Sihanoukville Province tops Kampot Province 1-0 and the joys of regional football

Competitive football has returned to Cambodia, good news despite the match we took in not exactlybring a humdinger. Hosts Sihanoukvile Province snuck away with a 1-0 victory despite Kampot FC dominating the match.

To read about watching football in Cambodia click here

Why no big club in Sihanoukville Province?

Let’s set the scene here a bit. Small places like Svey Rieng, Takeo and Prey Veng have professional sides, while important places like Sihanoukville and Kampot do not. This was a point brought up to me by a slightly peculiar man who spoke rather good English. He did say though that at least the football kept the kids off drugs. Which was nice.

Currently Sihanoukville has a provincial team, but no professional one that actually plays there. This should theoretically make it ripe as hell for a Chinese billionaire to build a stadium and a powerhouse club in the city. After all, Sihanoukville could always use a bit more building work.

To read about the Cambodian Premier League click here

Sihanoukville Province 1 Kampot Province 0

After being the weaker side Sihanoukville snuck into the lead before the end of the first 10 minutes through Seng Lyna, who but minutes later had to come off injured. Kampot then went fully on the offensive, completely dominating play, but failing to find the net.

Sihanoukville for their part took their city of sin moniker to heart having 3 players booked before half time and then getting a player sent-off minutes into the second half. Despite spending the rest of the match with only 10 men and being completely under siege, Sihanoukville were saved by the complete ineptitude of Kampot in front of goal.

In case you like stats, Kampot had 11 corners to 1 for Sihanoukville and while I am always on the lookout for future talent, I did not spot the next George Best today.

Sihanoukville FC Stadium?

The game was played at not so much a stadium but rather, more a high-school pitch. There were few fans at the start, but the crowd gre as the match proceeded. And to be honest, I have seen less fans on hand at many a top-flight game.

The situation as a spectator was fairly good, with street food galore at the entrance to feed the hungry students and indeed fans!

To read about street food in Sihanoukville click here