Cambodian Premier League Round 5 Roundup
The season might still be in its infancy, but round 5 of the CPL not only threw up some amazing matches, it also firmly put the spotlight on certain coaches that might well be feeling under pressure already.
To read about the Cambodian Premier League click here.
Featured Match – Visakha FC 1 Beoung Ket 2
Attending the match with former Visakha coach Colum Curtis made this an interesting affair, but in the end it was the stark differences between his former team and the current incarnation that really told a story.
As favourites, Visakha started the match in full control and eventually took the lead with a 32nd minute mark goal from star player Sovann. What should have have followed was the home team sealing the match, but Boeung Ket equalised on the brink of half-time with a blisteeing counter-attack and some truly truly awful defending following a Visakha corner.
The second half largely followed the script of the first. Visakha dominated, but looked insecure every time Boeung Ket managed to get a break. And that they did in the 64th minute. A goal from Seang Chanter would seal the match.
With Visakha hitting the wood work a colossal six times and having numerous chances to score it would be easy to chalk this game’s result up as simply being “bad luck”. The home team though was tactically lacking and naive, particularly on the attack. It is all very well having chance after chance, but without having someone able to put the ball in the back of the net? Clearly you have problems.
Kenny Athiu is a fabulous player, but he is not a goal scorer. The club is in desperate need of an out and out striker of the caliber of a Markus Haber. Who was on the team until allowed to simply leave during pre-season. It is no coincidence that he is now scoring goals for fun and Svay Rieng are top of the CPL.
Visakha FC are going to have to drastically improve if are to have any chance of finishing in the top four, let alone winning the league this year.
Cambodian Premier League Round 5 Roundup
There were fewer shocks in the other CPL 1 matches. Phnom Penh Crown destroyed Kirivong Sok Sen Chey 6-1 in a match that hopefully proves Crown’s early form this season was but a mere blip. Alas for Kirivong? The match confirmed their status as favorouites for the wooden spoon.
Svay Rieng, who up until this match had a perfect no-loss record, had to deal with one of their more formidable foes, that being the weather. With their match against Nagaworld tied at 0-0 the waterlogged pitch forced the match to be suspended until playable conditions ensued. The game was finally finished on Sunday, resulting in a 1-1 draw. And yes, you guessed it. Markus Haber was once again on the scoresheet. The two teams kept their 1st and 2nd place rankings intact, with Svay Rieng remaining the only unbeaten team in the CPL.
It was down in Siem Reap where the real fun happened over the weekend as Alistair Heath’s Angkor Tiger’s beat Tiffy Army 5-4 in a truly epic encounter.
A surprise appointment, Alistair Heath had promised attacking football and that is exactly what the team are now delivering. Speaking exclusively to Khmer Nights he said “I’m delighted with the win, the fight and the endeavour that the players showed in the match. The team still has a lot of scope for development but as of now I could not be happier with what they are producing”.
To read our interview with Heath click here.
After a weekend of flip-flopping results? The question that emerges upon the completion of round five is who will be the first coach to get the boot this season and when.
Author: Gareth Johnson
Gareth Johnson is the founder of Young Pioneer Tours and has visited over 180+ countries. His passion is opening obscure destinations to tourism and sharing his experience of street food.
