44. A One Match Season
The Road To Mondul
Kiri
In the
Cambodian C-League, most of the football teams, including ourselves are based
in the capital, Phnom Penh. One of the exceptions is the newly promoted side,
Mondul Kiri who are based 6 hours away from the capital to the east on the
Vietnamese border. Cambodia is a deceptively sizable country and six hours
equivalent would be like travelling from somewhere like Middlesbrough to London
in the UK. This was a proper away day where we would have to travel together as
a team on a coach and also take in the beautiful countryside of which this
country has to offer, or at least that was what I was doing . It is the largest and most sparsely populated provinces
in Cambodia and was badly affected by the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime in the
1970s.
Nowadays it
is known for its outstanding natural beauty, rainforest and waterfalls. It is
also unfortunately rife with illegal deforestation and loggers who seek to make
profit from the area’s natural resources. MondulKiri is also home to the
indigenous Bunong tribes, which can be seen walking the roads around the
province and in the countryside.
Mondul Kiri
is home to several nature reserves, including its very own elephant sanctuary.
As we would be making the long journey out there a couple of days before the
match I arranged a trip here as a piece of Community outreach. Some of my
players had seldom been out of Phnom Penh, apart from footballing reasons, I
felt it was important for them to explore some of the remoter parts of their
country. It was great for them to learn the good work of the sanctuary in
protecting elephants from illegal hunters. For me it was a huge eyeopener and
yet another experience in this fascinating country.
On the way to
the region’s capital, Sen Monorom the devastation caused by illegal logging of
the area’s precious natural rainforest and jungle was very sad to see as it was
a beautiful journey to a lovely part of Cambodia we did not normally get to see.
So to the football.
Match 24: Mondul Kiri v EDC 12/08/23
Cambodia’s
answer to San Marino have managed to keep their heads above water this season
and lie one point above the relegation places in 10th. We are in 6th
and out of the Championship race, but three points here will help us to finish
as high up the table as we can. We are also pretty safe and thirteen points above the
drop zone. I’m starting to get a little experimental in my selection to give
some of the promising youngsters a chance. Therefore I give young Makara Um his
debut at left back, while the impressive Nhem starts up front alongside a
resurgent Taboula, with Noron rested to the bench. Ratana and Kakada are
suspended, so in come In Samabath at right back and Um Makara in the DMC role.
Team: 4-4-2 Som, Sambath, Daravon,
Gbayoro, Um, Makara, Rattanak, Touch Van, Taboula, Nhem, Pidor
Match Action
We attack
with menace and Pidor runs at the heart of the defence. He lays it off to
Taboula whose stinging shot is parried by the keeper at full stretch. They lob
the ball forward, Gbayoro comfortably heads clear to Rattanak. The Cambodian
Gascoigne runs at the heart of the Mondul Kiri defence before lashing the ball
into the corner of the net. Great start. 1-0. Then from nowhere they launch an
attack and work the ball to Long Piseth on the right. He is in acres of spce..
where’s our flipping left back? He has all the time in the world to pick out
Sok Oudom’s head and he plants the ball past Som into the corner. One each. We re-assert
our dominance on the game. Daravon picks up the loose ball in the right back
position His lofted ball is controlled and crossed by Nhem to Pidor, whose
angled shot fizzes into the bottom corner. 2-1.
We attack
some more. Young Nhem nearly gets a third with a lovely flick header, but his
big toe was offside. 2-1 at the break.
Young Samnag
Nhem looks a real player. An outrageous piece of skill on the left flank, leads
to a peach of a cross of which sub Noron has his header well saved.
We are in
control of the game, but 2-1 is a dodgy lead and we are only one Miroslav Klose
bug away from an equaliser. Mat Dara swings in another corner and the ball
trickles into the corner of the net off a Mondul Kiri player for an own goal
and a deserved 3-1 lead.
Rattanak
attempts to make it four with a 30 yard piledriver which is acrobatically
saved. A comfortable win against a pretty average side, who did at least show a
little more attacking intent this time around.
Final Score: Mondul Kiri 1-3 EDC
Oudom
24 Rattanak 7
Pidor 38
Piseth o.g 86
Match 25: EDC v
Chmao Khmao
The pundits are touting us as comfortable favourites for this
one and I tend to agree, despite our opponents sitting just slightly below us
in 7th. A win here could propel us up to the dizzy heights of
fourth, but with the way the table is, with Phnom Penh Crown and Nagaworld so
far ahead, the highest we can realistically hope for is third. I go in with a
strong side, including all the suspended players from the Mondul Kiri game
returning, although I’m giving young Makara Um another chance at left back.
Team: 4-4-2 Som,
Ratana, Daravon, Gbayoro, Makara Um, Kakada, Rattanak, Suhana, Taboula, Noron,
Pidor
Match Action
We control the game from the off. Rattanak slips in Noron for
an early chance, but his shot is parried for a corner by the keeper. Beware of
the random free kick from nowhere, which forces a fine save from Som. We need a
goal here to get us going. We get one. Suhana cuts in from the left, before
laying it back for Sin Kakada. His flighted ball is flicked on by Taboula for
the onrushing Matty Noron who half volleys first time into the corner. They
respond well. Their striker Soksana has pace to burn and he wins the race
against Daravon, before hitting the side netting with his final shot. A warning
for EDC. Then on the stroke of half time a Daravon free kick from our own half
is played to Kakada and then to the Cambodian Gascoigne, who plays a beautiful
first time ball, almost without looking for the rejuvenated Pelap Taboula who
smashes the ball home for number 2. There’s even time for a third before half
time. Noron scampers down the right channel. His little ball inside finds Pidor,
whose shot is blocked by the keeper, but stright into the path of Mr Taboula
who smacks home the rebound for 3-0.
Early in the second half and we are sloppy. Gbayoro does a
great piece of defending, almost Sol Campbell like. He clears but Noron
stupidly heads the ball back to where it came from, allowing Soksana and Ly
Saroth to combine for the former to slide the ball past Som on his near post.
3-1.
Then a mix up in our defence let in the dangerous Soksana. He
squares it to Raymand Etim who calmly laid it right to Saroth to slide into the
corner. Wake up EDC!
Chmao Khmao have their tails up now, they smell blood. They
are first to every ball and then break with pace. I revert to a 4-2-3-1. In
Sambath replaces the inexpeienced Makara Um at left back, while Pom Vannak
replaces Suhana to build barriers in central midfield, with Taboula playing on
the right wing. I also tell my team to ‘focus.’ This seems to have an effect as
we are starting to retain the ball better and cutting off their rapid breaks.
Pidor has a shot which is tipped over by the keeper. From the resulting corner,
the unlikely source of Min Rattanak heads home at the near post to restore a
two goal advantage,
Chmao don’t give up and pile on the pressure. They create some chances, we clear one off the line. This is getting ugly. I go defensive, but they keep coming, wave after wave, chance after chance. Somehow we regain control and string some passes together The ever impressive Rattanak has the ball in the centre circle. He passes to Pom Vannak who flights the ball with the outside of his foot to Pelap Taboula. The Nigerian floats it to Pidor on the edge of the area who chests the ball down and half volleys the ball crisply home for the fifth goal and to put the icing on the cake. It’s harsh on the visitors who have had us running scared in the second half, but quality has shone through in the end. Not since the Keegan season have we looked so creative and full of goals. Taboula was the best player on the park, scoring two and creating two. He could be a key player for us now and in the future.
Final Score: EDC 5-2
Chmao Khmao
Noron 18 Soksana 47
Taboula 45,46
Saroth 53
Rattanak 76
Pidor 90
Match 26 – EDC v
Khmera
Our bogey team, Khemera visit the Electricity Stadium
complete with their dodgy diamond formation in midfield. A win today means we
can leapfrog them and move up to 4th place. Realistically the
highest we can finish is third, but it would be great to come in the top three
if we can. Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves though.. Khemera have our
rather useless old right back, Sam Channroeurn in their ranks and line up in a
weird 4-1-2-1-2 formation. To combat this I go for my 4-1-3-2 with Rattanak and
Samnang providing dual creativity in midfield and the in-form Taboula is up
front on his own.
Team: Som, Ratana, Khemarin, Gbayoro, Teat Chandara, Kakada, Samnang, Rattanak, Pidor, Taboula, Suhana
Match Action
We start brightly. Pidor cuts in from the left and feeds
Suhana who flashes a shot wide. Khemera lifts the ball forward, but is cut out
by Khemarin, who finds Pidor. He flicks it to Chea Samnang who flights a
delightful ball into the path of the onrushing Taboula, who takes one touch on
the edge of the area and drills it into the corner of the net. Great goal,
great start!
Khemera are a good team though and they have a certain Mr
Veasna pulling the strings. One such lung bursting run from the former EDC
favourite results on him baring down on our goal and but for a fine save from
Som would have equalised.
We look dangerous on the break and when the lively Pidor sent
Taboula through one on one it looked like we could extend our lead, but the
striker’s finish was saved. One nil at the break.
Into the second half, their striker Rany heads over a gilt
edge opportunity from a Buheing cross. Should have been 1-1.
A missed header from Khemarin almost lets in Chan Dara but
Som saves at his near post. The same player has his shot saved from the
‘unbeatable’ Som in goal. Ravy and Dara combine once more. The former is inside
the area, but is brilliantly tackled by Sim Kakada.. no wait.. The referee
point to the spot.. Eh? He clearly won the ball.. that tackle was Bobby
Moore-esque… But no the ref would have nothing of it.. Penalty. Chea Dara does
the rest.
We cannot keep the ball for toffee and they are winning it
back to easily. The ball is worked to Suon Veasna.. Close him down! Vannak
Close him down.. Too late! Veasna shows me what we have been missing as he
fires it effortlessly into the top corner. This man is class. 2-1. I throw on
Noron to partner Taboula, but he can do nothing. Our terrible run against
Khemera continues..
Final Score: EDC 1-2
Khemera
Taboula 12
Dara 81 (pen)
Veasna 86
Rudd signs new 2-year deal
I have put pen to paper on a new two year deal. Our uplift in
form, coupled with the promising youngsters in the U21s has made me feel optimistic about the future of the club and I want to try
and see the job through.
International Call
Ups & Round Up
It seems that my young bucks at EDC have caught the attention of the Cambodian National set up for the latest round of International fixtures. Ouk Ratana remains our sole representative in the main squad, but the Under 23s see call-ups for Rattanak, Pidor, Um Makara, In Sambath and Kong Rafat. Meanwhile in the Under 21s, Nhem Soun Bath and young keeper Sob Vatanak gain recognition.
Min Rattanak turned out to be the star of the show in a 2-1 win for the Cambodian U23s against Macau U23s! Ratana did not fair so well as Cambodia succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to Palestine. In the U21s, Samnang Nhem got on the scoresheet in a 2-1 defeat to UAE U21s.
Strange Scheduling
in The Hun Sen Cup
The chaotic nature of scheduling for the Hun Sen Cup has really come to the fore with this anomaly. We are due to play our semi final on 11th September 2023, but we do not know our opponents yet, because Chllam Samuth and Chmao Khmao have yet to play their quarter final. According to their schedule, they are not due to play this fixture until 15th September., What gives??
In the other semi final, which did take place, Nagaworld beat Angkor Tiger 2-1, meaning it would be a repeat of the 2021 Keegan season final if we can win our semi against Samuth or Khmao.
Newsflash: We will play Chllam Samuth after they beat Chmao Khmao on penalties, in just four days time. Cheers guys!
Match 27: Chllam Samuth v EDC – Hun Sen Cup Semi Final
19/09/23
So this is it! The semi final. We seem to have waited ages for this, but now it’s time to put our minds on reaching our second Hun Sen Cup Final, of which we will face Nagaworld. Gaining revenge on them must be put on hold, as we face dangerous, but beatable opposition. In the league game we only just sneaked past them 3-2 and once Keo Udom went off injured they did not look like the same team. As they lie in 10th this makes us favourites, but we are away which may level things up a bit. We know the threat that Keo Udom posesses, but if we can stop him, then in my view we win the game.
We are going to match their 4-2-3-1 in the belief that man for man we have the better players who can win their personal battles. Rattanak and Samnang form a creative duo, feeding the in-form Taboula. Anderson Gbayoro is missing through suspension, so Khemarin once more steps in.
Team: 4-1-2-3 Som,
Ratana, Daravon, Khemarin, Chandara, Kakada, Samnang, Rattanak, Suhana,
Taboula, Pidor
Match Action
We start brightly Samnang has a shot which blazes over the bar. Then my right back, Ratana keels over, he’s done his knee ligament, this could be a nasty one.. Luckily the versatile In Sambath is on the bench and he replaces the Cambodian International after just five minutes. Then disaster. Panha breaks down the right and curls unstoppable shot past Som. Oh dear!
We respond well. Neat interplay results in a Taboula shot well saved. Udom at the other end nearly makes it two but his header is saved. A nice move down the left results in a Taboula header well saved. Come on boys!! Half ends 1-0 to them.
I try to rally the troops at half time, but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. I revert to 4-4-2 and throw Noron up front with Taboula, while Tuy Oudom is introduced to add some fizz down the right. They create two gilt edge chances, one when the ball was presented to the opposition by the normally reliable Som. We are lucky to be only 1-0 down here. I Demand More and this spurs them into life.
Daravon wins an important header against his former team-mate Keo Udom. This finds Min Rattanak who for the first time in the game goes on one of his trademark driving runs. He lays it out to Tuy Oudom on the right who strides forward and fires in a low cross to NORON!!!!! The striker drills it first time into the corner of the net. It’s one each.. Come on we’ve got this!!
Samuth have not given up. They are always looking for Mr
Udom running in behind, but so far Daravon and Khemarin have been wise to it.
Then a random throw in from Tuy Oudom finds Noron who chests it back to the
young winger. Once again a fizzing low cross causes havoc in the Samuth defence
as it beats two defenders. Sok Ouen Pidor doesn’t miss out though, as he takes
a chance and slams it into the top
corner. 2-1 get in! Keo Udom does get on the end of one through ball, but
thankfully fired well wide. Taboula at the other end has a goal disallowed for
offside which would have finished the game off. We did really need that third
goal. Samuth are not giving up and are throwing more bodies forward. Daravon is
knackered but I’ve used all my three subs, so Khemarin takes over marking Udom.
Samuth attack and attack again, but our defence holds firm. In Sambath,
Khemarin, Daravon and Teat Chandara are equal to everything. It is then our
substitute full back who delivers the killer blow when he flights an almost
Bobby Moore-esque ball through for the on-rushing Matty Noron who pokes it past
the advancing keeper. The final whistle goes!!! 3-1 what a win! I have had to use
every ounce of my 20 years of Football Manager knowhow to engineer this
victory. Cries of “Jonny Rudd’s Electric Army!” rang out as the jubilant fans
as they left the ground. NAGAWORLD WE ARE COMING FOR YOU!!!
Final Score: Chllam Samuth 1-3 EDC
Panha 11 Noron 60,90
Pidor 73
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