Cambodia defeated by Nepal leaving fans to call for Lee's head

Cambodia SEA games bound team

Cambodia's National U-23 Team yesterday suffered a 1-0 defeat to Nepal in their build up to the 26th SEA games in Indonesia. This defeat comes on the back of their failure to defend the BIDC Cup won in 2009 as they also fell to Thailand 2-1 in the semi finals of the 2011 BIDC cup thus putting pressure on the embattled Korean Coach Tae Hoon Lee
Cambodia's lack luster performance against Nepal saw them loosing to an 85th minute goal by Nepal Number 9 Santhosh Shanhukhala.

Cambodia welcome Nepal before kickoff

The match kicked off at about 6pm with only a paltry fans compared to previous national team games on the stands.

Cambodia barely had any shot at goal in the first half having to defend most of the time to stop the ravaging Nepalese Side. Coach Lee had to substitute striker Sok Phen by bringing on Tum Saray hoping to add bite to the Cambodia Attack but it was a futile attempt as the half ended goal less.

The second half saw the Cambodians pushing forward hoping to get a goal but poor marksmanship on the part of Skipper Khoun Laboravy and Phoung Soksana denied the host of any chance of breaking the dock.

On the other end, Cambodia has Goalkepper Sou Yaty to thank for keeping the scores low as the Army Goalkeeper once again proved why he is the best between the post in the country for now.

With 5 minutes left on the clock in regulation time, Nepal pushed forward and gave the hosts a heart break as Santhosh who had all along been a threat to the Cambodian defense finally found the back of the net to give the Napalese something to cheer. It came from a quickly-taken corner kick by Rabin Shrestha and found Cambodia disorganized and looking at each other for someone to blame. They were all guilty.

Efforts by Cambodia to find the equalizer even as Centre referee Thong Chanketya gave a 5 minutes added on time was warded off by the Napalese to end the tie 1-0 in favour of the visitors. In fairness they deserved their win being the better side on the night.

The Nepalese Side that beat Cambodia 1-0 in the international Friendly

The result left many fans wondering what would be the faith of the Cambodian Team in the SEA games which is due to kick off in barely 10 days time as Cambodia has been drawn into what is now regarded as the group of death.

Cambodia will face, Host Indonesia in the opening Game of the SEA games on 7th November before taking on Malaysia, Thailand and Singapore.

Fans are now calling for the head of the Korean Coach. "Change coach is the best way to improve" a Cambodia fan Rith Chou wrote on his Facebook Wall. Another Fan Piseth Gentlelove wrote "Nothing to say...just want to tell Lee must go.....we dont need Coach like him anymore...."

Meanwhile renowned football writer and critic of coach Lee, Andy Brouwer wrote on his blog "The whole team looked tired, listless and lethargic, which is a real concern with a major competition just around the corner"

He however offered Lee advise to help his team solve the striking problems. "Lee needs to take a look outside his squad and pick the most proven international goalscorer in the country, Khim Borey, who should be on the plane to Jakarta" Brouwer noted.

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