41. No Man's Land

After a mixed set of results against the 'big boys' in the C-League, we then contrived to do a pre-Klopp Liverpool by dropping points against the so-called weaker teams which has derailed our title challenge early for another year. At the top, Nagaworld and Phnom Penh Crown are battling it out, while we are stuck further down the pecking order in 6th place. While we have too much about us to be relegated, we don't have the consistency to put together a run of results which will threaten the top two, who are fourteen points ahead. A year of transition this has turned out to be, but if we can add consistency to our game, then we could be a force to reckon with in Cambodian football.

Match 12 – Vishaka v EDC

Vishaka are bottom of the table with just three points all season.. how the mighty have fallen especially since the North Koreans departed. They are though a team full of talented kids, who perhaps have not reached their potential and so could be dangerous opponents. We line up in a 4-4-2, with somewhat of a defensive crisis, with Daravon and Gboyoro both suspended and Ratana on International duty with Cambodia. Therefore Khemarin and Um Makara are thrown together in central defence.

Team: Kong Rafat, Ivanoldo, Teat Chandara, Khemarin, Makara, Vannak, Rattanak, Oudom, Taboula, Noron, Pidor

Match Action

We are quick out the blocks and Tuy Oudom is like a greyhound down the right hand side. He makes several runs down the right wing, but only amounts to a header over the bar. Rattanak sends Taboula clear but his shot is saved.

Then Oudom does one of his familiar surges down the right, before delivering a peach of a cross for Pidor to nod home his second in two games at the far post, Brilliant!

We have a few more chances including a Noron strike which is disallowed for offside. Then out of nowehere they cross the ball in and Taing Ravy beats Rafat to the ball to nod home an undeserved equaliser.

Pelap Taboula has been snatching at chances, but his approach play has been superb. He cleverly flicks the ball on before running onto the ball himself, before laying off to Pidor, whose cross found the head of Mat Noron. He could only head against the keeper’s outstretched arm, but pounces on the rebound to tap home for 2-1.

Unfortunately Oudom who has been the best player on the park picks up a knock, so Suhana replaces him.

Vishaka start brightly in the second half, but I feel we are in control. That was until Ben Mony sprinted through the midfield before releasing Lay Noron to equalise on the counter attack.

We finish stronger. Suhana crosses but Noron can only head into the keeper’s gloves, Suhana then has a gilt edged chance himself to win it but he scuffs his shot from inside the six yard box. Final Score Desmond 2-2, but we deserved to win this game. Had Oudom been able to stay on the pitch we would have won hands down.

Final Score: Vishaka 2-2 EDC  

 Ravy   29                                                  Pidor 10

 Noron  47                                           Noron 39

Match 13: Prek Pra v EDC – Hun Sen Cup 1^st Round 13/06/23

I am taking the cup seriously this year as it is most definitely our best chance of silverware this season and so I will send a strong team to Prek Pra, with revenge on my mind also after our stupid defeat in the league a few games ago.

I start with a 4-4-2. Chainuth replaces Kong Rafat in goal, In Sambath starts at right back and youngster Samnang Nhem makes his debut up front, partnering Mat Noron

Team: 4-4-2 Chainuth, In Sambath, Daravon, Gbayoro, Teat Chandara, Vannak, Rattanak, Suhana, Nhem, Noron, Pidor

Match Action

We start brightly and Rattanak has an early shot straight at the keeper from the edge of the box. We look up for this.. Rattanak sprays the ball out to Teat Chandara on the left. His cross deflected to Pidor who hit a fierce shot from the angle which was parried by the keeper straight into the path of Poacher Noron who taps home. 1-0.

We are like a dog with a bone today. Our opponents have not set foot in our half yet. Another attack sees right back In Sambath switch the play to Sos Suhana who has popped up on the left hand side. His drilled cross is sidefooted into the defender by the youngster, Nhem. The ball rickashays off Noron and trickles into the back of the net. He didn’t know much about that one, but they all count.

The attacks keep coming. A mix up in their defence allows Noron to have a free shot on goal, but the keeper just recovered in time. Sos Suhana had a fierce shot well saved and a flowing move through midfield that Brazil would have been proud of resulted in Noron fizzing a shot which was tipped over the bar. 2-0 is always a dodgy lead and as we wasted chance after chance I knew there would be a payback. It came from that familiar source of the ‘Miroslav Klose’ bug. Ball whacked down field sending striker through on goal, with defence no chance of catching him, Suhana Ouch did the rest… 2-1 and now they think they can get back into the game. Now the random free kicks start, surely not after the fantastic performance we have put in so far.. Thankfully our defence holds firm, despite them throwing three forwards on at the end and us finishing the match with five at the back. We march into the Quarter Finals of the Hun Sen Cup… The Electricity Company is starting to get cup fever once again!

Final Score: Prek Pra 1-2 EDC

Suhana Ouch  71                                          Noron 2,14       

 Match 14: EDC v Wat Phnom

Newly promoted Wat Phnom are famous only for turning us over in pre-season a year or so back. They have struggled a little in the ‘big time’ this season and sit in 9^th place, just above the relegation places. We are looking to get our league form back on track and at least finish once more in the top 5 to add some respectibility to the season. While I feel we are too good to go down, we also should be closer to the top positions in the league, but we are a team in transition, something which often brings with it, inconsistency. We go in with a 4-4-2/3 and I say that because Pidor plays in a more advanced left wing role, which almost makes a three up front. Ratana returns after International duty.

Team; Chainuth, Ivonaldo, Daravon, Gbayoro, Ratana, Kakada, Rattanak, Oudom, Pidor, Taboula, Noron

Match Action

A fast start from both teams. Kakada sprays the ball out to their right winger who crosses the ball in.. Daravon trips his man as they both go for the ball in the area. Penalty. Sinoun Touch dispaches it emphatically. Not the start I had planned.

We fight back, dominating possession but create little. Momentum was slowly building though and Gbayoro volleys the ball forward and Noron flicks the ball on to the onrushing Taboula inside the penalty area. He slides it home for only his second goal of the season. The Nigerian looks sharp and is unlucky to be caught offside as he buried the ball home soon after.

Into the second half and we are in control of the game. We just need to score, but the final ball keeps letting us down. There’s no end product. We force a lot of corners but they are all cleared. Oudom does get a decent cross in but Noron heads horrendously wide. Then on 86 minutes they win a free kick out of nowhere. A header from them is parried by Chainuth, but only into the path of Um Samnang who whacks it into the empty net… Joke.. flippin’ joke..

We fly forward looking for the equaliser. I even throw on Chanraksmy to try and roll back the years, but it was to no avail. We deserved at least a point today, but leave with none. We slip to 8^th with only 15 points. Nagaworld have 33, we are just playing for pride now, marooned in no man’s land..

Final Score: Wat Phnom 2-1 EDC

Sinoun 9 (pen)                     Taboula 35

Samnang 82

 

Mid-Transfer Window Comings & Goings

The Cambodian season runs from March to October, yet the 'mid season' transfer window kicks in round about my birthday on 13th May, which to me seems a little early, as it is not the halfway point of the season. Secondly the last thing I really want while celebrating the day I entered the world are Nagaworld trying to tempt one of my star players into their clutches... 

Ins

Sokundara Som – Free Transfer

I have signed Som from Build Bright United and he will be my new first choice keeper. While Kong Rafat won acclaim for an excellent season last year, his form has dropped off a bit of late and so I wanted to take him out of the spotlight. Som brings experience to the squad as well and a reliable pair of hands between the sticks.

Sok Panha- Free Transfer

I’ve signed this young, promising defender who will join us at the end of the season.

Sin Kakada free transfer from Wat Phnom

Our defensive midfield needs a bit of energy and someone who could both tackle and pass the ball well, so I snapped up this guy from Wat Phnom. He impressed me when we played them recently and will add both steel and creativity to the centre of the field.

Players Out

Leap Bo Leaves EDC

Leap Bo has joined Second Division outfit, Posenchy on a free transfer. Although not a disaster I am slightly disappointed as I thought he had some potential. Anyway we are fairly well stocked in defensive midfield.

Taing Hai Free Transfer to Posenchy

Young winger/striker, Taing Hai has joined Leap Bo at Posenchy. He did well in my U21s but never threatened to break into the first team.

In summary we have made three good signings and have escaped a serious exodus of players, so I was happy when the transfer window slammed shut until Christmas time. Now to fully concentrate on the football!

A season of mediocrity may be in the offing for EDC, but as we all know, football's a funny old game and they still have time to put a run of results together in order to get up towards the top of the table. Whatsmore they play all the top teams again soon and are in the Quarter Finals of the Hun Sen Cup, Find out what happens next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!

Read the next part - Green Shoots Here!