35. Can We Fix It?

 

I woke up on the first day of a Veasna-less EDC. It was raining outside and this about summed up my mood.

I got up and headed straight for the training ground, wondering what my squad would look like when I returned. Who would be the next to leave> Daravon? Ratana? Taboula?  I deliberated this as I drove through the driving rain that hit Phnom Penh, causing the trees to swing violently as the wind blew. The stormy weather summed up the uncertainty brings to a semi-professional club like EDC. I did not feel I could carry on in the job without the players who had left, Veasna, Udom, Etim and whoever else may decide to jump ship in the forthcoming weeks.

I met with Nen Borey in a coffee shop not far from EDC's stadium to discuss the matter.

"Nen, What are we going to do? If any more leave I don't think that I can carry on."

"Nonsense! course you can Jonathan, where's this come from?"

"If we cannot hold on to our best players, then what is the point. The only way we could compete is if we had those players." I stated dejectedly.

"Rubbish! Look Cambodia may not be a hot bed of wonderkids and talent on every street corner, in fact football has only become popular here very recently, but we can sign players in the window ourselves, which are just as good if not better."

"Look Nen, I hear what you are saying, but I feel like I have taken EDC as far as I can take them. Unless we go professional we cannot win the C-League title. We need professional players tied down under contract, with the ability to generate income through transfer fees. We cannot do that at the moment when players can just walk out to join another club whenever it takes their fancy."

Nen knew of my argument with the chairman, just weeks earlier and knew there was more chance of CR7 playing for Grimsby Town than us going professional..

"I've been thinking about trying my hand in Thailand, you know taking on a lower division club from the regional leagues and taking them up through the divisions, really improving a club and shaping it in my own image."

"Jonathan.. have you seen some of the clubs in those leagues.? The pitches are just grass fields, constantly overgrown, the facilities are awful.. think about the worst Sunday League teams back in England and times it by 100. Your much better than that. You'll never get anywhere trying to do that. Dreadful players, no supporters, pitches you can barely see for jungle and swamps... At least here at EDC you have a proper ground, with astroturf and some seating for spectators.."

 "I dunno it was just an idea. I am a journeyman manager, perhaps I need a new challenge.."

"We can still do this. Look at the talent we have just in our reserves, Soun Sambath, Mat Dara, Tuy Oudom, Touch Vannak to name but a few. Let's give these guys a chance, let's build a new young team, added to the experienced players who have stayed, such as Daravon, Chanraksmey and co, We can also offer some decent appearance fees for out of contract players with less players at the club."

"We can do this together Jonathan, we can build a new EDC," exclaimed Borey as he finished his mug of coffee and slammed it on the table. "Now what are we waiting for?

So it looks like I am staying at EDC.. for now....

Season 4 Board Expectations

Despite the mass exodus of players, the board still expect us to finish in the top half of the table and reach the Quarter Final of The Hun Sen Cup. The more players that leave, the less I believe this is possible, but we do have a talented bunch of youngsters at EDC which will now get more of an opportunity. Thanks to Nen Borey's powers of persuasion I am looking forward to nurturing and developing these players and sticking two fingers up to Khemera, Solitio Angkor and of course Nagaworld..

Staff Recruitment

New Goalkeeping Coach

It’s nice to report on someone actually joining the club for a change. Prum Tola is our new goalkeeping coach. He has a Working with Youngsters stat of 14 which is what got him the job, as we have a lot of young goalkeepers at the club.

A New Reserves Manager – Chhin Makara

After my previous reserves manager walked out at the end of his contract I have hired this guy, who apparently is known for developing young players. The way this transfer window is going he will need to make them learn fast!

Player Recruitment

Nen Borey, my recruitment team and myself had a long meeting to discuss how we can replace those who have left and this is what we have come up with. We did a lot of business too as the comings and goings at EDC continued right up until Transfer Deadline Day.

Anderson Gbayoro (DC) free transfer from Svay Rieng

I tried to sign this Ivorian defender in my first season, but the guy would not even sit down to listen to what contract we could offer him. Now he is ‘excited’ to join EDC. Shows what a couple of top 5 finishes and a cup final can do!

Min Rattanak (MC) free transfer from CMAC United

This is a quality signing who will add some creativity in midfield. A passing and pace of 13 means he has a good passing range and can get around the pitch, something we have lacked a bit in our centre midfield.

In Sambath (DRLC) Free Transfer

This is a bit of a gamble. He plays all across the back four, which is what we need, but his stats aren’t that great, but he came highly recommended by my scouts, so this signing could go either way.

Um Makara (D/MC) – Free Transfer from Solitio Angkor

A  young utility player with bags of potential and further strengthens our backline and defensive midfield.

Ivanoldo (DR) – on loan from Phnom Penh Crown

Although he sounds Brazilian, this right back hails from African island of Sao Tome & Principe. I’ve brought him in on loan to add some experience and depth to the troublesome right back position.

Sary Theara (AMC) Free Transfer

A development player who has flair, creativity and a good passing range, something we lack in midfield, save for Rattanak.

Chea Samnang – Free Transfer

This 28 year old midfielder offers us more creativity in midfield and will be an understudy to Rattanak in attacking midfield. A good signing and adds a bit of experience to the squad.

Teat Chandara Sokha (DL)– Free Transfer

This 33 year old gives us depth and experience at left back.

Hem Sokha (D/WBR) – Free Transfer from Phuchung Neak

Bought purely as back-up this right back has some potential to be a first team player. 

Small Boost in Reputation

Amazingly despite all the departures, EDC have risen to the 9^th biggest club in Cambodia, with Boeung Ket and Nagaworld at the top. It will be interesting to see where we are this time next year!

The 35 Registered Players

Registration has come early to the C-League this year. Here’s my lot to challenge for the C-League title this year, much changed from last, but with a few familiar names still here..

Goalkeepers

Kong Rafat

Chin Chainuth

Kouch Rithy

Sam Sambo

Defenders

Maol Daravon (DC)

Ouk Ratana (DRLC)

In Sambath (DRLC)

Khek Khemarin (DC)

Anderson Gbayoro (DC)

Ivanaldo (DR)

Run Sokha (DC)

Chea Sambath (DC)

Teat Chandara Sokha (DL)

Hem Sokha (DR/WBR)

Um Makara (DC/DMC)

Sok Makara (DC)

 

Midfielders

Leap Bo (DMC)

Va Vannak (DMC)

Touch Vannak (MR)

Chea Samnang (MC)

Min Rattanak (MC)

Tuy Oudom (MR/AMR)

Sary Theara (MC/AMC)

Sos Suhana (ML/R, AML/R)

Mat Dara (MRLC)

Molly Unmoll (ML/AMLC)

Mao Mol (ML/AMLC)

 

Forwards

Taing Hai (AML/ST)

Morgan Laurent (AMC/ST)

Ung Samnang (AMC/ST)

Pelap Taboula (ST)

Mat Noron (ST)

Sok Chanraksmey (ST)

Sary Chainuth (ST)

Soun Sambath (ST)

 

Friendly 1 – EDC 5-3 EDC Reserves

An entertaining kickabout with our reserves ended up in a 5-3 win to us. Mat Noron scored a hat-trick, while Mat Dara and Sok Chanraksmey weighed in with a goal each. On ‘theirs’ stand our performances came from one of my young strikers Soun Sambath, who scored a hat-trick of his own and is showing good potential to be fast tracked to the first team squad.

After Noron and Taboula contrived to miss every one on one situation, as we carved our Second Team open time and again, Taboula chased a lost cause in the right channel, before turning, crossing and finding the head of Mat Noron who powered it home. The reserves equalised. Young winger Um Vannak released Sambath who slotted past Kong Rafat for 1-1. It was fairly evenly matched after half time. Um Makara caught out fellow new signing, Theara and released Noron to slide home for 2-1. Then Sambath rounded the keeper to tap in an equaliser 2-2. Straight from a corner Dara poked home for 3-2 and then Sambath equalised once again from the penalty spot. Noron tore down the right before picking out the head of Chanraksmey to guide it in the corner, before Noron himself rounded off the scoring with a cool finish after being sent clear by the impressive midfielder Chea Samnang to complete a perfect hat-trick. 

Friendly 2 – EDC 0-3 Tay Ninh (VIE)

Our first proper run out against the now regular friendly opponents, Tay Ninh of Viet Nam. We line up in an experimental 3-5-2 formation, devised to nulify any threat thrown at us from our opponents. Then their striker after 8 minutes Truong Trong Sang received the ball, surrounded by our three defenders. He turns, he shoots he scores a screamer..the best laid plans. Then we let a corner trickle through to the far post and the same player pokes the ball home from 6 yards.. Oh dear! Hao Van Hao compounded our misery by nodding in a third late on. Rome wasn’t built in a day…

Friendly 3- CMAC 2 - 1 EDC 19/02/23

Oh dear! On paper we were turned over by a bunch of part-time mine clearers (who do a very dangerous job so maximum respect), but in reality we should have won this by a country mile. They scored after yet more poor defending from a corner kick, while Touch Vannak scored a brilliant breakaway goal to equalise not long after. Just after half time they won a dodgy penalty which was converted, After that we huffed and puffed but could not blow the coalhouse down. Noron and Tuy Oudom went close. At least this was only a friendly, but I think it’s going to take time to re-build this team after the Christmas exodus. The one positive was the performance of young Vannak, who could hopefully be a good long term replacement for Veasna on the right wing. 

Friendly 4 – Kampong Chhnang 0-1  EDC

Ok, so this wasn’t barnstorming, but a win is a win and it should have been more. The most notable thing was my decision to line up in a 4-3-3 with Noron, Chanraksmey and young Samnang forming a three pronged attack, with Chea Samang and Rottanak creating from midfield, Um Makara sitting and Ratana and Ivanaldo providing the width from full back. We controlled the match and the only goal came when youngster, Sambath turned inside on the right channel and provided a low cross which was turned in by Chanraksmey. A platform in which to build upon.

Friendly 5 – Svay Rieng 2 - 4 EDC

We started brightly but then they scored a counter attacking goal through Prak Mony. Ratana levelled from the penalty spot after Sos Suhana was felled in the box. Laboravy fired in a free kick, 2-1 to them.

Ouk Ratana intercepted the ball from the goal kick and found Mat Dara who clipped a lovely ball into the path of Chanraksmey who finished with a lovely slide rule finish into the corner.

Then, Hem Sokha laid It inside to Khek Khemarin who flighted the ball to Chanraksmey who ran onto it like a greyhound, belyng his 33 years and found the net with a delightful composed finished.

Ouk Ratana headed home a late fourth from a Mat Dara corner to put gloss on a good win in the end.

We were better when we switched to 4-4-2 and Mat Dara was brilliant on the left, with Ouk Ratana also impressive at the heart of the defence and of course Chanraksmey showed the youngsters how its done. Well done boys!

Friendly 6 – EDC 0-2 Asia Euro United

This was a bit of a joke result, typical FM, but on the plus side, better it happen in a friendly than a competitive match.

We reverted to a 4-4-2 again and started the game well, with Dara dangerous on the left and an impressive few first touches from a triallist called Pom Vannak. All seemed well until a random free kick was swung in and Yaty nutted the ball home off the underside of the crossbar. Bummer..

Then we attacked again, Taboula had header tipped over. Then from another random free kick, Sambath rose at the far post. 2-0.. how???

We spent the rest of the game camped in their half, getting the ball wide at will but often with nobody on the end of the stream of crosses that were flying in. When we did have a shot it was saved or blocked. Just one of those days I’m afraid, but best it comes now than later in the season when it matters.

Hun Sen Cup 1^st Qualifying Round Draw

We have drawn the students from Mekong Kampuchea University, which given our mixed set of results in pre-season could be a banana skin we didn’t need. Let’s just hope they had a big night out the night before and are playing with sore heads..

 Friendly 7 Prey Veng 0-1 EDC

We actually deserved to win by more, but once again while we completely dominated the game, we failed to break down our stubborn neighbours, Prey Veng. It took until a stoppage time free kick from Mat Dara, who seems to be one of the better players in this current bunch, straight into the top corner to separate the two sides. Otherwise our build up play was really good, but once again no end product. This is worrying, the EDC of old with Veasna, Udom and co would have had this lot for breakfast… I enter this season with real trepidation.. On the positive side, the new 4-3-3 formation which I employed in the second half seemed to work quite well and could be worth persevering with.

Friendly 8 EDC 1-1 TDC Binh Duong (VIE)

We lined up in our new formation of 4-3-3 and up to the final minute of the game were leading 1-0 and heading for an unlikely win against a talented top tier Vietnamese side, who dominated for long periods. We looked useful on the counter attack though and from on such move, Taboula escaped down the left channel before crossing low for Mat Noron to fire home into the roof of the net. We grew in confidence as the game went on and looked good for a hard earnt 1-0 win, until a moment of stupidity from Taboula who played a needless backpass, which let in their winger who crossed for snappily named Nguyen Tran Viet Cuong to drill home a very late equaliser. I can take heart from this performance though. 

So EDC begin their new campaign after some indifferent pre-season results. Can Rudd bed in his new signings in time for a tough start to the C-League campaign, or will they be steamrollered and struggle against relegation? Find out next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Read my Boxing Day message here!