Find out if Cambodia has a soccer league
If you are a fan of soccer, you might be curious to know if Cambodia, a Southeast Asian country, has a soccer league of its own. The answer is yes, Cambodia does have a soccer league, and it is called the Cambodian Premier League. In this article, we will give you an overview of the Cambodian Premier League, its history, structure, teams, and achievements.
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What is the Cambodian Premier League?
The Cambodian Premier League (CPL) is the top professional soccer league in Cambodia. It is organized by the Cambodian Football League Company (CFLC), which is affiliated with the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC), the governing body of soccer in Cambodia. The CPL consists of 10 teams that compete for the title every year between August and May. The CPL operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Cambodian League 2, the second-tier league in Cambodia.
History of the Cambodian Premier League
The first domestic soccer championship in Cambodia was established in 1982 during the People's Republic of Kampuchea years. The competing teams were mainly based on state-owned enterprises and institutions. In the 2000s, the league was rebranded as the Metfone Cambodian League or Metfone C-League, thanks to the sponsorship of a telecommunications company. The league became more professional and attracted more corporate sponsors and private clubs. In 2018, the FFC announced that all clubs participating in the league would be required to have access to their own stadium before the start of the 2019 season, as part of the efforts to modernize soccer in Cambodia. In 2021, the CFLC took over the administrative and financial duties of the league and renamed it as the Cambodian Premier League, starting from the 2022 season.
Structure of the Cambodian Premier League
The CPL follows a double round-robin format, where each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away, for a total of 18 matches per season. The team with the most points at the end of the season is crowned as the champion and qualifies for the AFC Cup, the second-tier continental club competition in Asia. The team with the least points is relegated to the Cambodian League 2 and replaced by the champion of that league. The second-last team enters a playoff with the runner-up of the Cambodian League 2 to determine which team stays or moves up to the CPL.
Teams of the Cambodian Premier League
The CPL currently has 10 teams that represent different provinces or cities in Cambodia. The teams are as follows:
- Angkor Tiger FC (Siem Reap)
- Boeung Ket FC (Phnom Penh)
- ISI Dangkor Senchey FC (Phnom Penh)
- Kirivong Sok Sen Chey FC (Takeo)
- Nagaworld FC (Phnom Penh)
- National Football Academy (Phnom Penh)
- Phnom Penh Crown FC (Phnom Penh)
- Prey Veng FC (Prey Veng)
- Tiffy Army FC (Phnom Penh)
- Visakha FC (Phnom Penh)
Achievements of the Cambodian Premier League
The most successful team in the CPL is Phnom Penh Crown FC, which has won eight titles since its inception in 2005. The current champion is Phnom Penh Crown FC, which won its eighth title in 2022. The top scorer in the CPL is Chan Vathanaka, who has scored 154 goals for Boeung Ket FC and Visakha FC. The CPL has also produced some notable players who have represented Cambodia at international level, such as Keo Sokpheng, Prak Mony Udom, Thierry Chantha Bin, and Sou Yaty.
Conclusion
Cambodia does have a soccer league, and it is called the Cambodian Premier League. It is a professional league that features 10 teams from different provinces or cities in Cambodia. It operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the Cambodian League 2. It offers competitive odds, exciting matches, and talented players for soccer fans to enjoy.
FAQs
Q: How can I watch the Cambodian Premier League matches?
A: You can watch the CPL matches on BTV Cambodia, the official broadcaster of the league. You can also follow the live scores and updates on the CPL website or on social media platforms such as Facebook and Twitter.
Q: How can I bet on the Cambodian Premier League matches?
A: You can bet on the CPL matches on various online betting platforms that offer odds and markets for the league. However, you should always gamble responsibly and only bet with licensed and reputable operators.
Q: What are some of the rivalries in the Cambodian Premier League?
A: One of the most intense rivalries in the CPL is between Phnom Penh Crown FC and Boeung Ket FC, which are both based in the capital city and have competed for the title several times. Another rivalry is between Visakha FC and Nagaworld FC, which are both backed by wealthy businessmen and have invested heavily in their squads.