Angkor Warriors Turn to Japanese Coach for Upcoming Internationals

PHNOM PENH – Kazunori Ohara, who was recently appointed technical director of the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC), has been named the new coach of the national team.

With Cambodia’s World Cup qualifying bid set to begin at home in June, the timing of the appointment by the FFC has once again raised questions about the organization.

Commenting on the appointment, FFC spokesman May Tola, speaking in a telephone interview with Khmer Times said, “We have decided to rearrange our setup as we have two teams [U-22 & Seniors] in international contention in June.

“We have decided to appoint Mr. Ohara to prepare the senior side for the World Cup qualification competition.”

Mr. Ohara, a 42-year-old native of Japan, had previously led the national team of Bhutan from 2012 to 2014. The tiny-nation state was until recently the lowest-ranked national team in FIFA rankings.

The appointment brings an abrupt end to the reign of South Korean coach Lee Tae Hoon, who has been at the helm of the national squad since mid-2013. He previously managed the side for a two-year stint until he was relieved of his duties in October 2012.

Mr. Tola maintained that the FFC were not demoting Tae Hoon, but instead refocusing his talents on the youth side.

“Mr. Tae Hoon will focus on training the U-22’s in preparation for the 28th SEA Games in Singapore,” said Mr. Tola. “His contract was for two years and will expire in July.

“At this stage, we do not know whether we will renew his contract or not. The committee will make a decision based on his performance. This will happen when the time is right.”

Mr. Tola rejected suggestions that the FFC was placing more emphasis on success in the SEA Games. He reassured fans that World Cup qualification, however distant a possibility, remained firmly on the Federation’s radar.

“Both the SEA Games and World Cup are very important to us,” he said. “At the SEA Games, although we don’t expect to get an award, we are expecting to make it to the semifinals. We are seeking a good result in all competitions we participate in.”

Cambodian Youngsters Headed to Malaysia

The Cambodian U-22 squad will leave for Kuala Lumpur on Monday to play a series of friendly matches with their U-23 Malaysian counterparts.

The team hopes the matches will help prepare them for the 28th SEA Games, to be held in Singapore from 29th May-13th June.

Football Action This Weekend

Football fans can catch these matches this week:

•    Metfone C-League side Boeung Ket Angkor FC will take on Ministry of National Defense FC in a practice match at the Old Stadium on Friday. The game is set for a 3 pm kickoff.

•    Crown FC Academy U-17 will play NagaWorld FC on Friday at 4 pm at the RSN Stadium in Toul Kork.
•    The Academy’s U-15s will meet Civil Aviation at 2 pm on the RSN training pitch for a friendly on Saturday. Crown seniors then hosts Asia Europe University FC in another friendly at 4 pm.