THE STRONG SILENT TYPE

Chantha Bin quietly runs Terengganu engine room

FRENCH-BORN Cambodian footballer Thierry Chantha Bin is known as a silent hero in Terengganu. He does all the hard work for Terengganu as a defensive midfielder but rarely receives accolades for his efforts.

Chantha Bin, who idolises Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, is a heartthrob in Cambodia unlike in Terengganu where he plays second fiddle to his foreign teammates Lee Tuck and Kipre Tchetche in terms of popularity.

The 27-year-old, a regular with Cambodia’s national team, is known for his good reading of the game and fighting spirit. His duty is to cut off all efforts by other teams to break through Terengganu’s defence.

Chantha Bin, a former French Under-17 player, was at his best when Terengganu drew 2-2 with Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) in the Malaysia Cup semi-final return leg at Larkin Stadium last weekend for a 3-2 aggregate victory.

Now, the Cambodian hopes to help his side beat Perak in the final at the Shah Alam Stadium on Saturday.

“Credit goes to everyone in the team for reaching this far in the Malaysia Cup. It would be great if I can win the title in my first season with Terengganu.

“The Malaysia Cup means a lot to every player... it is a competition which everyone wants to win in this country, and I hope to hoist the trophy.

“I will be extra motivated on Saturday as I am determined to dedicate the winners medal to my wife, Kate Sutherland, who has sacrificed a lot by moving from Canada to be with me and furthermore, our first child is due in April.

“Terengganu is a nice place to be. I love the fans and also the local food, especially ‘keropok lekor’.

“We have succeeded by overcoming JDT, the strongest team in the country, so I believe this will motivate us in the final,” Chanta Bin added.

For the record, Terengganu have won the Malaysia Cup only once, achieved in 2001.