2011 Samdech Hun Sen Cup kicks off in provinces

2011 Samdech Hun Sen Cup kicks off in provinces

Excitement is running high throughout the Kingdom as the new year welcomes the season opening fifth edition of the Samdech Hun Sen Cup from January 7. Cambodian premier domestic football competition serves as a symbol of supremacy for provincial sides worth their salt and affords a chance for less illustrious ones to rub shoulders with some of the best in the business.

The week-long preliminary phase runs involves 32 teams split into eight groups of four, each playing simultaneously at four provincial centres – Battambang, Kampong Thom, Prey Veng and Takeo.

The top two teams from each of the groups then progress to the knockout rounds beginning on January 22, with all games played at Olympic Stadium. The grand final is slated for February 26.

All the Metfone C-League teams - with the notable exception of Khemara Keila, who have pulled out due to financial difficulties - will be vying for honours. National Defence Ministry thrillingly prevailed 3-2 over Phnom Penh Crown in last year’s epic final which went into extra time.

Attractive cash prizes are on offer with the winning squad assured of 80 million riels (US$19,750), runners-up taking home 40 million riels and third place finishers banking 20 million riels. There are also individual cash bonuses for the top goal scorer, best goalkeeper, best referees team and a fairplay award for the best behaved team in the tournament.

The timing of the competition assumes crucial importance, with members of the Cambodian national team getting in some match practice ahead of their February 6 and February 16 home and away fixtures against Macau in the AFC Challenge Cup.

2011 Samdech Hun Sen Cup team Groupings

BATTAMBANG CENTRE
Group A - Prek Pra Keila, Kon Rithysen, Banteay Meanchey, Mekong Kampuchea University
Group B - Build Bright United, Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, Pailin

KAMPONG THOM CENTRE
Group C - Preah Khan Reach, Preah Vihear, Chhlam Samuth, Kratie
Group D - Phnom Penh Crown, Kampong Thom, Baksey Chamkrong, Neak Khiev

PREY VENG CENTRE
Group E – Chhma Khmao, Western University, Stung Treng, Kandal
Group F - National Defence, Prey Veng, Police Commissary, Life University

TAKEO CENTRE
Group G - Naga Corp, Takeo, Kep, Sihanouk Autonomous Port
Group H - Kirivong Sok Sen Chey, Kampong Speu, Kampot, Koh Kong

The Cambodian junior women’s team (left) – consisting of Sow Sokhim, Phan Sopheak and Veas Sorphon – line up on the podium after claiming silver in the 2nd Asian Aerobic Gymnastic Championships held in Ho Chi Minh City over the weekend. Photo Supplied

THE seven-member Cambodian Aerobic Gymnastics team returned home from the 2nd Asian Championships in Ho Chi Minh City on Sunday with their heads held high after markedly better performances than last year. The squad brought back an individual bronze medal and team silver medals.

The two day event boasted an athletic assembly of 93 gymnasts – including many world championship medalists – from 11 countries such as China, Japan, India and South Korea.

Talented local gymnast Sow Sokhim stayed resolutely in the hunt for medals, before being edged out to the bronze position by decidedly stronger Vietnamese and Mongolian rivals.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian junior women’s team produced their all time best display to pick up a silver medal much to the delight of head coach Noy Phana, who said four years of training together had helped the girls to near perfect coordination and timing.

There was also cheer for the Kingdom in the junior men’s section when Nget Veasna landed an excellent execution score, only for superior performances by Japanese and Vietnamese gymnasts to push him out off the podium into fourth in his debut international event.

For 15-year-old Veas Sarith, the tournament was an eye-opening experience. The teenager came into the championship as a total stranger to sprung wooden floors, and he took time to adjust to the surface.

In the fiercely competitive senior men’s individual category, Sow Sopheng managed good execution and artistic scores, but his difficulty level let him down amongst a field that had ten different countries represented.

The senior men’s team trio of Sopheng, Sarith and Sum Srorn placed eighth out of ten ahead of Vietnam and the Philippines, with Srorn’s injury to his Achilles tendon limiting their effort.

Head coach Noy Phana took promise from the improvements in results.

“Overall I am happy that every competitor managed to score better than last year, and it should boost our morale in next year’s SEA Games in Indonesia where we have a good chance of picking up some medals,” he said.

However, the team is clearly disadvantaged by the absence of an international judge and a sprung floor at their home facility.