| Fadhil Yunus |
CAMBODIA national under-21 Head Coach Prak Sovannara has emphasised that it will not be an easy game against Timor-Leste in the final of the Hassanal Bolkiah Trophy (HBT) for Asean Youth Football Tournament 2018 at the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium tonight.
With both finalists’ in unfamiliar territory after managing their deepest run in the competition, Sovannara indicated that the strength of the team that reach the title decider could not be argued.
The head coach pointed three main components namely the fitness level, individual quality and the team as a whole which will be the main assets which their opponents embrace.
“Even though Timor-Leste lost 2-0 to Myanmar, they played with a high intensity from the first minute until the end. The game will be tough and everyone will enjoy the game tomorrow,” said Cambodia head coach Prak Sovannara during a final preview press conference at the Theatre Hall of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Stadium yesterday.
The national under-21 team reached a final for the first time since joining football competitions especially in Southeast Asia in 1995 after stunning reigning holders Myanmar 2-1 in the last four.
Cambodia football enjoyed some success in the 1970s especially in 1973 when they won a trophy but it took a long wait until now where they have an opportunity of winning a final.
The young Angkor Warriors’ ascent to the final has been met with nationwide acclaim back in their home country and has reignited interest in the accomplishments of the team.
“They have got a good impression from the crowd in Cambodia so if you look at Facebook, everybody talks about football especially the under-21 team,” he said.
“If you look at our preparations, we learnt a lot from the first game against Lao PDR when we lost the game. We bounced back to win the last two games so this is very good for us.”
The head coach confirmed that forward Mat Noron has been ruled out of the competition after an unfortunate collision with Singapore’s Irfan Fandi during the final Group ‘B’ game.
Nevertheless, the majority of his players are in good conditions and thanked the competition committee for allowing both sides adequate rest time for 48 hours.
Sovannara also expressed his hopes that they will be providing a good game in the final showdown.
Asked whether he will be making any changes in his starting line-up, he replied: “From the first game to the third game, I changed all the time at least three players because it is very hard for the coaching staff to choose the starting eleven. The quality is not far from each other.
“We discussed more with the coaching staff how to play the first eleven,” the former Cambodia international added.
Sovannara has identified midfielder Rufino Walter Gama as a player that they have to keep close tabs with following a series of impressive performances this campaign.
Cambodia’s steady progress in the final has been rewarded for their hard work as well as their wealth of experience in matches.
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