(From left to right) Phnom Penh Crown's Ty Samnang, Sean Vipha, Heng Siekleng, Ban Cheawai, Poeun Kunthea and In Sreynith. PHNOM PENH CROWN FC
The Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) has officially named the preliminary squad for the Southeast Asian Games’ (SEA Games) Cambodian women’s football team, with 35 players from five league clubs summoned for the multinational meet, as coach Prak Vuthy said it will not be an “easy” journey for the underdogs.
The preliminary lineup released by the FFC on the morning of April 13 shows that 2021 Women's League champions Phnom Penh Crown have fielded the most players, with 13. They are Chea Wai, Chea Faria, Heng Seakleng, In Sreynith, Keat Sieuhang, Kim Chanthet, Mak Sreyroth, Meng Cheamleang, Nhor Sreynet, Poeun Kunthea, Soeun Vipha, Ty Samnang and Vibol Sereysetha.
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, meanwhile, has eight players in the national squad, named as Chan Thin, Chheang Pheap, Chhit Saphoeun, Chhorn Sreynith, Lim Sopha, Mat Saphea, Yoeun Sreynith and Kep Samantha.
Seven players from runners-up NagaWorld Kampong Speu have been summoned for the squad. They are Yun Yeun, Chiep Daneth, Hok Savdy, Sok Ly, Thong Pisey, Van Linda and Chea Samphos.
The remaining players are Jin Soviet, Hea Sreylas, Phoeung Sreyphost, Samreth Nimol and Suy Rasmey of Siem Reap FC, as well as Green Sreybol and Lean Sieu Mean of Boeung Ket FC.
Prak Vuthy, coach of the Cambodian national women's team, said they will start training from April 20 to May 5 and leave for Vietnam on May 6.
“As this training camp is very short and there are no plans for any international warm-up friendlies, we have only prepared by training together [within the team],” he said.
The Cambodian women's team are in the “sudden death” group consisting of hosts Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia. Vuthy noted that host Vietnam and the Philippines teams have qualified for the 2023 World Cup, while Indonesia are also in the qualifying round, so it looks to be “very difficult” for Cambodia to get through this Group A qualifier.
The former coach for Boeung Ket said: “I think it will not be easy for the Cambodian team because Vietnam, the home team, is a strong bunch, while the Philippines won the third place at the 2019 SEA Games. Plus, both teams won their 2023 World Cup Berths, while Indonesia could potentially be stronger than us.”
Cambodia will play their opening match at the Games against the Philippines on the 9th, followed by a meeting with the Indonesian team on the 11th. They will subsequently face defending champion Vietnam on May 14.
