14. Onwards and Upwards

Sok Chanraksmey, a 31 year old journeyman Cambodian striker who is enjoying the best spell of his career so far at EDC. A striker with a bit of everything, can run in behind, can hold the ball up, is good in the air and is a good finisher, in fact one could say in some ways an old fashioned English centre forward. He can play up front on his own, or with a partner in crime in the shape of Phanny Y Rotha and this season, Keo Udom. 

International Recall

EDC striker Sok Chanramskey has been rewarded for a fine start to the C-League season by being called up to the Cambodian national team for the South East Asian Championships, which will see the Angkor Warriors take on Laos, Singapore, Myanmar and Brunei in Group B of the tournament which kicks off on 11^th April 2021.

 Chanraksmey has won 11 caps and scored 5 goals, which means he had a good start to his international career. I am not sure why they have not selected him since, but perhaps it was down to injury or loss of form.

Match 4- Asia Euro United v EDC – 9^th April 2021

After a great start to the season I am confident we can get something out of this one. Asia Euro were mid table last season and while they have a couple of useful players I think if we can negate them, then our forward line can do the business. I will line up with a 4-2-3-1 again, with Sophina coming in for the suspended Khemarin. 

Asia Euro United 0-1 EDC

                                    Fasal 20

Three wins out of three! This was not the electrifying football we have played in the opening games of the season, but instead three hard earned points away from home. The moment which separated the two sides came from a Veasna throw in. Sung Rot lobbed the ball into the area and Math Fasal climbed above the defender to nod home. 1-0. This was a war of attrition, but Asia Euro United didn’t really threaten and our keeper Um Channou looked solid when called upon. Sophina looked the part in central defence, while Veasna as ever looked a threat on the right wing. A solid, unspectacular performance, but job done and three more points.

Match 5- Khemera Keila v EDC 

17/04/21

After our 100% start to the season, I am starting to feel more confident about these matches. I’m pleased with the improvements we have made to the squad and the high performance levels from all the players. We face Khemera without three players, Chanraksmey is on International duty, while Fasal is suspended and Ratana has just come back from injury, so Leng Sophason keeps his place at left back, Saray starts on the left wing and Keo Udom starts up front. Khemera for their part have had a decent start to the season with two wins and are lying in 5^th place, so they should not be taken lightly.

Just as an aside, this match is being played at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium. The only thing is I don’t ever recall Cambodia ever hosting an Olympic Games, summer or winter?

    

EDC 2-3 Khemera Keila

K. Udom 37                 Mol 20,45,90

O.Udom 87

Not really sure what happened to us here. A poor first half performance cost us, as we could barely get the ball. I switched to a 4-4-2 when we went 2-1 down and this improved things, but two missed headers from Khemerin has cost us here from hopeful long balls from our opponents. They were the best team we’ve played this season, very good for a promoted side and probably deserved the win. We showed resilience to come back from 1-0 and 2-1 down, but we have to defend better than this if we are going to have a good season. We drop to second in the table and to make matters worse, Suon Veasna was injured and will be out for 5-6 weeks with a calf strain.

The first goal came from a long goal kick. The ball was flicked on and Mol rounded the keeper 1-0 to Khmera. We scrapped for the ball in midfield. Raksa won the ball, Ouch Udom strode forward before playing in Keo Udom to equalise with a fierce shot into the far corner 1-1. A hopeful ball by their right back should have been cleared by Khemarin, whose missed header allowed Mol to lob the onrushing Channou 2-1 to Khemera

The equaliser came when Chammeroun’s cross was cleared and retrieved by Rotha who crossed for the onrushing Udom who powerfully headed the ball home for 2-2

The killer blow came from another hopeful long ball, which was missed once again by the defender. Mol ran onto it and slotted past Um Channou.. 3-2. A last minute winner that broke EDC hearts.

Match 6 – EDC v Build Bright 

United 24/04/21

On paper this looks like an easy win against newly promoted and bottom of the table Build Bright United. Looking at their squad though they have some decentish players and like to play in a funny upside down Christmas Tree formation. It’s not worked well for them so far but I have an annoying feeling things may come right for them. I stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation due to their liking for putting 5 men in the middle of the park! Veasna is injured so Fasal returns after suspension to take his place and Saray keeps his place. Ratana comes back in for Leng Sophahon at left back.

 

EDC 3-1 Build Bright United

Saray 16                                     Vandeth 82         

K.Udom 57

Rotha 92

Never in doubt! We did not deserve to lose this one and controlled the game from start to finish. The team defended well and attacked with purpose. Saray ran down the right, his low cross found Sung Rot whose shot was blocked. K.Udom picked up the ball and played in Saray who scored with a clever first time finish at the near post. Then, Ratana crossed from the left, their defender missed the ball and there was K.Udom to poke the ball home at the far post – 2-0. In response, Vichet sent Vandeth through to slot past Um Channou for 2-1. A slick 5 man move through midfield brought our 3rd goal when Fasal found O.Udom, who released Keo Udom whose perfect through ball found Rotha who did the rest.

A good win here and onwards we go! We stay in second place in the C-League.

EDC have reached the dizzy heights of second place! Is this the spark that can mount a serious title challenge? Also, find out why I almost had to wear a pair of wellies for a cup match next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!

Click here for the next part, Getting Our Feet Wet