46. The Hun Sen Cup Final Special
Ok, I will leave you in suspense no longer...
The Hun Sen Cup, or Prime Minister's Cup, as it is also known as, is the premier domestic cup competition in Cambodia. For the second time, Electricitié Du Cambodgé have somehow made it to another final and a showdown with bitter rivals, Nagaworld at the Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium. Back in 2021, during the 'Keegan season,' we lost 1-0 to Nagaworld in the Hun Sen Cup Final with rather a whimper. An early goal from their right back, Chatandara meant we were always chasing the game against superior opposition. Sok Chanraksmey then missed a sitter in the final minute of the game with only the keeper to beat, recounting memories (at least for me) of Gordon Smith for Brighton against Man United in the 1983 FA Cup Final. Unfortunately Sok has never quite been the same player since and while still a valued member of the squad, he has fallen down the pecking order as new and younger strikers have taken precedence. It was also rumoured, although never proven, that my star striker may have been a victim of a monk's curse at Angkor Wat.... (see Parts 21 & 22 for this bit of the story)
In that season, as you may recall, we were also challenging for the title which also rather fell by the wayside. This year is different. We have no such distractions in the league, because we are destined to finish in 5th, a yawning twenty points behind champions, Phnom Penh Crown. I'd given up on winning the league ages ago, meaning that we could rest players in the run up to the final, so that I have a full squad to chose from, except for poor old Soun Bath who got injured on international duty for the Cambodian U19s. As good a prospect as he is, Bath would only have featured on the bench at best anyway.
The team pre-match meeting went really well, with all the squad 'turning green' and pumped up for the big game, as I played down the expectations on them.
The Road to The Olympic Stadium
It's amazing to think that our cup run started in rather unconvincing fashion against the obdurate students from Kampeuchea Mekong University. We'd battered their goal with about 50 shots but none of them went in. It took a couple of strikes from Tuy Oudom and the veteran, Chanraksmey to finally see them off in extra time.
In the next round we faced the Second Division outfit, Paillin. Goals from Taboula, Touch Van and Soun Bath saw us progress with a comfortable 3-1 win.
The first round proper meant a trip to Prek Pra, where two early goals from Mat Noron set us up for 2-1 win.
Next up, the quarter final against Boeung Ket, who had just whipped us 5-1 in the league. Our best performance in the Hun Sen Cup campaign saw us beat them 2-0, thanks once more to two first half strikes from Matty Noron.
So to the semi final and a long-awaited clash with Chllam Samuth. It's fair to say we were in trouble in this one and found ourselves a goal down at half time and nearly two down soon into the second half. Some tactical tweaks and shouts from the touchline enabled the players to rouse themselves in the latter part of the game. Once again Mat Noron was on hand to fire in an equaliser and then Sok Oeun Pidor to put us in the lead. Noron rounded off an unconvincing 3-1 win in the final minute when he poked the ball home to ensure EDC's second cup final in three seasons.
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Match 31- The Hun Sen Cup Final: EDC v Nagaworld
The day has finally arrived... We get dressed in our cup final suits and board the team coach for the short drive across town to the Olympic Stadium. While I knew who my first 11/12 would be I was not 100% sure as to what formation to put them in. Nagaworld usually play with 3 in midfield. In our first league game against them I foolishly played a 4-3-3 and we got caned 6-1. In the return I played a 4-1-2-3 with Rattanak and Samnang providing a creative attacking pincer movement to occupy their deep lying midfielders and stop them from controlling the game. This seemed to work as we won 1-0 and managed to keep them quiet. The problem for me was that when we had played 4-1-2-3 we had left the lone striker, usually Noron isolated up front. There was also a chance that the casino could play with three at the back and two wing-backs which would have meant that our best striker could easily have been foiled by three defenders.
I looked down the team bus at my players. They were pumped up and focussed on the job in hand. In a moment I felt an enormous sense of pride in the lads, what I had achieved here in four and a half seasons. I just needed to add some silverware to have something to show for my achievements. Around the middle of the coach I could see my midfielders, Rattanak, Samnang, Sin Kakada just behind. That's the three in midfield. The problem I had was up front. Playing with one up front with two wingers meant I had to leave out either Noron or Taboula. Noron was the top scorer in the competition and it was his goals that had got us here, while Taboula had come into some great form in the league just at the right time. Neither of them deserved to be left out. I had to find a way to include them both, but without playing 4-4-2, which could see us overrun in midfield, or an unfamiliar 3-5-2 system which my players would have been uncomfortable with. What to do?
We arrived at the ground and all got off the coach in the full glare of the BTV Cambodia cameras, broadcasting the match live across the country for Cambodian Match Of The Day. Everyone went inside the stadium for a pre-match meal, and then to the dressing rooms for a pre-match briefing.
Therefore at this juncture it is time to put you in the hands of our good friends of Cambodian Match of the Day, Linka Garry, Shearer Allen (without the Geordie accent) and Richards Micah.
(Linka) "Good evening Cambodia, good evening and welcome to the 16th Hun Sen Cup Final, between Nagaworld and Electricitié du Cambodge, live from The Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium. It's the cup final, which can only mean one thing!"
(cue VT of cup action to a slowish soft rock track)
"Noron! It's a goal to EDC.."
Sun Dara...he scores again.. Nagaworld march on in the Hun Sen Cup.."
"64 teams, 5 rounds of enthralling cup action and now it is down to just two teams, Shearer Allen your thoughts.."
(Allen) "Well, you have to make Nagaworld the favourites, they have better players and a good manager. EDC though are very dangerous opponents and should not be underestimated. They also have a good manager, an Englishman, Jonathan Rudd so he knows a bit about football Linka."
(Linka) "Well huh huh we'll have to hope for EDC's sake that it doesn't go to penalties, The English are not good at penalties!"
(Allen)"Haha indeed"
(Linka) "Richard, your thoughts"
"Well ya know hahah I think this will be a closely fought game ya know, EDC want to win some silverware you know, they got so close two years ago and ya know they will be out for revenge you know."
"So, lets have a look at some of the players who could star in this Hun Sen Cup Final."
"Sun Dara has been talked about as "the future of Cambodian football," Just how good is he?"
(Allen) "He's got power and an eye for goal and he will be a threat. See here, any ball in to feet, or on his head, Dara is all over it it. He isn't the quickest, but his positional play and aerial threat makes up for it. The EDC defence will have to be at their best to stop him."
(Linka)"Another is Math Fasal, who also played for EDC and made his name at The Electricity Stadium, before leaving under somewhat of a cloud at the end of the 2021 season."
(Allen) "Fasal is a cunning player who likes to cut inside on his right foot from the left flank and can provide good service for Sun Dara and Long Pheng as well running from midfield."
(Linka) "Long Pheng has a great record against EDC. He scored a hat trick in the league fixture earlier this season and his late runs into the box may be a cause for concern. He has a great eye for goal and can create as well. If he plays well, then Nagaworld will almost certainly win."
(Linka) "So what of this EDC side then, fifth in the league, not really threatening the title, yet find themselves here in a cup final, really with only the cup to play for, they are a good side, but perhaps one or two years away from really fulfilling their potential. Is that fair?"
(Allen) "Yes I think that's fair. A lot of their best players left the club at the end of last season, Veasna, Udom, Bairaing and Etim and you wondered whether they could sustain the progress they have made under Rudd's management with different players. After a few bad results early on, including a 6-1 defeat to today's opponents, Nagaworld they have steadily improved as the season has worn on."
(Linka) "Mat Noron is the top scorer in this competition and his goals have really carried EDC through to the final. What does he bring to this team, Richards?"
(Richards) "Well Matty Noron ya know, he's a huge favourite with EDC and its easy to see why. He is a complete striker, with an excellent goalscoring record. He can come short and link play and then also get on the end of crosses into the box. Strong, quick and also a good shot on him, he is a real threat."
(Allen) "They also have Maol Daravon and his performance will be key if EDC are to have any success here. He has experience, in fact he has made the most appearances in the C-League. He is strong, quick and has excellent positional play. Not the greatest in the air, but makes up for it in other ways. Daravon will be key if EDC are to win here."
(Linka) "Sok Oeun Pidor is an exciting talent who plays on the left or right and Min Rattanak is also a good young player in attacking midfield. This is a young team which has bags of talent, but will they have the knowhow to overcome a more experienced Nagaworld team?"
(LInka)"OK, we have some team news in and well this is the Nagaworld team.
Nagaworld Team: 4-2-3-1: Soksela, Sophana, Vichet, Panha, Darang, Touch Dara, Sokumpheak, Chamroeun, Long Pheng Sun Dara
Sun Dara
Fasal Pheng Chamroeurn
Touch Dara Sokumpheak
Sophana Vichet Panha Darang
Soksela
EDC Team
Pidor
Samnang Rattanak
Kakada
Chandara Gbayoro Daravon Ratana
Som
Well this is a surprise! How would you describe this, Shearer? A 4-1-2-1-2 formation. Taboula and Noron start for EDC, with Pidor as a kind of wandering minstrel from the left, with support from Samnang and Rattanak. This is quite a surprise as we expected Suhana to start on the right!
(Allen) It's a brave move from Rudd, he's really going for it with an attacking line up. It'll be interesting to see how they get on..
(Linka) Well not long until kick off now as the teams are due to come out for the Hun Sen Cup Final very soon, kick off just minutes away...
Meanwhile in the Dressing Room:
The teamsheets have been sent out. Suhana is naturally disappointed at not starting. Pidor, you have license to wander all over, don't just stick to the left wing. Rattanak, I need you to run out wide, balance the team up on the right hand side. Noron. work those channels, chase everything down and you Pelap, bully their defence and get in behind off the last defender. Ratana, Teat, I need you to stay back at all times, mark the wingers, especially. Fasal we know how he can play. Daravon, stay with Sun Dara, Anderson you cover everything as the last man, Sim Kakada mark Long Pheng out the game, get those tackles in, win the ball, keep him quiet, if he doesn't play, Nagaworld don't play.. Ok Lads, you've done brilliantly to get this far, go out there, express yourselves and bring home the trophy.. Good luck Lads!
"EDC! EDC! EDC!, the players chant, raring to go!
I pump my fists and shout "COME ON!"
Fans start to fill the Olympic Stadium, with chants of "Jonny Rudd's Electric Army," Flags are waved, flares are let off and paper is strewn on the pitch. The players assemble in the tunnel, ready to walk out into the now packed Olympic stadium. Nerves, tension laughter, excitement, adrenalin pumping through their bodies, my team are ready for battle. I can do no more but watch, shout instructions and hope.....
The players walk out the tunnel to fireworks and music. The Cambodian National anthem is played. The King and Prime Minister, Hun Sen, of whom the cup is named after, stand proudly in the V.I.P box above the side of the pitch on the halfway line. The Cambodian flag is raised, alongside those of Nagaworld and EDC. The players assemble in their half of the field, with Nagaworld in their 4-2-3-1 and us in our lop-sided 4-1-2-1-2/4-3-3/what the hell is going on here hopefully....
Time to hand over to our commentator, Motson John.
(John) "Well, the 16th Hun Sen Cup Final is about to start, with a fascinating contest in prospect. With me is Lawrenson Mark. Mark, It's the casino versus The Electricity Company.. I don't know which one takes most of your money at the moment Mark!"
(Mark) Afternoon Motson, A great occasion for all football fans in Cambodia, here at a packed out Olympic Stadium here in Phnom Penh. The sun is shining and perfect conditions for football, a great game in prospect here!"
(John) "So, in 11 meetings between these two sides in all competitions since 2020, Nagaworld have won six, EDC, three and with two draws. EDC are in the blue and will kick from left to right, Nagaworld are in the all red shirts."
"So, Electricitié du Cambodge will kick off. As Noron plays the ball back to Gbayoro, to the experienced Maol Daravon, into young Rattanak, one to look out for in midfield and well, EDC knocking the ball around confidently here Mark."
(Mark) "Yes it's important that all the players get an early touch of the ball to help settle the nerves."
"Yes indeed, well, they've kept the ball quite well from the kick off and are on the attack now with Chea Samnang who strides forward purposefully into the Nagaworld half. He finds Pelap Taboula, the Nigerian and Pidor on the overlap, this looks promising. He checks in and finds Chea Samnang on the edge of the area!
He let's fly!!
Awwwwwwww what a goal straight into the corner! Chea Samnang for EDC! What a start. A dream start for EDC, and this cup final has sparked into life after just 24 seconds!
What a start to this cup final John! Chea Samnang has hit a thunderbolt into the Nagworld net! Quite brilliant form the midfielder..! Retribution for his sending off in the first league fixture between these two,. Unbelievable!
"Shell shocked Nagaworld kick off, they haven't even touched the ball yet and find themselves a goal down Mark!"
(Mark)"Well, they are stunned, and we have a game on now. That goal came in just 24 seconds, a new cup final record."
(John) Here come EDC again.. Teat Chandara the left back.. who finds Tabooulllaaaa!!! Just wide. Well, it was a whisker away from being 2 there Lawrenson!
(Mark) "Well Nagaworld are all over the place. Pidor is wandering about and they just can't pick him up. It's leaving all sorts of space down the EDC left flank which they are exploiting."
(John) "Meanwhile down the other end, Nagaworld muster an attack which results in a free kick. It'll be Touch Dara to take it.. Just wide..
"EDC are on the attack again. Min Rattanak, skips past one and slides in Matty Noron! Ohh saved by the keeper. That could well have been two Mark"
(Mark) They are like a pack of wolves in midfield, Kakada, Samnang, so sharp in the tackle and then they are breaking forward in numbers. Kakada breaking up the play and feeding Rattanak who runs at the defence almost Gascoigne-like committing defenders and creating space for Noron and Taboula ahead of him. Nagaworld are struggling to get a foothold in the game."
(John) "They have a free kick though, Long Pheng who has had a quiet opening quarter of an hour brought down by Teat Chandara. It'll be a Heng Chamroeurn to take it.
It's there!! Out of nothing, Touch Dara nods in an equaliser with a superb header!
(Mark) "It's a brilliantly worked free-kick, but poor defending you have to say from EDC, they've switched off and Dara has the simple task of guiding the ball past Som."
"Noron to Kakada, Daravon.. He strides forward and plays a long ball looking for Taboula, but headed away by Panha.. only into the path of Pidor on the left wing. Pidor now on the left for EDC, he's full of running trying to knock the ball round Dairaing, but the defender dispossess him and clears. Only as far as Daravon though, Daravon into the Nagaworld half
He chips a delightful ball into the path of PIDOR!!!
SOK OUEN PIDOR! He volleys it past Soksela and restores EDC's lead! What a reply from EDC quite brilliant! From the restart! Maol Daravon their central defender turning creator with a brilliant chipped ball which deceived everybody, except for Pidor who timed his run to perfection! Amazing! Three goals inside sixteen minutes, It's raining goals here at The Olympic Stadium!
(Mark) "Amazing scenes here as Nagaworld kick off again. They don't know what's hit them! It's great play from Daravon. They just let him waltz into their half with all the time in the world to pick out Pidor who runs into the box unmarked and unchallenged. They are just not picking up his runs and it's causing all kinds of problems for Nagaworld."
(John) "Huh huh! Well here he is again, Pidor... He finds Taboula this time.. whose shot is saved by the keeper. It could have been three!" They are all over Nagaworld here!
(Mark) "This just sums it up for me, Pidor and Taboula have been given too much time and space and together with Noron are wreaking havoc in the Nagaworld defence, especially down the left hand side, that's where they are getting a lot of joy. They look like scoring every time they cross the halfway line."
(John) "Here come Nagaworld though on the attack. Touch Dara, skips past Ratana down the left wing. He crosses for Long Pheng! Tipped over the bar by Som. Nagaworld are not out of this.
"Corner to EDC, The ball is cleared to Daravon on the corner of the penalty area. He flights in a lovely cross to PIDOR. Straight into the keeper's hands. Could have done better. Peep Peep Peep! That's the end of a pulsating first half, in which EDC have been quite brilliant and lead at the break by two goals to one!
"EDC have been much the better team Motson and deserve to be ahead at half-time. Can they see it through to the end? Back to the studio."
(Linka) Thanks Motson & Lawrenson, well much to discuss here, but how good have EDC been!"
(Micah) They've been superb Linka, their attacking play has been sensational and Nagaworld have been unable to cope with the pace and power of Pidor, Taboula, Rattanak, Samnang and Noron. They've been simply amazing and their secret creative force, Maol Daravon as well. It's been great to watch them."
(Allen) I'm not sure how it's only 2-1 it could quite easily have been more." The passing, the running with and without the ball has been a joy to watch. Here from the kick off just look how well they keep the ball. Nagaworld can't get near them. It's super football.
"Yes one could say its electrifying football..."
Cue chuckles around the studio....
Meanwhile in the EDC dressing room..
I am in two minds here of what to tell the lads in the half time team talk. If I tell them they've been brilliant then will they get complacent in the second half, but then I can hardly say they have been awful when they really haven't and that would make them angry and lose motivation. I need to choose my words carefully.
The lads are as pleased as punch, hi-fiving eachother like they have won the game. I need to get them to remain focussed and remind them the job is not yet done. I begin..
"Ok lads, listen.. We've been great so far and you've done everything I've asked you to. But... The job is only half done. Nagaworld will be much better in the second half, so we have to keep this level of performance up, OK."
Pidor, keep making them runs forward you are confusing the life out of them. Daravon.. brilliant, keep marking Sun Dara. Sim, keep on Long Pheng you doing well, keep it going..
Samanang, great goal, well done son, keep running up and down in midfield.
Come on give me 45 more lads and the trophy is yours! COME ON!!!
Back in the commentary box
(Motson John) Huh hun well were back here for the second half and a few stats for you, EDC have had 5 shots on goal to Nagaworld's one, which was their goal. Nagaworld on the other hand have enjoyed 53% possession to EDC's 47%
(Lawrenson Mark) EDC have used the ball better though and used it far more effectively."
(Motson John) So, the two teams are out for the second half and Nagaworld to kick off. Surely they cannot be as bad as they were in the first half..
"So, it'll be a free kick to Nagaworld at the edge of the box. Danger for EDC. It'll be Sun Dara.. clawed away by Som and out for a corner.
(Mark) "That was going in Motty, Nagaworld are looking up for it in this second half."
(John) "Darang, up from right back, skips past Chandara and crosses in. Cleared by Gbayoro. Another ball in cleared only as far as Touch Dara who works it left to Rous Sophana who crosses in for Chamroeurn!! Tipped over by Som. A chance for Nagaworld."
(Mark) "That's a lot better from Nagaworld. Stretching the EDC defence by working it from side to side and it's a good save from the keeper."
(John) "It's the 69th minute. Nagaworld come forward again with Darang, who is getting further forward in this second half. He finds Sun Dara who crosses onto the head of Heng Chameroun, he must score, but denied by Som who claws it over the bar. What a save, at point blank range!
(Mark) "That should be 2-2 Motson. Unbelievable save. Any top goalkeeper in the world would have been proud of that one.."
(John) "Sokundara Som has kept EDC's lead. Nagaworld have been a different team this second half, can EDC hang on?"
(Mark) "They have been far better, dominating possession and getting the ball in wide areas. EDC have not turned up in this half, but they still lead by two goals to one..
(John) "Corner to Nagaworld.. Cleared by EDC and Chea Samnang is leading the breakaway, over the halfway line. He finds Mat Noron.. and the sub, Oudom is overlapping down the right into the penalty area.. Aww his cross is cut out, just in the nick of time as Noron was ready to pounce."
"Just eight minutes to go. EDC trying to retain the ball. It's important they keep the ball here. In Sambath..oh it's intercepted by Touch Dara, who finds his namesake, Sun Dara. He heads it left to Heng Chameroun. His cross is cut out, shot charged down Touch Dara! Blocked by Daravon cleared by EDC, anywhere will do now for EDC!
"The ball is back with Soksela the goalkeeper, who rolls it to Panha. Time running out now for Nagaworld. He plays a long ball which is flicked on by Sun Dara to Heng Chamroeurn whose through on goal, into the area.. WIDE!
(Mark) "What a chance. What a chance. It's not their day, it's EDC's day.. He should have scored.. Unbelievable miss!"
(John)"Just three minutes to go including stoppage time stands between EDC and a famous victory., Soksela launches the ball forward.. Flicked on and Chamroeurn again...Blazes it over the bar.." Cries from the Nagaworld fans echo around the Olympic Stadium. They feel it is not their day."
(Mark)"It's still in orbit Motson. Terrible finishing. Another chance goes a-begging. EDC riding their luck here."
(John) Som kicks the ball out, but it goes straight to the Nagaworld player. EDC can't get a hold of the ball. They can't stop the wave after wave of Nagaworld attacks. Panha launches it forward once more for Nagaworld. Long Pheng flicks it on to Sun Dara.. Straight at Som.. Was that another Gordon Smith moment. He should have scored again.. Unbelievable., Som stood tall and strong in front of young Dara. What a performance this has been from the EDC goalkeeper in this second half.
"EDC have the ball, some welcome possession to try and take the sting out of things. Teat Chandara to the ever impressive Chea Samnang, to Tuy Oudom and Noron who chips the ball forward and gives the ball away..
Sun Dara can break, left to Touch Dara
He flights a lovely ball to Long Pheng, whose broken the offside trap....
Long Pheng for Nagawolrd, last chance surely!
Ooh it's there. Long Pheng for Nagaworld in the last minute to break EDC hearts.....
"Mat Noron is devastated it was he who gave the ball away when he should have kept the ball better. His ambitious ball was cut out and then the break was on and EDC were in trouble."
Final Whistle. Extra Time.
I run onto the pitch, my players are knackered, they have given it their all, but it'a not lost yet.
"We've won it once, let's go out and win it again." (I really need Mat Noron to turn into Geoff Hurst right now)
Back to the commentary box:
(John) "So, EDC to start extra time here at The Olympic Stadium. They need to start playing again after a poor second half, apart from their keeper."
"EDC attack, they seem rejuvenated in extra time. The ball is worked to the substitute, Tuy Oudom! Shot straight at the keeper, but it's a start and the first serious attack they have had in quite a while."
The ball is played long be Nagaworld, flicked on again to Sun Dara! Saved once again by Som, who is having the game of his life here!"
(Mark) Both sides look tired out there and it looks like they are settling for penalties..
(John) Corner to EDC, cleared by Nagaworld..
(John) "That's it, it will be a penalty competition...
Penalties
(John) First up for EDC will be Mat Noron...... Fires it low and hard into the left corner. Fine penalty.
Touch Dara for Nagaworld.. left footed.. SAVED by SOM it was straight at him, he barely had to move, a Panenka gone wrong, how embarrassing for the lad!"
Chea Samnang, who lit up this final with a goal after just 24 seconds.. Samnang.. Scores..only just though. Down the middle but hit with power..
Sun Dara for Nagaworld..... Fired into the right corner, Som no chance
Maol Daravon.. an experienced head in these circumstances.. Can he score? Yes he can! Straight into the corner, the keeper didn't move!
Kouch Sokumspheak for Nagaworld.. he must score!.. He does with a low shot into the bottom corner..
Sok Ouen Pidor for EDC... who put EDC 2-1 ahead with a super cushioned volley.. Straight into the corner, no problem for the youngster.
Chea Vichet for Nagaworld... Places it into the corner.
If EDC score this penalty, they will win the Hun Sen Cup, this enthralling final has come down to the last kick. And what a story this could be.. Teat Chandara, the 33 year old left back, who was released by Nagaworld back in 2016 and then was without a club for seven years before EDC picked him up on a free transfer. What a fairytale this could be.. It'll be Chandara left footed...HE FINDS THE CORNER OF THE NET.. EDC ARE THE HUN SEN CUP CHAMPIONS 2023!
Meanwhile in the dugout..
As soon as the ball nestled into the back of the net, bedlam! It is all just a blur, but the jubilation, relief, joy, ecstasy. The EDC fans invade the pitch and a sea of dark blue EDC shirts, scarves (not that these are needed much in Cambodia) and other merchandise. Our goalkeeper, Som is chaired round the pitch by the supporters and Teat Chandara, who scored the winning penalty is also raised high onto the shoulders of the supporters. What a great moment for him, without a club for seven years, having to work different jobs to make ends meet and at 33 years old must have thought his footballing dreams were over., until my scout turned up and recommended him to me at a time when we needed more depth in the left back position...
Nen Borey is excited and we embrace in pure joy. Our first trophy together. It felt a million miles away from that conversation in the café at the beginning of the season when I was considering my future at EDC after the exodus of our best players during the transfer window. He persuaded me to stay and I am so glad he changed my mind.
I punch the air in triumph, as the BTV Cambodia cameras are turned on me. Yes we had ridden our luck and on another day Nagaworld could have beaten us by 4 or 5 goals to 2, but for the brilliance of our keeper. Then, after the heartbreak of a last minute equaliser we rallied to shade extra time, before holding our nerve in the penalty shoot-out. As an Englishman it is rare to celebrate victory in a penalty competition, we usually dread them, but when you win one it is a fantastic feeling!
Eventually as the ecstasy dies down, the call goes out for the teams to walk onto the pop up stage in the centre circle to receive the trophy from its namesake, Prime Minister Hun Sen himself. Now, while I am slightly suspicious of any leader who has been in power since I'd just come out of nappies, none of this mattered right now. He seemed genuinely delighted to be there as we made our way. Captain, Maol Daravon lead the team and received the cup from the Cambodian Prime Minister and lifts the first ever trophy in EDC's short history!
The fireworks went off around us and the glitter poured down on us. After a good half an hour it was time for us to go back to the dressing room, say a few words and get changed, It was going to be quite a night, where even some of the strictest Buddhists among the group may ask the Almighty for forgiveness just for one glorious night. It it going to be quite a celebration!
One very happy dressing room!! Quite brilliant!
It's FM Official! EDC have won the Hun Sen Cup 2023!
What a turnaround.. EDC manage to win their first trophy under Rudd's leadership, next stop.. the C-League title? Find out in the next chapter of The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!
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