72. Start of Season 7

 

Despite the upheaval of the takeover which which rumbling on in the backgound, it was important that me and my backroom staff took a "business as usual" approach to the start of the brand new Cambodian season. It is fair to say that the fixture computer had been less than kind to us during this period too. Some nice easy fixtures and a few early wins would help my cause of staying in the job, should any new owner be thinking about making a change. The first game, a visit to the vastly improved National Police (at least in a footballing sense) was followed by Boeung Ket at home and then a trip to the casino in our third match, which could potentially be my first match under the new regime. This was a tough start to the season.

While Nen Borey and I were making tactical plans for the following day's training session there was a knock at my door. It was my effervescent, but sometimes highly strung head of youth development, Chan Vannak. 

"Boss, How could you?"

"How could I what?"

"You forgot.. I can't believe you forgot!"

(This sounded more like Charlotte if I'd forgotten her birthday)

"What did I forget?"

"You forgot to tell the world about all the brilliant Cambodian wonderkids that I have unearthed for you three months ago.. You know the ones that are currently in our U21 team, that signed a youth contract all the way back in November.."

I rolled my eyes and grinned at Nen Borey... 

"But please note this was done before the transfer embargo was imposed because of this takeover thingy. Make sure the readers around the world know this!"

"Very well..."

Annual Youth Intake (back in November 2025)

At a time when the football club is bursting at the seams with players and seriously need trimming down to size, my Head of Youth Development, Chan Vannak has recruited a whole army of new potential recruits. Whisper it quietly, but this could be a golden generation and are the most talented group to come through the club’s ranks in recent years... Hmm we’ll see about that..

 New Youth Players

Here’s a list of the new youth players I have decided to offer contracts to.

Thin Theng MR/AMR

A promising young winger with good pace and crossing ability. He did well in a couple of the pre-season friendlies

Va Rithy AMC

A good prospect with good pace and finishing ability.

Mom Chamroeurn DR

A lesser spotted right back with decent potential.

Ung Hai DC

A decent young central defender with good tackling ability.

Sach Ratana MC

A decent midfield prospect with a good passing range.

"Happy now?"

Chan Vannak smiled and skipped out the room...

"While your at it boss, you may as well inform our readers around the world about the players who left the club over the Christmas transfer window? suggested Nen Borey.

"Can't believe I forgot to do that Nen.."

"That Charlotte.. she's too much of a distraction.."

"Your right Nen.. this should have gone in "The Big Reunion" post.."

Players Who Left The Club In Pre-Season (before the transfer embargo)

Soeung Rithy (DR)

Ly Sophorn (DMC)

Sok Chanvirak (ST)

Sonevilay Sihavong (DR)

Ouk Vibol (DRC)- free transfer to Western Phnom Penh

Seut Bairaing (DL)

Chey Chitra (ST)

Sok Vandeth (DL)

Sok Makara (DRLC)

Touch Van (MR/AMR)

Vannak Sok (AMC)

Tola Mao (DMC)

Lamine Santos (MC)

"Right Nen.. Let's start Season 7!"

Match 1- National Police v EDC 23/03/26

So here we go again, the beginning of a brand new shiny league campaign! I think we are going to be a lot better this year and look more solid at the back. Our new tactic will also help to dominate games and deny our opponents the ball. As ever though, the final result will be down to the lap of the FM Gods.

Away to the National Police is a difficult assignment first up but will be a great game to see where we are at after our pre-season recruitment drive. They have Okereke leading the line and our old foe from Nagaworld, Long Pheng just behind, and former EDC man, Min Ratanak in centre mid. They are dangerous opponents, but we can play too.. Chea Samnang has not quite recovered from injury so Leap Bo steps in, while Visal is suspended and Pidor still injured.

Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Adekunjo, Gbayoro, Ratana, Soksana, Leap Bo, Nhem, Sung Rot, Taboula, Men Samnang

Match Action

We keep the ball well in the opening exchanges, but the Police are soon on our case. A long ball from their keeper causes panic in our defence. Soksana can only flick the ball towards his own goal and Thorn Darapitch runs onto the ball. He hits the post, but the rebound falls to Okereke who makes no mistake. Not the start I had in mind.. The police are looking dangerous and Darapitch forces another fine save from Som, while Taboula fizzes one over the crossbar. Then a well worked move involving Soksana, Men Samnang and Ratana down the left whose cross results in Nhem hitting the post with a bullet header, Unlucky. Long Pheng turns Messi-like in the centre circle and runs forward with menace before playing a perfectly weighted through ball for Okereke who smacks it into the top corner. This is not going to plan.

Into the second half and we are the better side. Nhem gallops down the right but is tackled. In the blink of an eye the Police kick the ball downfield to that man Okereke who sprints past Adukanjo, then finds Long Pheng who squares to In Sovidad. He beats Som at his near post.. 3-0 down, this is dreadful...

We manage to pull one back. Men Samanag gallops down the left and his through ball sends Taboula in on goal, who angrily fires it into the top corner. 3-1. The revival was not to last. Long Pheng who has bullied our defence all day gets his goal to make it 4-1. I am devastated; I thought we were better than this. Gutted.. Maybe if this takeover goes ahead I deserve to be replaced...

Khemera thrash Angkor Tiger

Although our 4-1 defeat to the Police was pretty horrendous, we can console ourselves that at least it was not the worst result of the day as Khemera thrashed the Champions, Angkor Tiger 7-1!

Hun Sen Cup 2nd Qualifying Round Draw

In a twist of fate, we draw.. yes you’ve guessed it..  the one and only Bati Youth in the first round of the cup. Well at least we have a chance to seek revenge for last season. In another strange twist they could end up being my first and last opponents of my EDC career if I lose my job because of the takeover..

Exciting News In Takeover Bid

The consortium featuring local businessmen, Sann Veasna and Mao Virath are the frontrunners to take over at EDC. Rival bidder, Oum Vannak (the one who wanted to get rid of me) has pulled out. The new investors have talked about building a new stadium for EDC and investing in the playing staff. Could this mean professionalism? 

Match 2 EDC v Boeung Ket

I feel like I’ve come full circle with EDC. I’m feeling exactly like I did when I first took them over and that is batten down the hatches against the professional sides, such as Boeung Ket. I go in with a defensive 4-2-3-1. Mat Mol makes his debut alongside Adekunjo in the all important central defence role. Things can only get better as somebody once sang..

Team: Som, Kongsmarch, Adekunjo, Mol, Ratana, Leap Bo, Soksana, Sung Rot, Nhem, Taboula, Men Samnang

Match Action

We look up for this and already look sharper in the mind and in the tackle. An early slide challenge from Leap Bo gets a big cheer from the home crowd. Taboula lashes a shot over the bar and then Sung Rot not long after sends a fizzing warning shot just wide of the post. Encouraging. Then we strike. Konsmarch retrieves the ball from a panicked clearance by their defender and keeps the ball in on the right touchline. He finds Leap Bo who flights the ball into the area where Taboula lays it off to Nhem. Nhem now for EDC, right edge of the area, He crosses it in.. Taaaabbbooullllaa!!I He finds the net with an acrobatic overhead kick. What a goal! Men Samnang drifts in from the left flank and finds Nhem! He forces a flying save from the keeper,  preventing the ball from bursting the top corner of the net. Ket have a couple of attacks but ultimately they come to nothing. The clock ticks to half time. One nil to the EDC.

As expected Boeung Ket come on strong in the second half. We pack the defence and it seems to be working. However, Adekunjo scuffs a clearance straight to Ouch Oudom, who plays in Sun Dara to slot home an equaliser...  We rally and take a firmer grip on the game. We win a free kick on the near side. Ratana hangs the ball up to the far post where Samnang Nhem leaps highest and guides a looping header into the corner of the net to open his account for the season. Now we need to keep them out. I go defensive with Pidor and Nhem playing as wide midfielders. We look far better organised in defence and are like a blue wall which resists everything Ket can throw at us. We even manage to create a couple of chances of our own on the break. We see it through. What a much improved performance that was from the horror show in the opening game. We were sharp in the tackle. Mol had an impressive debut at the back, while Soksana and Leap Bo were magnificent in defensive midfield.

Final Score EDC 2-1 Boeung Ket

Taboula 9                       Sun Dara 55

Nhem 74

EDC Takeover Bid Completed

Sann Veasna has become the new chairman of EDC after taking over the club from Hem Vutha and wishes to retain the services of manager, Jonathan Rudd...

 

Finally the takeover is complete and despite humiliation by The National Police on the opening day, Rudd (for now) keeps his job. What will the new chairman, Sann Veasna bring to the club and could this be the beginning of a bright new era for Electricitie Du Cambodge? Find out next time on The Ultimate World FM Game!