The big question casting shadows over match results. Is CPL 2 working?

Round five of CPL 2 finished much as round four did. With lopsided scores, questions over late payments and whether the league is doing what it needs to achieve what it was set to, let alone even survive.

To read about CPL 2 click here.

CPL 2 Round 5 highlights

For the first time since the start of the season there were no huge scoring games. Minnows Tboung Khmum’s 4-1 victory against Banteay Meanchey FC. set the high bar for scoring over the weekend.

One of the main reasons for the lack in lopsided scores this time around is that this was the first week in which most teams were relatively even matched.

At the top of the table, Visakha’s sister club, Prey Veng managed an impressive 2-0 away win at Asia Euro United. EDC FC triumphed over sorry Soltilo Angkor FC 2-0. That result left the Siem Reap team firmly at the bottom of the standings, quite a fall from grace when you consider they were in the top-tier just last season. 

It was not a lousy weekend for Siem Reap sides overall for Siem Reap with Next Step FC losing 2-0 at home to National Police (proud owners of the worst stadium in Cambodia), Siem Reap FC also lost 3-0 away to National Academy, that team having seemingly rebounded in style after their shock opening day defat against Next Step FC.

To read about the 7NG stadium click here. 

As things currently stand, Next Step finds itself in 10th place, Siem Reap FC in 11th and Soltilo in 12th, not great news for the Siem Reapers out there.

Is CPL 2 working?

While the senior loop has indeed created a more equal division and delivered exciting matches, CPL 2 has been less successful in doing the same. Results so far suggest that the “Big Six”, who all have professional pedigree, have in essence being lumped in with teams that do not. 

The result is that pro football in the Kingdom for all intents and purposes appears to have more than the two official tiers on record. There is effectively a third, the division within the division that is made up of the teams in the lower performing rung of CPL 2. Those sides not only appear incapable of delivering quality games but they also seem to lack the financial capacity required to do so. Many clubs are reportedly struggling, not just to pay ongoing bills, but even the costs associated with being able to attend matches. 

Speaking to Khmer Nights, Charlie Pompey of Next Step FC had this to say about the situation.

“The federation needs to do more to support provincial clubs. We still do not know if payments are weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly and regardless they are usually late. For smaller clubs this is untenable. From where I sit it seems the FFC (Football Federation of Cambodia) are more interested in taking pictures than looking after clubs. It seem they have jumped head first into the pool that is Cambodian football and that CPL 2 is being treated like an afterthought”. 

These financial issues may well be linked to the league having failed as of yet to find a naming sponsor or to sell TV rights, the two key objectives identified by CPL CEO Satoshi as cornerstones of his plan for development within the country.

To read the interview with Satoshi click here.

So, is CPL 2 working?

Launching with twelve teams was ambitious and even admirable. But without revenue coming in to be distributed to the clubs, a huge question remains unanswerable at this point in the season. That being just how many CPL 2 teams can or will survive the season. 

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