43. Putting All Our Eggs In One Basket
The league has gone for this season, that is without doubt, but we have managed to put together a decent cup run and have made it to the Quarter Finals of the Hun Sen Trophy. The only problem is we have been drawn against Boeung Ket, who are one of the better teams in the Kingdom of Cambodia. We are a developing team, which is one or two seasons short, providing we can keep the squad together, from making a real splash and challenge for the C-League title once more. For now though it is about trying to find that winning formula and finishing as high in the league as we possibly can. As for the cup, there is no doubt we can win it, if we can overcome the Quarter Final obstacle that lies in wait. Firstly though we must tackle the bread and butter of the league. Our first opponents are guess who- Boeung Ket, a dress rehearsal for the Quarter Final showdown on the horizon.
Match 19: Boeung Ket v EDC 17/07/23
It’s our
opponent’s turn to seek revenge on us, but I am confident we can do well and
come back with three points from our trip to Boeung Ket. They have been
labelled in the match build up as being “troubled,” but they lie in 3rd.
We could claim 5th spot if we win. Unfortunately suspensions have
forced us into changes in the back four, so Daravon returns for Gbayoro, while
Makara partners him in defence. Pidor is preferrred to Tuy Oudom on the right
flank and Vannak replaces the suspended Kakada in the DMC role.
Team: Som, Ratana, Daravon, Makara,
Teat Chandara, Vannak, Samnanag, Rattanak, Pidor, Noron, Suhana
Match
Action
It’s a
highly competitive opening ten in which we have the larger share of possession,
but apart from a couple of blocked shots from distance, create very little.
Sotheaven, their left winger looks like he can play and when he gets in behind
on the left wing, his cross is met by Omakefe, which forced a fine stop from
Som. The same player then picks up the ball on the halfway line and skins
Ratana before marching into the penalty area unchallenged and slotting past Som
for the opening goal. Out of completely nowhere they get a second when Chhoeun
fired in a free kick. This is not looking good..
Then from
another free kick out of nowhere Meas Mony Udom does his best David Beckham
impressions and fires home another free kick. There’s just no way we can win
with the FM gods in such a filthy mood…
Chan Polroth
added a fourth with a stooping header. Chhoeun whacked home a fifth, we’d given
up by now.. Taboula poked home a late consolation from Vannak’s flighted ball
into the box, but far too little and far too late. I hate this stupid game!
There was a water bottle with a massive dent in it left in the middle of the
visitor’s dressing room at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium as we trooped home to
our little corner of the capital.
Final Score Boeung Ket 5-1 EDC
Sotheaven 30 Taboula 89
Chhchoen 35,84
Udom 52
Polroth 72
Match 20: EDC v National Police
22/07/23
The
Cambodian constabulary come to town with us still licking our wounds from the Boeung
Ket game. The Old Bill however find themselves in a spot of bother down the
wrong end of the table in 12th place, the top relegation spot. We
are in 8th, too good to go down, but nowhere near strong enough to
challenge for the title this year.
I revert to
an attacking 4-4-2 with the suspended players returning to strengthen the team.
Young Nhem is given another opportunity up front with Mat Noron.
Team: Som, Ratana, Daravon, Gbayoro,
Teat Chandara, Kakada, Rattanak, Oudom, Nhem, Noron, Pidor
Match Action
We sweep
forward from the kick off and Noron heads over from a Pidor cross. Then
disaster.. Rattanak one of our better players goes down clutching his leg. He
is quickly substituted for Chea Samnang. We dominate the game, but once again
our bark is worse than our bite and we create little, save for a couple of
headers well over the bar and a speculative Pidor effort which was comfortably
saved by the keeper. 0-0 at half time, 10-0 on shots to EDC.
In the
second half their impressive striker Chitra provides their only piece of
quality in the game and forces a good save from Som, while a flowing move from
us resulted in Samnang shooting tamely at the keeper. Substitute Taboula
flashes a header just wide from an Oudom cross, then the Nigerian forces an
excellent save from the keeper. The score remains 0-0. Oudom and Samnang
combine but once again the keeper makes a fine save from the midfielder. He’s
not given up yet though, as he exchanges passes with Kakada before striding
forward to the edge of the area and unleashing a blinding shot which blasts
into the top corner. Pick that one out Searge! 1-0 to the EDC,.,
The cops charged forward with Chitra looking ever more dangerous and their right winger, Soksela finding too much space on the right. We were hanging on by the end, but a deserved win it was. We’ve now done the double over everybody’s least favourite team, who may well be demoted in rank to the Second Division next season.
Final Score EDC 1-0 National Police
Samnang 83
League Table
Phnom Penh
Crown 42
Nagaworld 39
Boeung Ket
33
Khemera 28
EDC 27
Angkor Tiger
25
Prek Pra 25
Chmao Khmao
24
Wat Phnom 19
Mondul Kiri
15
Solitio Angkor 14
Chllam
Samuth 14
National
Police 13
Vishaka 7
Match 21: EDC v Phnom Penh Crown
We take on
the league leaders, Phnom Penh Crown with basically nothing to lose, as our
team lies in 6th with 27 points. I am going to play a cautious
4-3-2-1. They have good players, including Debeiro their experienced Nigerian
who has been firing in the goals for them. Meanwhile we have a some decent ones
who are in reasonable form and our job is to try and derail their title
ambitions on what could be considered a tricky trip to the EDC stadium. Banana
skins at the ready!
Team: 4-3-2-1: Som, Ratana, Daravon,
Gbayoro, Teat Chandara, Vannak, Kakada, Rattanak, Oudom, Noron, Pidor
Match Action
We have started
much the better side, but create little in the opening fifteen. Then Rattanak
shows his quality by sliding a lovely through ball to the onrushing Noron, but
he disappointingly shoots wide.
Then
Miroslav Klose leaves his cruel mark on the game. Their goalkeeper, Aim
Sovrannath hits a perfect 80 yard goal kick straight into the path of Debeiro,
who makes no mistake. All our good work undone by a stupid bug..
We finish
the half once again the better team, but fail to create a significant chance,
while looking pretty solid defensively. 0-1 at half time.
Into the
second half and we have good possession on the right hand side as Ratana finds
Rattanak. He burrows his way through to the edge of the area where he is
tackled, but Chea Samnang pokes the ball through to the onrushing Noron who
whacks the ball against the post., How unlucky!
Chea Samnang
picks the ball up in midfield but he is tackled. The ball falls to Min
Rattanak who surges forward before playing in sub Pelap Taboula with one of his
trademark through balls. The Nigerian smashes the ball into the corner of the
net to make it an emphatic 1-1!
The Crown attack. They aren’t giving this up easily. Their full backs are attacking, but this leaves more gaps for us to exploit on the counter attack. Tuy Oudom gallops down the right before collapsing in a heap on the floor… He’s done his hammy and is yelping in pain.. I’ve used all my substitutes, so I put Rattanak on the right wing, even though he is ‘inneffectual’ there. The Crown smell blood and the shots fly in on our goal, but our defence holds firm. They throw their bodies in the way of the ball and are like terriers in the tackle. It’s late in the game, but we have the ball. Rattanak and Taboula combine and yet another through ball sends the young Nigerian galloping into the box. He coolly takes the ball round the keeper and slots it into the empty net with the defender lying in his wake. Brilliance from the youngster! The EDC fans go into raptures around the ground. The league leaders are not finished yet though. The ball is played up to Debeiro, but Khemarin takes him out, Surely a red card for the veteran defender.. “The referee keeps his cards in his pocket on this occasion” Crown are protesting but the ref waves play on. Chea Samnang picks up the ball and it is his turn to slip in Taboula who slides the ball confidently under the keeper for a brilliant second half hat-trick. Magnificent! What a performance! We have put a spanner in the works of Phnom Penh Crown’s title bid and ourselves climb to 5th! On our day we can beat anyone in this league!
Final Score: EDC 3-1 Phnom Penh Crown
Taboula 63, 92, 94 Debeiro 30
Match 22: EDC v Boeung Ket – Hun Sen
Cup Quarter Final 01/08/23
There is all
to play for as Cup fever threatens to disrupt Cambodia’s electricity supply
once again! Boeung Ket are in town, but
it is us who are seeking revenge after being walloped by them 5-1. I stick with
the same team except for Suhana coming in for the injured Oudom on the wing.
Confidence is high after our demolition of Phnom Penh Crown, Ket are a better
side in my opinion despite their reported financial problems. The semi final
will see us take on either Chllam Samuth or Chhma Kao, a very winnable route to
the final..
Team: Som, Ratana, Daravon, Gbayoro,
Teat Chandara, Vannak, Kakada, Rattanak, Pidor, Noron, Suhana
Match Action
We are
absolutely dominating proceedings. Noron and Pidor link up smartly and the young winger has his shot saved
low down. Ket have not been in our half. Our dominance gets its rewards when
left back, Teat Chandara picks up the ball in space and delivers a peach of
cross for Mat Noron to connect and divert the ball home. The type of cross
players like Noron thrive on!
Suhana danced
down the right and Noron flashes a header into the keeper’s arms. A breakaway
almost leads to Omakafe equalising but Som blocks the Nigerian’s shot with his
feet when through on goal.
The goal
number 2. Pidor and Sin Kakada combine. The midfielder flights a lovely ball
into the box for the onrushing Noron to place the ball past the keeper on the
half volley. Lovely goal! 2-0 half time lead. Electrifying stuff from the EDC!!
Into the
second half, surely Boeung Ket can’t be as bad as in the first half. We have
been magnificent so far. Mat Noron fizzes a shot wide from a Ratana cross.
Ket finally
wake up. The dangerous Sotavithen gets down the left and his cross is met by
the head of Omakafe saved by Som. Then from a corner the goalkeeper tips the
ball over the bar.
We respond
well. Noron has a dipping shot tipped over the bar after some brilliant
breakaway play from sub Mat Dara and Pidor. We re-assert our dominance and see
it through to the end brilliantly Onto the semis we go and we can almost taste
it!
Final Score: EDC 2-0 Boeung Ket
Noron 12,37
Match 23: Angkor Tiger v EDC
The curse of
the C-League Champions has struck Angkor Tiger who lie in 6th place,
one below us in 5th. They still have a good side though, with the familiar face
of Sung Rot in their team, along with former Nagaworld striker, Kawabata who
can cause us problems too. I’m trying to maintain consistency in selection
where possible and so go in with the same team which so comprehensively
despatched Boeung Ket from the Hun Sen Cup.
Team: 4-2-3-1: Som, Ratana, Daravon,
Gbayoro, Teat Chandara, Vannak, Kakada, Rattanak, Pidor, Noron, Suhana
Match Action
Angkor Tiger
mean business here and they dominate the opening twenty, but have little to
show for it. We seem a bit buried in our own half, with Noron isolated up
front. We spring to life and a lovely switch of play from Pidor lets in Sos
Suhana, whose stinging shot thunders against the crossbar. They have a goal
disallowed when Okereke pokes the ball home, but is just offside. Nil all at the
break but they have been the far better side.
We start
brightly. Rattanak plays the ball through to Pidor, but his low shot is tipped
round the post. They have a breakaway which results in Som tipping the ball
wide after the most ridiculous throw in from Suhana which hit the head of the
defender. How this is still 0-0 I’m not sure.
Then from a
random free kick the ball is flicked on at the near post and Polroth nips in
to divert the ball past Som for to be honest a deserved goal.
We rouse
ourselves and play a more direct game. This almost pays off as the ball is
played to the onrushing Taboula who finishes with aplomb for an undeserved
equaliser.. which is ruled out for offside. We didn’t deserve it anyway and we
are now only playing for pride in the league.
Final Score: Angkor Tiger 1-0 EDC
Polroth 86
While just playing for pride in the league, EDC march on to the semis of The Hun Sen Cup. Is this the beginning of something special for our friends electric, or will it result in another epic failure? Find out next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!
To Read the next part, 44. A One Match Season Click here!
To read the story from the very beginning click here!!
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