Kingdom of Wonder vs the Thunder Dragons.

Cambodia 2 Bhutan 0
Olympic Stadium 21-8-2015

Bhutan’s alternative to GDP is Gross National Happiness, the country has more than 70% forest cover, and over 100 tigers. They even believe in Yeti's. Cambodia have Hun Sen.

However under the lights of the Olympic Stadium Gross National Happiness was no match for the Angkor Warriors. 

Although Bhutan often looked, comfortably, the most technically competent of the teams - FIFA ranking 164 vs 180 -   Cambodia dominated and created chance after chance. However poor decision-making, nerves, and at time comical finishing all let the Khmer down in the penalty area. Whilst, based on chances, the final score could have been 4 or 5 nil Bhutan were fast and you felt a counter-attacking goal was never far away. That one did not come was a credit to Cambodia and also the voluble and large crowd; less than in the World Cup Qualifiers earlier but a far thing from the echoing emptiness of youth football or even the Metfone C League.

Cambodia played with a 5-3-2 with wing-backs Chiin Chouen (National Defence) and Rous Samoeun (Boueng Ket) providing much of the attacking impetus. The 3 centre-backs were less involved and when Bhutan broke forward looked a little shaky. 

The goals came - one in each half - courtesy of Rous Samoeun and number 14, who showed touches of pace and flair particularly in the second half, Keo Sokpheng (PP Crown). Chances continued coming for Cambodia in the second half - a recurring sight heads-in-hands on the field and in the stands. 

Next up for the Khmer a daunting trip to Saitama to face Japan  - keeping the score to single figures could be a result.

A League of Goals: how many goals in the C League

An analysis of C League goal-scoring

Football is a game of goals but the rarity of goals - the transformative event in a match - is one of the beauties of football. In no other major sport is scoring some rare.

In the worlds top leagues rates of goal-scoring are remarkably consistent - the mean number of goals per match is about 2.5 with around 50% of games having 2 or fewer strikes. The table below shows this information from the top five European leagues last season.

	Goals  Per Match	>2.5 goals	>3.5 goals
EPL	2.57	48%	26%
Italy	2.69	51%	29%
Spain	2.66	48%	27%
France	2.49	45%	24%
Germany	2.75	51%	32%

In ASEAN leagues, as the quality of football declines, the number of goals increases. The table below shows the data from this year from four ASEAN leagues including here in Cambodia.

	Goal Per Match	>2.5 goals	>3.5 goals
Thailand	2.57	46%	24%
Vietnam	2.95	56%	34%
Malaysia	3.1	55%	39%
Cambodia	4	70%	50%

Outside Thailand, which shows patterns very similar to the top European leagues, ASEAN is a region of goals and Cambodia a Kingdom of Goals. More than half the matches in this years Metfone C League have had 4 or more goals - twice the total from the goal-shy Ligue 1. 

The number of goals per team in the C League, with the league mean of 4 indicated and teams organised based on league position,  also shows an interesting pattern:

The teams at the top and bottom of the league have goal-filed games - presumably filling their boots (or getting thrashed) when they meet each other - as epitomised by Boeung Ket's 12-2 victory over bottom side Kirivong. Teams in the middle of the table have less goals in their games with National Police fans seeing just 2.6 goals per game.

The most common score-line this season so far has been a fairly conventional 2-1 (13% of matches) but it is the large number of abnormal score-lines 3-3 or above that causes the C League goal-skew. Eleven games - 14% of matches so far this season -  have had 7 or more goals compared to just 6 (1.6%) in the 2014/2015 English Premier League. In addition to the 12-2 mentioned above we have had a 9-5, a 6-4, 5-3 and more whilst only 4 matches (5%) have finished goal-less.

As, and when, the quality of the C League improves and the gap between teams at the top and teams at the bottom narrows it is likely that the number of goals per game will decrease. For the moment, however, if goals are your thing and matches more resembling basketball games than Catenaccio excite the Cambodian league has something for you,

Goalless at the Western Stadium: Cambodia Tiger 0 - PP Crown 0

Cambodian Tiger 0 - Phnom Penh Crown 0

Western Stadium, 15-8-2015

As many goals at the Western Stadium as there are tigers in Cambodia as Cambodian Tiger forced Phnom Penh Crown to drop their 5th and 6th points of the season. Saturday three o'clock is a sacred time for British football fans and, as if in homage to the home of football, a kick-off at a similar time.

Again a sizeable crowd filling the single stand at Western Stadium. Crown fans to the right, Tiger to the left conducted by their Japanese style tiger-girls.  Crown dominated early on with Dani Kouch marauding down the left touch-line and the champions looking to get into space on the flanks; Shane Booysen and Sary Matnorotin switching between left and right touchlines.

However tiger were resilient and in Japanese Yasuyuki Yoshida they may have the best goal-keeper in the league. In the second half, as tiring legs allowed more space to be exploited by both teams, Yoshida made a couple of excellent saves whilst, in contrast to his opposite number, always looking in command of his penalty area. Crown keeper Yok Ary must be giving the substantial Crown coaching staff some jitters. A Grobbelaar-esque tendency to rush off his line - at least three times relying on sweeper-keeper headers.

Both teams had chances to seal the 3 points Privat Mbarga - a robust and short-tempered number 9 from Cameroon - a wonderful run down the left and a vicious shot just over the bar. Kihara Maskau, Tigers second Japanese starter, small but steely and creating space for this team mates. Tiger look like a team finding their feet and should make the end-of-season play-offs.  

CV11 and the Rubber Men: Western PP 5- Boeungket Angkor 9

1st August at the Western Stadium

Two-three step-overs and a nutmeg. The crowd roar and you tear down the left flank. No matter the possession comes to nothing. Half an hour later you have the match-ball; four goals in one game - all but one a tap-in from great work by your team-mates down the flanks. An incredible 23 goals from 10 games. Welcome to the life of Cambodia's best footballer: CV11 - Chan Vathanaka.

A slight figure, a little tall and gangly. Scruffy (stylish?) hair. He would not look out of place working for Cintri. But a football talent - fast, dynamic, skilful. Getting in the right place at the right time and leading his team to a win by a snooker score. Nine frames to Five.

They may, like many of the teams in the Metfone C League, be funded by a nefarious business but, on the pitch, the Rubber Men are a joy to watch. They average 4.5 goals scored per game and sit atop the league.

The second new shiny stadium for the C League. Western Stadium - a single stand to one side of the artificial pitch. Goals hemmed in by giant nets to prevent wayward shots disappearing into the building sites of a growing capital.

Despite being the home team there was little support for Western; the packed stand full of white and red Boeungket replica shirts. Screaming with delight when CV11 and the equally impressive Khuon Laboravy are on the ball. The best two Cambodians in the Cambodian league. Supported by, probably, the best African in the Cambodian league. Esoh Omogba  sporting a Ballotelli-esque mohican and far to strong and direct for the Western defenders - one goal and two assists for the Nigerian.

Western Phnom Penh have their moments. An attacking trio of the Ghanian Tijani Mohammad, Nigerian Matthew Osas and the C League's Charlie Adam look and play-a-like the Aussie Joshua Maiguire. Maguire sits deep, finding space and imploring - hands to his sides - for the ball. When obtained he tries to initiate attacks and find the roaming Africans.

As the black clouds gather heralding an impending Phnom Penh mega storm four goals and a missed penalty  - the second Boeungket goalkeeper Sou Yaty has saved this season - mark a frantic final 10 minutes. The crowd give up counting the score.

AFF Under 16 Championship

Malaysia 1 - Brunei 0. 31st August Olympic Stadium

If an ASEAN Under 16 Championship match takes place and no-one witnesses it does it count?

In contrast to the large crowd the previous night to see Australia (a new addition to ASEAN clearly) beat the young Khmer 4-0 this is witnessed by an empty stadium in the drizzle.

Not-even the vendors disturbing the cries of the youngsters down below on the artificial turf.

The tournament was meant to be held in Indonesia who have been so naughty they have been thrown out of FIFA. Given that FIFA is not particularly synonymous with virtue one wonders what they have done for this treatment? Drowned puppies? Overseen rampant deforestation? Clearly not the latter if hosting is then awarded to Cambodia.

On-the-pitch the yellow-clad Malay are clearly the stronger side dominating Brunei. Chance after chance but some desperate defending, stout goal-keeping and, above all, poor finishing keep the score 1-0. It is the latter that marks the men from the boys - approaching the final 10% of the pitch inside the penalty area poor decision making and execution.

Brunei even have chances to steal in - breaking away into the vast expanses of the stadium overshadowed by the empty concrete bowl. But a lack of stamina, you feel sorry for the tiring players, prevents them succeeding.

The group standings:

Group A w-d-l-PNTS

Laos 2-1-0 = 7
Malaysia 2-0-1 = 6
Thailand 2-0-1 =6
Vietnam 1-1-1  = 4
East Timor 0-1-2 = 1
Brune 0-1-2 = 1

Group B

Australia 1-0-0 = 3
Singapore 1-0-1 = 3
Cambodia 1-0-1 = 3
Myanmar 1-0-0 = 3
Philippines 0-0-2 = 0

Fixtures at:
http://www.aseanfootball.org/v2/?page_id=20566

The Army at the RSN. Phnom Penh Crown 2 - National Defence 0

Phnom Penh Crown 2 - National Defence 0. 15-7-2015

Again to the RSN stadium and the wastelands of north-west Phnom Penh. Roads more 2005 than 2015. As many cows as Lexus.

A good crowd under the lights, including a sprinkling of away fans, for the visit of Army. National Defence Ministry FC. An anachronism in the developing world of the Metfone C League.

No Facebook site. No web-site and, until this year, no foreign players.

Two started on Wednesday night including the stocky (even chubby) Taku Yanagidate from Japan. The key conduit for most of Army’s attacking play. A regular dribbler and reluctant passer.

Crown started brightly. George Bisan hitting the crossbar but subsequently displaying a clumsy touch – every pass bouncing off his shins in uncontrollable directions.

Both sides attacked down the flanks and both switched their wingers. South African Shane Booysen for Crown and Army’s Cambodian international Chinn Chhoeun as often down the right as the left. It was from the former than Chinn hit a stinging shot which Crown’s goal-keeper, Ary Yok, parried. A tendency to punch rather than catch could be Ary’s downfall in tighter matches.

Two Oriental darter circle the stadium. Globally near-threatened and a rare conservation success story for Cambodia.

By half-time 2-0 to the home team. Two quick goals – Bisan’s 4th of the season from a corner and, on the stroke of half-time, Booysen. In between times a rapid Crown break and an effort from Bisan hacked off the line with the goal-keeper beaten. No goals in the second half, RSN does job lots of goalless halves. 3 points for Crown.

The league increasingly looks like a two horse race between Phnom Penh Crown and Boeung Ket Angkor. The only points that either have dropped this season are against each other.

Western Phnom Penh – also with a new stadium close to Toul Kok – are also performing well – a win this round against Naga World and they are two points behind the joint league leaders.

C League Round 4: Asia Europe 1 - Phnom Penh Crown 6

The worst team in Asia and Europe? Reflections from the RSN Stadium

Asia Europe FC sit bottom of the Cambodian league table. Four games played, no points, 19 goals conceded. Given the apparent standing of Cambodia and their AFC coefficient there is an argument that Asia Europe could be the worst team in Asia. And Europe.

However for 45 minutes under the lights at the RSN stadium they held Phnom Penh Crown, the self-proclaimed leading club in the Kingdom, goalless.

They even had micro-moments of domination spear-headed by the Nigerian attacking duo -9 and 99 -of George Kelechi and Sunday Ayodele. However their serene compatriot, Obion Obadin, patrolling and conducting the high Crown defensive line kept them at bay.

Chances at the other end – Leng Makara through on goal and fell over. Cambodian football does not lack comedy.

However whatever manager Sam Schweingruber said at half-time to Crown, the away team playing at home in another of the pervasities of the Metfone C League, worked. Less than 10 minutes into the second period and 3-0 up.

The left flank always looked the most threatening for Crown – the bright booted and diminutive Sierra Leoneon winger Santige Koroma combining with Keo Sokpheng – and it was from here the first two goals originated. With either great luck or great skill Sokpheng unlocked the defence and scored. Minutes (seconds?) latter Crown added a second, again down the left, through Koroma. The Nigerian George Bisan then headed in from a corner. Three-nill to the football team.

Asia Europe scored one through Kelechi. Had a second disallowed after Crown goal-keeper went walkabout. But Crown dominated, added 3 more goals and secured a win. 10 points from 12 for the champions.

Metfone Cambodia League week 4: National Defence 2-Cambodia Tiger 1

11 July 2014. Old Stadium, Phnom Penh

More red-cards than goals beneath the twin towers of the Old Stadium hemmed in by houses. A relative island of tranquility off the Monivong Roundabout a stone's through from the historic French Embassy and a stadium a relic of the pre-independence era. Today one of the new colonists - Japan - as represented by Cambodian Tiger FC whose club mission, courtesy of Google Translate is the suitably bizarre:

The foundation of the Cambodian terrain that has been filled with red and blue is the color of Cambodia national flag, to draw a heroic figure of tiger is the strength of the symbol on it, I can not express strongly strong club.

In addition, not only in Cambodia, fighting neck and neck and international club, also included a desire produced a player that pops out to the world

Unfortunately, this year, unlikely they will produce a player to pop out to the world. Neither, though, will National Defence who deservedly won an ill-tempered match to rise to a flattering 4th place in the nascent league table. Defence, cheered on by a combination of boozy army veterans and drum-banging adolescents,  took a first half lead courtesy of a scrappy goal turned over the line, inside the six-yard box, by their most distinctive player the stocky (and anonymous for the moment) number 23. Clearly with some skill, and playing just off the front, he, together with left back (Pom Tola?) was the main conduit of National Defence attack. Visibly tiring as the match went on, and glancing some envious eyes at his two team mates who had involuntary early showers, he dropped back in the second half to play a sweeper role.

The main event of the first half, however, was a genuine punch-up between the two sides. Seemingly initiated by an agricultural tackle by a National Defence player punches were thrown and, deservedly, two players show straight reds.

Cambodian Tiger are clearly attempting a professional approach. A website - http://www.cambodian-tiger.com/ - an updated Facebook feed https://www.facebook.com/cambodiantigerfc

We are sorry for today....

We will do our best next game...

Thank you for your support...

And, at half-time, a tiger mascot prowling the sidelines. If only any were left in Cambodia's forests. 

In the second half Cambodian Tiger obtained a man advantage. A rapid break pulled down by the last National Defence defender barely inside their half. A unprofessional professional foul - given their earlier finishing such a one-on-one run seemed unlikely to result in a goal - and a deserved red card. 

However the Tigers lacked the carnivorous instincts of their namesakes to take advantage. 

The rather ineffectual (bar one side-step) Cameroonian Privat Mbarga was removed. Japanese number 50 Kihara Masakazu entered the play: a very low grade Pirlo - pinging optimistic passes across the ground. On the break National Defence grabbed a second - their Japanese export Tatsuta Kazuki with the goal. 

Tigers still pressed and the largest man of the field - for whom size appeared to be his most significant virtue - yet another Japanese Yoshihata Masato headed in from a corner prior to the final red card which equalised proceedings at 9 players each. 

Then came the time-wasting - if the susceptibility to minor knocks of this National Defence 11 represents that of the countries national defence then Preah Vihear is in trouble . A merited 6 minutes of added time but no additional goals.

Three points for the Defence. Cambodian Tiger one win in four.

Elsewhere over at the Tonle Bati National Football Centre a remarkable win for Boeung Ket Angkor 12-2 over Krivong Sok Sen Chey. Eight goals for the genuine star of Cambodian football Chan Vathanaka. Naga World beat CMAC United 3-0 at the same venue.

Todays Fixtures:

Asia Europe University (12th) vs Phnom Penh Crown (3rd). 15h30. RSN Stadium

Build Bright United (5th) vs Police Commissary (8th). 15h30. Old Stadium

Svay Rieng (7th) vs Western Phnom Penh (6th). 18h00. Svay Rieng Stadium.

The current table (courtesy of Sabah.com.kh):