Sokha to football squads: Set goal to win medals and prestige for Kingdom
AS THE Cambodian Football Federation named its official squads for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games), its president Sao Sokha reiterated that the goal of both the men’s and women’s teams was to win both matches and honour for the Kingdom.
In a May 2 meeting with both teams, before they head to the Vietnamese capital Hanoi later this month, Sokha said: “The mission for both teams is to bring home medals and prestige to the motherland.”
He considered their participation at the SEA Games as much a responsibility as a right, and urged them to seek their best results.
“Behind you, there are millions of Cambodians who are supporting you, and will be watching your matches closely, so you have a huge responsibility to them as well as yourselves,” he said.
Sokha suggested that both national teams focus on how to achieve good results, especially medals, because victories will help football in Cambodia to grow and attract more support – from both the public and sponsors.
“Victory is very important! No wins, no medals, no fans. Without fans, there are no sponsors, and without sponsors, our football will not be able to move forward,” he added.
On the same day, the football federation and the national team coaches – under the leadership of Japanese manager Keisuke Honda – released its list of the final 20 players in Cambodia’s men squad who will fly to the games. Six players were cut from the extended squad: Voeun Va, Chan Sara Pich and Sar Ratana of Prey Veng FC; Pem Kao Sinh of NagaWorld; Non Nath of Angkor Tiger; and Chhoeung Visinu of Electricite du Cambodge (EDC).
The 20 players who made the SEA Games’ squad are goalkeeper Hul Kim
Huy, Sieng Chanthea, Soeuth Nava, Tang Bun Chhay and Vang Davin of Boeung Ket; Nan Sosidan of the Tiffy Army; goalkeeper Virak Dara, Ki Rina and Sa Ty of Visakha; Sin Sovanmakara of Prey Veng; Chea Sok Meng and Phat Sokha of NagaWorld; Mao Piseth of Angkor Tiger; Im Sam Oun of Kirivong Sok Sen Chey; Chuon Chanchao, Yeu Safi and Lim Pisoth of Phnom Penh Crown; and Min Ratanak, An Pisey and Jou Sinti of Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.
The national men’s team is in Group B, where they will open their campaign
against Laos on May 9, meet Singapore on May 11 and Thailand on May 14 before they play their final match against Malaysia on May 16. Group A features hosts Vietnam, Indonesia, Myanmar, Philippines and East Timor.
The 20 final members of the women’s squad are Ban Cheavey, In Srey Nich, Keat Sivhorng, Kim Chanthet, Nhor Srey Neth, Poeun Kunthea, Soeun Vipha and Ty Samnang of Phnom Penh Crown; Chan Thin, Chhit Saphoeun, Kep Toansamay, Mat Saphea and Yoeun Srar Nit of Preah Khan
Reach Svay Rieng; Sok Ly, Hok Saudy, Yon Yeun and Chea Samphors of NagaWorld; and Jin Soviet, Hea Srey Las and Pheung Srey Phost of Siem Reap.
However, coach Prak Vuthy does not expect the Cambodian women’s team to qualify beyond Group A, despite the withdrawal of the Indonesian team. Group A features hosts Vietnam and the Philippines, both very strong sides, who have already secured their places in the 2023 World Cup. Group B features Thailand, Myanmar, Laos and Singapore.