Angkor Tiger and Next Step FC aim for record attendances in bumper Siem Reap Football weekend

Angkor Tiger and Next Step FC aim for record attendances this weekend at the newly christened Hanuman Stadium, in what promises to be a bumper weekend of football action in the tourist Mecca of Siem Reap. 

What is the Hanuman Stadium?

“There’s only three teams at Hanuman”! The Hanuman Stadium, which perversely is owned by Siem Reap United FC was completed in 2019 and is the premier football stadium in Siem Reap. This is in contrast to Svay Thom Stadium, which to put it mildly has seen better days. 

The stadium was previously home to Angkor Tiger, the most successful team in Siem Reap, as well as the feckless Soltilo Angkor FC, owned and now apparently to be played for by national “coach” Honda.

And as of yesterday Next Step FC have become the third team from Siem Reap to call the Hanuman Stadium home, with matches taking place on Sunday’s for CPL 2, as opposed to the Saturday matches of CPL 1.

To read about the Cambodian Premier League click here.

To read about Cambodian Premier League 2 click here

Angkor Tiger and Next Step FC aim for record attendances – Matches and form

Since the resumption of the season the Tigers have been on fine form, even if results have not exactly gone their way. So far they have managed a 3-3 away draw against bottom club Kirivong Sok Sen Chey, a narrow 3-2 away loss against reining champions Phnom Penh Crown, as well as a slightly controversial 3-1 loss to Visakha FC, one in which poor refereeing was the main takeaway from the match.

Despite this the team has been championed by pundits and fans alike for playing some of the most exciting attacking football within the Kingdom, partly spurred on by summer signing Mouzinho from East Timor.

To read about the signing of Mouzinho click here. 

And this Saturday they want the home fans to come in droves as they aim to break their previous record attendance of 3500 against high-flying Boeung Ket FC, with Tiger chief Alistair Heath telling us “I’m calling out to all fans to come support us this Saturday and show your appreciation for how the team have been battling”.

Next Step FC vs Prey Veng FC

Next Step FC were also aiming to break both their and the CPL 2 record attendance of 1100 fans, which they achieved earlier in the season. The Next Step FC story has been somewhat different to Tiger, with results not exactly going their way.

Despite winning their first match of the campaign the season has been blighted by a number of high-scoring defeats, specifically a 17-0 loss to the team they host on Sunday, Prey Veng FC. 

Despite these setbacks the team have been on the up of late, securing sponsorship  deals with blockchain based realtors Z21, as well as adventure travel agency Young Pioneer Tours

Results have also improved with the teams losing streak ending against Siem Reap FC, as well as narrowly losing to high-flying EDC FC and Koh Kong FC.

As to Sunday’s match coach Charlie Pomroy had this to say “In the last few months we have really grown as a club both from a financial and playing side. Moving to the Hanuman stadium can only help us grow as a club and we invite all fans to not only come and help us break the record, but also see how much we’ve grown as a team”. 

So, whether you live in Siem Reap, or are visiting this weekend for pleasure, make sure that watching a match, or two is on your itinerary. 

Angkor Tiger will play Boeung Ket FC at 15.30 on Saturday 16th July

Next Step FC will play Prey Veng FC at 15.45 on Sunday 17th July 

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