The “Kouprey” – the Kingdom’s national football team – is set to face off against Sri Lanka in a crucial AFC Asian Cup qualifier this afternoon at 5.15pm, Cambodia time.

The match, to be held at the Racecourse International Stadium in the Sri Lankan capital Colombo, is part of the long journey to the 2027 Asian Cup, which will be held in Saudi Arabia.

The Kingdom will host Sri Lanka for the second leg of the qualifiers, at home on September 10.

During a press conference on Wednesday, September 5, Cambodian head coach Felix Dalmas expressed his gratitude to the Sri Lankan hosts for the warm hospitality and comfortable accommodation they have provided to the team. 

The Argentine coach also conveyed his pleasure at the opportunity to steer Cambodia through this important match. 

However, he also warned that he regards this encounter as being akin to facing European-level competition.

Cambodian head coach Felix Dalmas addresses a press conference ahead of this afternoon’s qualifier. Supplied

Despite the ease of the Kouprey’s most recent encounter with the “Golden Army” – a 4-0 victory in a 2016 friendly match at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh – Dalmas noted that his newly-appointed Sri Lankan counterpart Abdullah Almutairi has called up a strong squad, many of whom play in Europe.

“For this match, we are up against a new and different Sri Lankan team. Most of their players ply their trade in Europe, so we cannot compare this team to the one we faced before,” he said.

Three players are set to make their international debuts for Cambodia in this afternoon’s match.

 Mizuno Hikaru of Svay Rieng FC and Mohammed Faeez Khan of Visakha, both defenders who recently obtained Cambodian citizenship, will join mid-fielder Lim Lucca, a seventeen-year-old who plays with New Zealand football club Melville United, as they don the proud colours of the Kingdom for the first time.

In light of this, Dalmas has urged supporters to come out in full force to back the Cambodian team, especially for the home fixture against Sri Lanka on September 10.

He emphasised the importance of fan support, stating, “We need the backing of all our supporters for the upcoming match, as our fans are like a 12th player.”