RHB Singapore Cup: PP Crown(CAM) v Young Lions

RHB Singapore Cup: Cambodians eye better performance Gary Koh info@sleague.com Phnom Penh Crown are seeking better fortunes at the fourth time of asking when they take on the Young Lions in the RHB Singapore Cup preliminary round clash at Jurong West on Monday evening. It will be a repeat encounter from last year at the same stage, when goals from Isa Halim and Yan Minghao sent the top Cambodian side, previously known as Phnom Penh Empire, out of the competition at Jalan Besar. Since then, the Singaporeans have undergone a squad overhaul for their current domestic campaign, with the majority of the 2008 side, including the scorers then, headed for greener pastures. Thus it will be a new-look Young Lions team that will be taking to the pitch on Monday, with Goh Swee Swee and Gabriel Quak Jun Yi among the few survivors from the matchday squad then. Skipper Obadin Aikhena is unavailable for the match due to a suspension carrying over from last year, when the team finished fourth in the competition. Phnom Penh also went through a team revamp for 2009, with all the foreigners that took part in last year’s game moving to Thai clubs. The local survivors from the side include skipper Thul Sothearith, Chan Rithy, Srey Veasna and Lar Pichseyla, all Cambodian internationals. They will be aided in their bid to progress by three Cameroonians, namely defender Marcel Ensi Modibo, midfielder Oscar Kova Mpoko and forward Jean Roger Lappe Lappe. Phnom Penh come into the encounter fresh from recently winning their domestic cup competition, and are in full strength, except for Nigerian Akeeb Tunji Ayoyinka, who was unavailable for their trip to Singapore. Head coach Apisit Im Amphai remains cautious of his side’s prospects in their participation in the tournament for the fourth year running. “Last year’s Young Lions were a good side; this year, I heard they have some unknowns in the team,” he said. “It will be different for us tomorrow because we will have teamwork on our side. “While we will try our best and our confidence on winning is between 50 to 60 per cent, a draw in 90 minutes is already good enough for us.” Club captain Sothearith concurred with his coach and called on his colleagues to do all they can to overcome the odds as underdogs. “After playing against the Young Lions last year, we know their level, organization and teamplay are much better than us,” added the centreback. “This time, not only must we hope that we will have chance to win, but also be confident in ourselves and believe in our teamwork. “I have faith in the team to do well because our understanding among one another is much better than last year.” Phnom Penh midfielder Rithy, who last scored in the Singapore Cup two years ago against Sengkang Punggol, believes they have what it takes to break the duck this year. “Back in 2007, we had good players could help create chances for the team to score,” he recalled. “Although some of them had moved on, there are others who can help do the same for me. “Football is a game played with 11 players and all my teammates will do their best to score and help me hit the net too.”