Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng’s player (right) runs to the ball under pressure from Nagaworld’s player during the Cambodian Premier League match on Saturday 2 April. PREAH KHAN REACH SVAY REING
The leaders of the 2022 Cambodian Premier League table – Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng – claim they are focused on welcoming the Angkor Tiger for this Saturdays match and the chance to grab 3 points, while two of the other fixtures are sure to be tense affairs. Boeung Ket, meanwhile, can be expected to take a win this weekend.
Despite Svay Rieng remaining unbeaten to stand on atop the table after earning 13 points from their five matches thus far, head coach Conor Nestor says his team still has some areas that need improvement to seal this weekend’s win, following a 1-1 draw with Nagaworld last weekend.
The Irish coach remarked on the importance of this week’s game, saying: “This match will be very competitive because both teams will be prepared to fight for the three points. There were several takeaways from our match with Nagaworld, both good and bad.”
“We will review the game and try to develop the areas I thought we were weak in. We will prepare for the Tigers game, and focus on the three points that are at stake,” Nestor added.
Nonetheless, the Angkor Tigers are very competitive and have been performing well recently. Although the Siem Reap-based club has just announced they are parting ways with Japanese player Naoki Maeda – due to a serious knee injury sustained in the season opener against Boeung Ket on 16 February – defeating Tiffy Army 5-4 last week provided a significant boost to the Tigers’ confidence and momentum.
Head coach Alistair Heath acknowledged that his team is still developing.
“We are a team that is learning and developing together, which requires patience and time, but one thing that is always with us is the fight, the purpose and the spirit,” he said after the victory.
Phnom Penh Crown will welcome NagaWorld to Smart RSN Stadium on Saturday.
Although Crown beat NagaWorld 1-0 in the second leg in 2021 after a first leg draw, Naga have had stronger performances this season. They have won three matches, drawn one, and suffered just one loss. Crown, in comparison could not find a win until last weekend, suffering two defeats and two draws in the first four matches.
However, last week’s 6-1 thrashing of Kirivong Sok Sen Chey shows that the Red Singha are back on track and seem to regained their momentum. NagaWorld will have to fight hard if they want to hold Phnom Penh Crown’s rising ambitions at bay. The Nagas only managed to sneak a 2-1 result over Kirivong Sok Sen Chey in a very close match, so the meeting between the two teams will be very tense.
Meanwhile, Boeung Ket, currently lying third in the table with 9 points, look to have a clearer chance at a win in this weekend’s match at Cambodia Airways Stadium, as they meet the winless Kirivong.
The meeting between the Tiffy Army and Visakha will also be tense. However, Visakha manager Tep Longrachna said he hoped his team’s rich player resources – and especially the high quality of their foreign players – would be enough to give them the win.
Saturday’s Fixtures:
PKR Svay Rieng v Angkor Tiger (Svay Rieng Stadium) 6:30 pm
Boeung Ket v Kirivong (Cambodia Airways Stadium) 3:45 pm
Tiffy Army v Visakha (Old Stadium) 6:30 pm
Phnom Penh Crown v NagaWorld (Smart RSN Stadium) 6:30 pm
