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Sports
Notes
- Cambodia RIPS GERMANY 6-0 IN
FRIENDLY -
November 2005
James Loving - National Radio Text Service - Wednesday November 2, 2005 Cambodia Slams Germany 6-0 - So Tit Linda Prepares For SEA Games - DID YOU KNOW - Former Cambodian Coach Fickert Returns - NR Top 10 According To Google - FIFA Top 10 CAMBODIA RIPS GERMANY 6-0 IN FRIENDLY No... you didn't lose the plot and YES Cambodia did defeat Germany in a friendly 6-0 Saturday October 29 at Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. The truth of the matter is that Michael Ballick and the boys had something else to do so… what was billed as Cambodia vs. Germany turned out to be Cambodia vs. a low level club team from the land of bee-yah (beer). The result being Blau-Weiss Erfurt provided the competition. Some of the German players did not appear to be in the best of shape. Cambodia's youth, speed and quickness won out over a team that ranged in age from long in the tooth (42) to short on experience (18). The tropic heat played its part in helping wearing the Germans down early as they conceded the first goal in the 17th minute when Hok Schivorn the brother of Hok Sochetra blasted one home. Veteran national team member Sam El Nasa rocketed in a hat trick before half-time being on target in the 20, 23 and 39th minutes helping his squad take a 4-0 lead into the break. When time resumed Nasa didn't wait long before springing back into action as he blasted in his fourth goal in the 46th minute. The team captain exited the match in the 77th minute with his side owning a commanding 5-0 advantage. Hang Sokunthea registered the Khmers sixth goal in the 66th minute. Surprisingly the game drew a larger crowd than the 6,000 fans we estimated for the Singapore game two weeks earlier. Again fans came streaming into the stadium throughout the first half building up to what appeared to be a crowd approaching 7,000 reflecting the Khmers interest in the sport. It was a good run for the Khmer's U-23 side in preparation for the SEA Games football matches in Bacalod, Philippines at the end of the month. After the game Cambodian coach Scott O'Donell repeated the same thoughts as he did after the game with Singapore noting the team played better in the first half, he also enjoyed the six goals.
"It builds confidence scoring goals… putting it into the back of the net," he said Being positive was on the menu with the result being the team had a run with some sort of competition whereas in the past they had virtually none. But… It was time for a reality check. It was pointed out that the German competition was slow to which O'Donell responded in a humorous way by saying, "It is exactly the opposite of what we'll be facing (the SEA Games U-23 sides)." When O'Donell came on board as the national coach at the beginning of August he converted Nasa into a striker. In the past Nasa was a defender turned midfielder. So the question is…. WHY!!!! make Nasa a striker? "He's got pace and can finish," the coach pointed out. "He has a great engine." With that I was then informed that when one is referred to as having a great engine that means you've got a great aerobically fit body. "He can run all day and that's unusual," the 38-year-old Australian added. O'Donell was somewhat annoyed about criticism towards the squad after suffering a 2-0 defeat at the hands of Singapore by countering that the side Singapore coach Radojko Avra Movia brought included several members of the senior team that won the Tiger Cup. The coach is pleased about the support the CFF (Cambodian Football Federation) is giving the team. He said the squad took a trip to the Cambodian beach resort town of Sihanoukville for some R&R (rest & relaxation) the prior weekend. He also noted that CFF paid for the trip.. While in Shianoukville CFF president Ravy Khek visited the them.. He then noted that the day before the Germany game the team went bowling, "Some have never been," he exclaimed. O'Donell went on the say that things like this are team and morale builders that it helps bring the squad together. Call it a miracle, call it what you will but since O'Donell arrived in Cambodia the team has had more activity and competition during his three months at the helm than they had throughout the past four years. As O'Donell previously said you could only get better when you play good competition, in the case of Germany it's a situation of any competition is better than no competition at all. NOTES: Former Cambodian coach Joachim Fickert was in attendance. The German was in town to visit former players and friends. Sou Tit Linda the 100-meter track star that competed at the age of 16 in last years Olympics in Greece is preparing for the SEA Games. Linda's only competition since that time was in for the World Championships in Helsinki. Linda's coach Chay Kim San said that she didn't win her heat but improved on her Olympic time of 13:47 to 13:45 in Helsinki. The Olympic scoreboard was working. Too bad that it wasn't functioning for the Singapore game but praise to the powers that be for getting the job done. Germany will play the Cambodian Premiere League champions Khemera at Olympic stadium Saturday November 5 at 6:30pm. That must mean the lights will be working. Let us bow our heads and pray. Stay tuned on this one and check the day of the game for the possibility of a time change. NR's TOP 10 According to Google National Radio's Top 10 stories are: (1) Jim Murray, (2) Royal Palace (3) NBA Trivia, (4) Michael Jordan (5) Jerry West Builds Memphis (6) Freshie Boy & Girl Contest (7) OOPS FAT Did It Again (8) ASEAN Games (9) Cambodian Football (10) Angkor Wat Past Most Mentioned: (1) Walter Payton, (2) Marshall Faulk (3) Barry Bonds (4) Digital Divide Data. FIFA TOP TEN Rank/Team/Points 1. Brazil - 840 2. Netherlands - 797 3. Czech Republic - 783 Argentina - 778 4. Argentina - 778 5. France - 776 6. Mexico - 769 7. USA - 768 8. Spain - 764 9. Portugal - 754 9. England - 754 The next FIFA World Ranking will be published on 23 November 2005 PREVIOUS RATINGS 1. Brazil - 837 2. Argentina - 782 3. Netherlands - 780 4. Czech Republic - 777 5. Mexico - 770 6. USA - 768 7. England - 743 8. Spain - 739 9. France - 737 9. Portugal - 737 © Copyright: National Radio. Any use of these materials, whole or in part, is prohibited unless authorized in writing by National Radio. Contact: nationalradio@yahoo.com |
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