MOTM

Man of the moment, Nov Soseila

If it was up to most Cambodian football fans at the moment, this man would be MOTM in every game. He has set the fans alight with his electrifying pace, his refusal to give up or be intimidated by bigger players, his obvious enjoyment of the game and last night, his match-winning goal. It's Nov Soseila of course, who else. His new nickname in the main stand is 'charlie' after the fast, but very small motorscooter and there's a definite rise in volume whenever he gets the ball. He's exactly the type of player that excites crowds and Scott O'Donell has chanelled his energy back into his game, rather than some of the temper tantrums he displayed at the start of last season's CPL campaign. By the end of the season, Soseila was the pick of the homegrown players and O'Donell had no choice but to select the diminutive wingman, who plays for the Ministry of National Defense. Last night wasn't one of his best games but he scored the all-important second goal and his fleet of foot style enabled him to stick the ball in the net after it rebounded off the post. He was hobbling after the match so I don't expect him to play on Thursday. And having just turned 19 years old he has a great future ahead of him.
Yesterday I also caught up with two of the players who joined the Cambodia U23 squad late in their month-long training camp in Vietnam, after getting the call-up. Both Ieng Piseth and To Vann Thann play for the Defense Ministry team and may get a look-in during Thursday's game though To Vann Thann has been nursing an ankle njury. You may've also noticed that the national team have a new physio, who was with the team in Vietnam and has been dealing with all the knocks and strains that the team have picked up in the BIDC competition. His name is Hay Sakiry and he works at the Teaching Hospital.

To Vann Thann has been nursing an ankle injury the past week

Ieng Piseth is another player with the Ministry of National Defense

Cambodia's new physio, Hay Sakiry