71. Transfers and Takeovers

 

It was two days after the party and the first day back at training. In this time I'd had time to reflect on the events and Hem Vutha's shock announcement. I had very much mixed feelings about the situation. On the one hand a new chairman and one with a bit more money and ambition than Hem Vutha might be what is needed to drive us forward towards the league title and become the fifth professional Cambodian club. Then, would any new chairman want to bring in their own manager to lead the team and get rid of me? I won't lie I have had thoughts of moving away from EDC, hence my dalliance with Melaka in Malaysia, but then Charlotte happened at the same time and I wouldn't have got the job anyway.. Whichever way this panned out I would have to try and carry on as normal. Luckily all this was happening in the early pre-season so would not affect the players much as they would be on their holidays and doing extra shifts at he Electricity Company as they often did between November and March. Secondly as Nen Borey had pointed out to me, once talks with a new owner were proceeding a transfer embargo would be placed on the club, meaning we could not buy or sell any players (such as this is in Cambodia). This meant that we would have to get any business done early in the transfer window. Perhaps mine and Charlotte's Bonnie and Clyde routine at the party would pay dividends after all?

I was not wrong. I arrived for training (such as it was this time of the season, more like a social get together with a light kickabout thrown in) Low and behold, four extra players had turned up, Sung Rot, Leap Bo, Um Makara and most importantly, Sok Oeun Pidor. They couldn't wait to sign and so me, Nen Borey and Director of Football, Khim Ravy wasted no time in taking them on board. It's great when a plan comes together. Charlotte was delighted when I told her later on.

Um Makara (DC/DMC)

Back for his second spell at the club, this ball winning midfielder can also play at centre back, with excellent marking ability. A great addition. Welcome back Um!

Leap Bo (DMC/MC)

Another player returning to The Electricity Stadium, Leap Bo has improved his game and will bring much needed leadership in the midfield engine room. 

SOK OEUN PIDOR IS BACK AT EDC

After the announcement was made, EDC fans congregated at the Electricity Stadium to see the return of the prodigal son. I have managed to tempt him away from the National Police, back where he belongs at Team Electric!  

Sung Rot (AMC/FC)

Amazingly, Sung Rot is back at EDC for his third spell at the club. The pacy attacking midfielder gives me another option in the number 10 role.

Sok Chanraksmy Retires

Club legend, Sok Chanraksmy has retired from professional football. When I first joined the club, way back in 2020, it was Sok Chanraksmy who stood out as one of the best players at the club. He won 11 caps for Cambodia, scoring 5 times. The pinnacle of his career came when he scored 21 goals in 24 appearances during the 2021 campaign, who along with partner in crime, Keo Udom regularly tore C-League defences apart. His goals saw EDC reach their first Hun Sen Cup final, where he will be most remembered for his “Gordon Smith” moment when he shot tamely into the keeper’s arms when through on goal in the final minute of the game, spurning the chance to equalise and take the match into extra time. Some say he had been spooked by a curse put on him by a Nagaworld-supporting monk, Sonny Mekarna during a visit to Angkor Wat, although this was never proven. After this incident he fell down the pecking order at EDC as younger strikers, Taboula, Noron and Nhem took precedence. He still turned out for the reserves, remaining professional and helping the youngsters he played alongside. In 2023 he became a player-scout and played an important role in recruiting players for the club. Sok will carry on at EDC, purely as a scout and retain his links with the club.

 

OTHER NEW SIGNINGS

Players In – Ros Kongsamrach (DR)

My first priority was to sign a good, first choice right back and hopefully now in Ros Kongamrach  I have solved this on-going nagging problem in this position which has been present pretty much throughout my reign as EDC manager. He will also add some much needed pace to our back four.

Nodeem Adekunjo (DRC/DM)

I have snapped up experienced utility man, Adekunjo who was released by Phnom Penh Crown. He will add some much needed expertise and versatility in our defence.

Soeung Soksana (DC/DMC)

A solid centre back who can also play in midfield, with good aerial ability, tackling and teamwork.

Mat Mol joins EDC

A tough tackling centre back, with good marking and room to progress.

 Soeuy Visal Free Transfer

This is somewhat of a coup for EDC. Visal has 64 caps for Cambodia and the 30 year old adds experience and pace to our defence.

Nhem Sophorn (DR/L DM) free transfer from Kang Reach Say

I love a utility player and Nhem Sophorn is a bright prospect, still learning his trade but will be able to step in and do a job when required.

Three Brand New Teams Promoted to The C-League

There will be three new promoted teams this year, who have never been in the C-League. They are Life University, Kampong Chhnang (not to be confused with Kampong Cham) and Baksey Chamkrong. Good luck to them, except when they play us of course!

Small Boost In Reputation

EDC have gained a small boost in reputation and are now the 6^th most reputable club in Cambodia and the second semi professional team after the National Police. The big four professional clubs inevitably lead the way.

Board Announce Budgets and Expectations

I have been given a war chest of £4,000 for the new season and a wage budget of £3700.

The board expect me to finish in the top half of the table and reach the Quarter Finals of the Hun Sen Cup.

My Expectations – Challenge for the Title. Try and go on a good cup run.

New Fixtures Announced for the 2026 C-League Season

EDC have a tricky opening few fixtures. We start with an away trip to The National Police, before hosting Boeung Ket and then facing Nagaworld away. It will be a good test to see where we are at.

A New Goalkeeping Coach

Yet another goalkeeping coach joins EDC. Good luck mate.

A new Head Physio

We needed a new head physio and have signed this 29 year old who has a long future in healing footballers ahead of him.

Friendly 1 Chmao Khmao v EDC

Our first friendly sees us take on usually friendly opposition in the shape of Chmao Khmao. Um Makara plays the ball to Pidor whose flick on reaches Taboula in the left channel. His cross is blocked, Pidor fires it in to Dara whose shot is then blocked. The rebound falls to Sung Rot who fires the ball into the top corner to open the scoring.

Pidor and Ratana combine on the left. Ratana curls the ball in the defender misses it and Samnang Nhem nips in round the back to slot home. 2-0.

Just before half time, Kongsmarch’s free kick is headed home at the far post by Sok Oeun Pidor!

We were poor in the second half and our hosts created a few chances. Chay Sinoun fired in a deserved consolation.

Final Score Chmao Khmao 1-3 EDC

Sinoun 90                                Sung Rot 11

                                                 Nhem 23

                                                 Pidor 45

Friendy 2: EDC v EDC Reserves

Second up is our traditional kickabout with the Reserves. Here’s how we got on. Taboula and Nhem exchanged passes and the youngster thrashed the ball into the top corner like only he can.

EDC hit the reserves on the break, with Sung Rot running clear and slotting home number 2.

The Reserves hit back. Udon Sann’s shot is blocked and Sambath Mom fires into the empty net from the angle. 2-1.

From a free kick the ball is cleared and Pelap Taboula runs through unchallenged for number three.

Sung Rot picks the ball up in midfield and dribbles past Capriati like he isn’t there and slots past the hapless Votanak, to make it 4-1, with just 15 minutes on the clock. This is more like a rugby sevens game than a football match.

Sung Rot is having a stormer here. A corner is cleared but the ball is picked up by Ratana who plays it forward to Sung Rot who turns and fires in number 5 into the bottom corner. This is men against boys.

Amazingly there’s no further scoring before half time, although Pidor hit the post and Sung Rot thwacked the crossbar. At the other end, Som made some fine saves to deny Sann.

Into the second half. Sambath Mom volleyed home a Tuy Oudom cross to make it 5-2.

Savy Theara fires home from the penalty spot after a dubious foul by Visal. 5-3.

Mat Noron responds with a penalty of his own after Pheara was upended in the box. 6-3.

Mol Ly bursts through to make it 6-4 after a good team move.

He scores again, wriggling free from inside the box to slot home his hat-trick.

It’s squeaky bum time but after a good move, Nhem Dara is sent clear, his shot is blocked by the defender, but the ball falls into the path of Men Samnang who thwacks it into the top corner from the angle. 7-5.

Sor Chanvirak fires in a late free kick for 7-6.

Mat Noron puts clear daylight between the two sides when he latches onto a lovely ball from Sann Dara and powers it home for 8-6.

Final Score EDC 8-6 EDC Reserves

Friendly 3 – Samnang Apivath v EDC

Makara sprays the ball to Tuy Oudom who skips past his man and fizzes a shot which the goalkeeper parries, only as far as Mat Noron who smashes in the rebound, 1-0.

Ratana throws the ball in on the left to Men Samnang who steps inside his man and curls a wonderful shot into the top corner past the keeper. 2-0.

Our opponents win a corner and Run Veasna is allowed a free near post header to halve the deficit. 2-1.

Chea Samnang, who is having a good game in centre mid sprays the ball out to a resurgent Tuy Oudom who sprints down the right. His cross is met first time by Men Samnang, ghosting in off the left flank to sweep home number three. 3-1 EDC.

From a free kick the referee awards a penalty. Not sure how, but Noron steps up and hammers the ball into the top corner for 4-1.

Final Score Samnang Apivath 1-4 EDC

Veasna 30                         Noron 18, 75 (pen)

                                            Samnang 27,31

Friendly 4 EDC v Kep

I’ve put the kids out for this one, including a couple of trialists. It was young prospect, Thin Pheng, a right winger who repays my faith when he cuts in from the flank and curls a wonderful effort straight into the top corner. Take a bow son! The same player creates the second. The youngster dips his shoulder and gains half a yard, before fizzing a delicious low cross for Taboula to tap home. The striker barely had to break his stride. Prak Piseth pulls one back with an equally brilliant curling shot from the edge of the box.

Tep Vandeth equalises after a long goal kick. Sloppy. 2-2. Youngster Sor Chanvirak restores our lead after he bustles his way through their defence before slotting confidently home. 3-2.

Chanvirak doubles his tally from a classic breakaway goal, with Taboula leading the charge down the left before squaring to the young striker who slides the ball confidently home.

Ros Konsmarch send the ball forward to Sung Rot who chests the ball down and runs at the heart of the Kep defence before unleashing a rocket into the top corner for 5-2. Superb! 

Friendly 5 – EDC v Tay Ninh (VIE)

Our friends from across the Vietnamese border visit us for our annual kickabout.

The visitors draw first blood. Van Tung gets down the left and he squares it to the onrushing Van Tam who beats Som with an instant finish. We huff and puff but fail to blow the house down. It’s 1-0 to them at the break. I tell them they have not been good enough and they listen. We start the second half brightly and are rewarded when Men Samnang fires a free kick into the top corner for one each. These boys can play though. A well worked free kick sees Tuan cross for van Tung to sneak in at the far post and fire the ball past Som. Their lead doesn’t last long. Ratana’s deep cross causes panic in the Tay Ninh box. In the scramble the ball runs loose for Pelap Taboula to squeeze the ball into an empty net from the angle. 2-2.

The match peters out into a draw, but a good exercise against decent opposition.

Friendly 6 Kirivong v EDC

It was tit for tat until on 25 minutes a breakaway saw Sung Rot leading the charge, the ball was laid off to Chea Samnang who planted one of his trademark strikes into the top bins. Men Samnang doubles the lead with a brilliantly struck free kick a certain Mr Beckham would have been proud of. Into the second half and we look very comfortable. Sub Leap Bo’s ball into the box sees young Nhem Dara stick out a leg to poke home a third. Un Mony Udom slots home a fourth from the penalty spot after young Thin Pheng was felled in the box. 

Final Score: Kirivong 0-4 EDC

                      Chea Samnang, Men Samnang,

                             Dara, Udom

Board Expectations

The board (as it stands) want EDC to finish in the top half of the table and reach the Quarter Finals of The Hun Sen Cup.

My expectations – Challenge for the title and have a good cup run.

Double Injury Blow

Tuy Oudom (now back in the reckoning) will miss the start of the season with a groin strain, while key midfielder, Um Makara has an abdominal muscle strain keeping him out for a month.

Friendly 7 EDC v Wat Phnom

Visal’s long ball reaches Mat Noron in the penalty area. He turns in one slick movement and fires home. 1-0. Touch Sinoun equalises in the second half after a breakaway. Straight from the kick off though young right back, Kouch Mol lifts the ball into the penalty area. Nhem shows his class by turning away from his marker and firing home for 2-1. The same player increases the lead by running onto Cheng Ravy’s goal kick and cooly slotting home for a 3-1 win.

New Tactics and Formation

I’ve decided to have an overhaul of my tactics and formation, which I hope will be for the best. Up until now we have been largely a counter-attacking side, set up to stifle the opposition and then break at pace. This kind of tactic though has its limitations and is one for a club to my mind that is a mid-table to bottom of the table and looking to stifle the opposition, which was the EDC that I inherited back in 2020. We have moved on and I think that I have built a side which can seriously challenge for the title. This means we must play like a team who believes they can. Therefore I have changed my style to Control Possession in a short passing style, as I want us to be able to dominate games and play on the front foot. My formation has also changed to a flexible 4-4-2, which is great news for some of my players such as Tuy Oudom who are out and out wingers. I want us to use the width of the pitch, but with the ability to roam from positions to confuse the opposition, so for example if the ball is down the left, then the right winger has the license to wander into the box to make a three in the penalty area. We’ll see how long it takes my team to adopt these new tactics successfully.

International Call Ups

My young defender Ung Hai has been called up to the Cambodian U19s squad against Qatar in a friendly. Men Samnang is in the U23s squad to play Qatar U23. Ratana, Nhem Dara and Samnang Nhem have been called up by the senior squad to play, yes you’ve guessed it, Qatar in a friendly and Tajikistan in an Asian Cup Qualifier. 

Transfer Embargo Placed on EDC

A transfer embargo has been placed on EDC as two parties battle for control of the club. A group lead by local businessmen, Mao Virath and Sann Veasna are said to be interested in buying the club, while a rival bidder, Oum Vannak has pledged to replace me as manager if he is successful in taking over... Bastard...! 

Find out who takes control of EDC and whether I am still in a job next time on The Ultimate World Football Manager Game!