalkeepers : Chea Vansak, Keo Soksela, Um Vichet.
Defenders : Nen Sothearoth, Sath Rosib, Sareth Krya, Soeuy Visal, Hong Pheng, Sor Piseth, Cheng Meng.
Midfielders : Prak Mony Udom, Orn Chanpolin, Kouch Sokumpheak (C), Sos Suhana, Tith Dina, Chhin Chhoeun, Thierry Chantha Bin, Kouch Dani.
Forwards : Keo Sokpheng, Chan Vathanaka, Reung Bunheing, Sin Kakada, Brak Thiva.
Chan Vathanaka. Photo from Getty
HEAD COACH PROFILE
Under Keisuke Honda and Felix Gonzalez Dalmas, Cambodia have opened its door to younger players such as Phnom Penn Crown’s 19 year-old Brak Thiva, Boeung Ket’s Sath Rosib, and Sareth Krya. But everything depends on the results, and they have yet to deliver anything convincing, and recently losing to Singapore 1-2 just is not something to take lightly. Honda and Dalmas have a lot to prove in this tournament.
PLAYING STYLE
From 4-4-2 in Lee Tae-Hoon’s era, Cambodia have now switched to 4-3-3 and now look more dangerous in front, and can score in every Asian Cup qualification matches and also friendlies. Soeuy Visal and Hong Pheng still partnering up in defence, with Terengganu FC’s Thierry in the midfield area, working with Buriram’s new signings Chreng Polroth and Kouch Sokumpheak. Chan Vathanaka is still their biggest star but he’s not alone. Keo Sokpheng, Prak Mony Udom, Reung Bunheing or even Brak Thiva are ready to join forces.
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