54. Trying to Bridge The Gap
Four straight defeats have derailed our title bid and I am livid! We lost to lowly Prek Pra for god's sake, Nagaworld and Khemera I can understand more and National Defence have been this season's surprise packages, but still we should have beaten them. We have done nothing different from all the games in our long unbeaten run, yet somehow their goalkeepers turned into Peter Shilton, Gianluigi Buffon and Iker Cassilas rolled into one.. Maybe throw a bit of Rene Higuita in there as well, that's how stupid it got.. The FM Gods have been in a bad mood with me for some reason of late and like a husband who suddenly finds himself in the doghouse, i'm not really sure why?
Our performances have been good, but we have not taken our chances and come across some goalkeepers in suspiciously great form.. The good news is the next team we face are Chhlam Samuth who we have beaten pretty much every time we have played them. Time to get back to winning ways and fast, before the Tiger escapes for good.
Match 22 – Chhlam Samuth v EDC
31/08/24
Chhlam
Samuth are in 9th a few points above the relegation zone. We are now
down in 4th, tied on 37 points with 3 other clubs, Nagaworld, Boeung
Ket and Phnom Penh Crown, while Angkor Tiger have now opened up an eleven point
lead. We are playing for second place now. I will go in with our usual 4-3-3. Gbayoro
and Daravon are reunited in central defence, while Joly is preferred to In
Sambath at left back, with Ratana switching to right back! Let’s go!
Team: Som, Ratana, Daravon, Gbayoro, Joly, Makara, Samnang, Pidor, Nhem, Noron, Taboula
Match Action
We dominate
the opening ten, but Taboula keeps getting caught offside and the goalie has
yet to make a save. As ever they look dangerous from set plays, but we clear
and look good on the break. On 20 minutes Gbayoro plays a direct ball to Matty
Noron who chests the ball down, turns and plays in Samnang Nhem all in one
swift movement. The youngster doesn’t miss, sliding confidently home to break
the deadlock. 1-0. Then our old friend, Keo Udom who is playing as a right
winger these days shows Joly a clean pair of heels and is brought down in the
box. Penalty! Sos Sambo finds the corner one each. Then the game becomes a
slugfest with not much happening. One breakaway leads to Nhem sprinting down
the right flank before crossing to volley against a defender and then Pidor
following in forcing a fine save from the keeper. Samuth respond and force a
fine save from Som after good work from their left winger Matnornin. A free
header from the resulting corner also lands gratefully in the arms of Som. On
the stroke of half time a great interception from Joly results in him floating
the ball up to Noron who once more intelligently flicks the ball on for the
galloping Taboula. The Nigerian has the ball, two on one with Nhem screaming
for the ball to his right. Pelap has other ideas though and blasts the ball
goalwards from the edge of the area, straight into the top corner. Pick that
one out! Great goal. Nhem would never have spoken to his friend again had that
missed. 2-1. Into the second half and we create our own Miroslav Klose style
goal ourselves. Som plays the perfect 80 yard goal kick straight to the
impressive Taboula who spreads the ball right to Nhem who sprints into the box
and fires low past Chainuth in goal. 3-1. We assert control of the game and add
a beautifully crafted fourth goal. Samnang finds Ratana up from right back and
he curls in a lovely near post cross for Mat Noron to head home into the top
corner. Ratana turned provider again as another near post cross was this time
flicked on by the impressive Noron for Taboula to volley confidently home for
our fifth. Back to winning ways again. Sary Chainuth, who has been one of their
better players, fires home a consolation after slack marking form us. 5-2.
There was still time for one more though. Nhem on the break who has frightened
the life out of Samuth all afternoon crosses to the far post where Taboula
controls, sprints past his defender and blasts the ball home for a brilliant
hat trick. 6-2 the final score. Our front three of Taboula, Noron and Nhem were
simply outstanding. Great to get back to winning ways in style!
Final Score: Chllam Samuth 2-6 EDC
Sambo 25
(pen) Nhem 21,48
Chainuth 73 Taboula
. 45,72,88
Noron 67
Match 23 EDC v Phnom Penh Crown
14/09/24
There is
only six games left and we are eleven points behind Angkor Tiger with eighteen
to play for. Therefore there is no margin for error. I make one change and that
is Abdi for Noron. Abdi has trained very well and is also ‘on his promise’ for
more starts. This has given me a huge headache because Noron played so well against Chllam Samuth and I can’t drop Taboula or Nhem.. The Champions are in 5th
on goal difference and are one of four teams including us on 40 points in the
chasing pack. Sin Kakada also returns to DMC to replace Makara who is
suspended.
Som, Ratana, Daravon, Gbayoro, Joly, Kakada,
Samnang, Pidor, Nhem, Abdi, Taboula
Match Action
We can’t get
the ball off Crown in the opening exchanges. Then we are lifted by Pelap
Taboula picking up the ball and running and running with it to force a corner. Daravon
heads just over. Young Nhem falls awkwardly and has to be taken off the field
to be replaced by Noron. We win a free kick, which Pidor lofts straight into
the keeper’s arms. He hoofs the ball out for Khek Tola to run onto in acres of
space. He makes no mistake 1-0 against the run of play. Miroslav rears his ugly
head once more.
We should
have equalised moments later. Brilliant interplay between Abdi, Taboula and
Pidor ends up with Noron one on one with the keeper, but he miraculously puts
it wide. What a chance! Noron then has another effort tipped wide after good
closing down by Abdi to dispossess the defender. Then from the corner, the ball
is cleared, only as far as Noron, He lays the ball right to Sim Kakada who
crosses low for Taboula to steer home his 15th goal of the season.
We look the most likely to score but don’t carve out a clear chance. Abdi keeps getting caught offside and what’s this.? Kakada has suddenly turned into Bruce Lee and scythed down his opponent. A straight red card for the midfielder. Inevitably Crown dominate and we are clinging on a little. I’ll take the point but it is just now a battle for second place with just five games left.
Final Score: EDC 1-1 Phnom Penh Crown
Taboula 44 Tola 34
Match 23 EDC v Build Bright United
It’s near
the end of another season and it’s going to take a miracle to win the title
now. Angkor Tiger are going to have to slip up big style and we have to win
every single game, just to take it down to a last match showdown. We therefore
must beat Build Bright United who are struggling down in 12th place.
A few changes, Nhem is still injured so in comes Pheara, Makara fills in for
the suspended Daravon, In Sambath comes in at right back and Pom Vannak starts
in defensive midfield.
Team: Som, In Sambath, Makara,
Gbayoro, Ratana, Vannak, Samnang, Pidor, Pheara, Noron, Taboula
Match Action
Build Bright
have the first attack which nearly results in a goal. Som beats away an angled
shot from Keo Sokpheng after a well worked free kick. We look sloppy they look up
for it. Then, Vannak is allowed to sprint almost unchallenged across the pitch
leading him to the bye line where he is finally tackled. From the resulting
corner Moun Nara arrives from nowhere to powerfully head home. 1-0 and fully
deserved to be honest. I demand more and we assert some dominance. We win a
random free kick. Pidor drifts the ball in and Taboula heads into the corner at
the far post. One each. We exchange random free kicks but they come to nothing.
Then a long clearance finds Pidor who flicks the ball on and causes panic in
the Build Bright defence. Their midfielder, Chan Udom tries to play the ball
back to the last man, Yaty who miscontrols the ball. Taboula is onto it like a
greyhound and sprints clear with the ball with only the keeper to beat... He
makes no mistake, confidently lashing the ball home for his second goal. The
Nigerian then turned provider when his deep cross was headed into the corner by
Chhim Pheara. 3-1. In the second half we look like scoring with every attack.
Taboula has a hat trick goal ruled out for offside, while a fierce shot from
Pheara was clawed away by the keeper. A long ball over the top though saw
Pheara scamper after the ball and score the fourth goal with a fizzing shot
under the keeper. Magnificent! 4-1 I give a debut to young attacking midfielder
Ung Samnang as he replaces Pidor. A Noron free kick results in a penalty for
pushing in the box. Taboula slotted home for a richly deserved hat trick. Sun
Vandeth scrambles home a late consolation from a corner. 5-2. Somehow they get another goal back from
another corner. We hang on for a 5-3 win, but I am not happy with conceding two
late goals...
EDC 5-3 Build Bright United
Taboula
18,27, 73 (pen) Nara 11
Pheara
40,59 Vandeth 84
Soksana 87
A few days after the win against Build Bright United I recieved a knock at the door. It was Ahmed Abdi, the self-styled Somalian Pele. Unfortunately of late, he has not really played like the Brazilian legend and had been abject through our four game losing streak. This had, despite my promises led to me dropping him to the bench again and starting with the more reliable Mat Noron. This had insensed him and was soon in my office demanding to know why.
"Boss.. I am the best striker at the club, but you still play Nhem."
"Ahmed.. how many goals have you scored this season?"
"Err 6"
"How many goals has Nhem scored?"
"Err dunno,"
"14"
"Yes but I could get as many if not more than him, if I was on the pitch!"
"But Ahmed, your performances have been too inconsistent. If we are to catch Angkor Tiger and win the title, I need consistency from all my players and you are just not providing that at the moment. I'm sorry, but you must stay on the bench and come on as an impact sub."
"I want to be transfer listed."
"Ahmed, come on don't be silly."
"I want to leave the club."
"Ahmed your being stupid, you are still very much part of my plans. I think you are a good player, but there are just three better at the moment. Taboula is banging in goals for fun, Noron is providing not only goals but excellent link up play with the other two and Nhem is frightening the life out of defenders in the right hand channel."
"Nah I want to leave. Find me another club." and he stormed out.
So that was that, the end of the Somalian Pele...
At training the next day, Nen Borey came to see me.
"Boss, we need to hold a team meeting."
"Why?"
"The players are unhappy boss."
"What about training, that's nothing new, there's always one or two of them whingeing about training and "voicing concerns over the quality of the sessions."
"No boss, its not training, its Ahmed, they don't like how you have treated him."
"Oh for god's sake. I've been more than fair to him and explained why he isn't starting every game."
"Yes I know, but he sees it differently and has started sounding off to the other players."
"I know he does, but whats that got to do with the other players?
"They think he should play more too."
"What? Instead of Nhem?"
I instructed Nen Borey to gather the players together for a meeting.
"Now lads, I know there's been some s*** going off about Ahmed, but I stand by my decision to keep him on the bench. Pelap, Mat, Samnang, you guys have been brilliant for us this season and are one of the biggest reasons we are near the top of the table. I don't want to interfere with that. Ahmed you are a good player too, but you are going completely the wrong way about cementing a place in the team. One player is not bigger than the team Ok? You are all valued members of EDC and have all been superb this season. Now don't let this spoil things as we try and catch Angkor. Ahmed. I'll see you after."
The players trudged away and was not really sure whether I had got through to them or not. I sat down with Ahmed.
"Ahmed I've sent some messages out to other clubs and I've received an offer from Mogadishu City to play for them."
"Your sending me back to Somalia?"
"Well, yes."
"Were there any Cambodian clubs interested?"
"Well, Boeung Ket had scouted you, but no official bid was made from them, while Mogadishu did, so I accepted it, so you will leave at the end of the season."
"Bbut"
"Ahmed, that's what you wanted, a transfer and I have got you one, at the biggest club in Somalia. Perhaps it will be good for you to go back home for a while. i am sure if you do well, other clubs may become interested. Maybe one day you will get to play with Mo Salah again.."
The Somalian Pele trudged out the room, never to be seen in an EDC shirt again. Naturally we paid for his flight back to his homeland, not before he had seen out his days in my reserve team. So, there ends the tale of the Somalian Pele, who went as quickly as he came....
Board Pleased I Have Achieved
Objective
A bit of an
odd piece of news emerged that the board are delighted that we have achieved
the objective of being “the best of the rest,” one year ahead of schedule. In
my book though we currently lie in third on goal difference with Nagaworld and
could, if we end the season badly, finish as low as 6th. Anyway
pleased board are happy, but think it is a little premature.
International Call Ups
Samnang
Nhem, Ajoub Joly and Chhim Pheara have been called up to the U19s squad for the
Asian U19s Championships.
Match 24: Chmao Khmao v EDC
Lowly Chmao
Khmao should hopefully prove not to be too much of an obstacle as we seek to
finish as high as we possibly can in the table. We are currently 3rd
and with Angkor Tiger so far ahead it will become mathematically impossible for
us to catch them. All we can do is keep winning. I go in with the trusted
4-3-3. Ratana is suspended so in comes Sambath at left back. Makara is preferred
to Sin Kakada in DMC.
Team: Som, Pisa, Daravon, Gbayoro, Sambath, Makara, Samnang,
PIdor, Pheara, Noron, Taboula
Match Action
It’s
surprisingly even in the opening exchanges, but we probably look the most
likely but without creating much. That changes though when Taboula latches onto
a ball in the left channel. His cross is met by the head of Pheara which is
saved by the keeper, but only into the path of Noron who buries the rebound.
Chmao are fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table and are not going
to give this up very easily. Chan Piseth burst down the right and delivered the
perfect low cross for Mao Piseth to sweep home. 1-1.The hosts are now the
better team and dominate proceedings. Our defence just about holds firm and manages
to break away in clinical fashion. Pisa clears the ball up to Matt Noron. He
intelligently turns and plays a perfectly weighted through ball for Chhim
Pheara to latch onto. The youngster makes no mistake, dribbling the ball into
the area, before slotting the ball cooly under the keeper into the bottom
corner. Perfection! We take control and look a class above our opponents,
knocking the ball around at will to create an opening. Pisa, Samnang, to Pidor,
up to Matty Noron, who turns it round the corner for Pheara!!! He lashes the
ball into the top corner and the back of the net nearly breaks. 3-1!
We are
looking irresistible now. Pheara this time turns provider and plays in Noron,
whose fierce shot is brilliantly saved, only for Pelap Taboula to follow up the
loose ball and tap home an easy fourth goal.
Our
opponents have still not given up though.. In the opening moments of the second
half they hit the post and have a goal disallowed. No matter. We go up the
other end and score again when In Sambath crosses and Mat Noron rises highest
to power home a 5th. They then go up the other end and score again
though when Piseth is unmarked on the left and he squares it for the equally
lonely Touch Dara who lashes petulantly home for 5-2.
Chmao have a
never say die attitude though and they manage to scramble home a third goal. We
have become a sloppy complacent mess and I tell them so. We end up having to
timewaste and go to a defensive mentality and even then, Som was called into
action twice to deny the hosts a sensational comeback. Another three points
though just about..
Final Score: Chmao Khmao 3-5 EDC
M Piseth 18 Noron 14, 49
Touch Dara
58 Pheara
30,37
C. Piseth
78
Taboula 42
Table with 3
games left
1st Angkor Tiger 54
2nd Nagaworld 50
3rd EDC 47
4th Phnom Penh Crown 45
5th Boeung Ket 43
6th National Defence 43
7th National Police 29
8th Khemera 26
9th Chhlam Samuth 25
10th Prek Pra 23
11th Build Bright United 17
-----------------------------------------
12th Svay Rieng 16
13th Chmao Khmao 12
14th Wat Phnom 11
Graca re-joins Mindelese
Aderito
Graca’s short stay in Cambodia is at an end as he boarded the plane back to his
homeland, The Cape Verde Islands. I wish him well, he was a good kid, a
promising footballer, but unfortunately was cursed with a huge bout of
homesickness. A player’s happiness though is paramount and so we allowed the
thousand pound man to go back home. All the best son!
Boeung Ket do us a favour
Boeung Ket
beat Angkor Tiger 3-1 meaning they are just four points clear of Nagaworld and
seven ahead of us with three games left. Remember we also host the league leaders on the final day of the season. Mathmatically we can still do this and the pressure is all on the beer company..
Find out whether EDC can do the impossible and win their next two games, hope Angkor Tiger drop more points and take it down to the last game of the season to decide who will win the 2024 C-League Title!
Read Part 55: Clutching at Straws Here!
Comments
Post a Comment