Football is more than just a game for Khmers supporters
Football is more than just a game. It is a passion, a culture, and a way of life for millions of people around the world. And Cambodia is no exception. In this article, we will explore the popularity of football in Cambodia, the history and achievements of the national team, the development and challenges of the domestic league, and the future prospects and opportunities for the sport in the country. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how football fever is sweeping across Cambodia and why you should join the craze now.
What is the popularity of football in Cambodia?
Football is, without a doubt, the most popular sport in Cambodia. According to a survey by Nielsen Sports in 2018, football is the most watched and followed sport in the country, with 83% of the population interested in it. Football is also the most played sport in Cambodia, with more than 2,000 registered clubs and 40,000 active players across the 25 provinces of the country. Football is especially popular among the youth, who make up more than 60% of the population. Football is seen as a source of entertainment, inspiration, and social cohesion for the young generation, who have grown up in a peaceful and stable environment after decades of war and turmoil.
What is the history and achievements of the national team?
The Cambodia national team, nicknamed the Kouprey, has a long and rich history that dates back to the early 20th century, when the game was introduced by the French colonizers. The team played its first international match in 1956, losing 9-2 to Malaysia at home. The team reached its peak in the 1960s and early 1970s, under the patronage of King Norodom Sihanouk, who was an avid football fan and supporter. The team qualified for the 1972 AFC Asian Cup, where they finished fourth, beating Kuwait 4-0 and drawing with Iran 2-2. The team also won the 1973 President's Cup, sharing the trophy with Myanmar after a goalless draw in the final. The team's star player was Doeur Sokhom, who scored four goals in the 1972 AFC Asian Cup and was regarded as one of the best strikers in Asia at the time.
However, the golden era of Cambodian football came to an abrupt end with the rise of the Khmer Rouge regime, which banned all forms of sports and entertainment, and killed many of the players and officials, including Sokhom. The team was isolated from the international scene for almost two decades, until they returned to the FIFA World Cup qualifiers in 1995. Since then, the team has struggled to regain its former glory, failing to qualify for any major tournaments and languishing at the bottom of the FIFA rankings. The team's best result in recent years was reaching the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, after beating Macau and Pakistan in the first round respectively. The team is currently coached by Ryu Hirose, a Japanese tactician who took over in 2020.
What is the development and challenges of the domestic league?
The domestic league in Cambodia, known as the Metfone Cambodian League, was established in 1982, but was suspended in 1984 due to financial and political problems. The league resumed in 1997, and has been running continuously since then. The league consists of 13 teams, who play each other twice in a round-robin format, followed by a knockout stage for the top four teams. The league is sponsored by Metfone, a Vietnamese telecommunications company, and is organized by the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC), the governing body of football in the country. The league is also supported by FIFA and AFC, who provide funding and technical assistance for its development.
The league has seen a steady improvement in its quality and competitiveness, with more professional and foreign players and coaches joining the teams. The league has also attracted more fans and media attention, with an average attendance of 4,000 spectators per match and live broadcasts on national television and online platforms. The league has also produced some notable players who have gone on to play abroad, such as Chan Vathanaka, who played in Japan and Malaysia, and Thierry Chantha Bin, who played in Thailand and Malaysia.
However, the league still faces many challenges and obstacles, such as the lack of infrastructure, facilities, and resources, the low level of coaching and refereeing, the prevalence of match-fixing and corruption, and the limited exposure and recognition in the region and the world. The league also suffers from the dominance of a few teams, such as Phnom Penh Crown and Boeung Ket, who have won most of the titles and trophies in the past decade.
What are the future prospects and opportunities for football in Cambodia?
Despite the difficulties and drawbacks, football in Cambodia has a bright and promising future, thanks to the passion and potential of the people, especially the youth, who are eager to learn and improve their skills and knowledge of the game. There are also many initiatives and programs that aim to promote and develop football in the country, such as the FIFA Forward Program, which provides financial and technical support for the FFC to improve its governance, infrastructure, and competitions. There is also the AFC Grassroots Charter, which recognizes and rewards the efforts of the FFC to develop grassroots football, especially for children and women. There is also the AFC Dream Asia Foundation, which uses football as a tool for social development and education, especially for the underprivileged and marginalized groups.
Furthermore, there are many opportunities and platforms for Cambodian football to showcase its talent and progress, such as the AFF Suzuki Cup, the ASEAN Football Championship, which Cambodia will co-host with Vietnam in 2021, and the SEA Games, the Southeast Asian Games, which Cambodia will host in 2023. These events will not only boost the profile and prestige of Cambodian football, but also inspire and motivate the players and fans to achieve greater heights and glory.
Conclusion
Football is a sport that has captured the hearts and minds of millions of Cambodians, who have shown their love and support for the game in various ways. Football has also given the country a sense of pride and identity, as well as a source of hope and joy. Football has a long and rich history in Cambodia, as well as a bright and promising future. Football is more than just a game in Cambodia. It is a fever that is spreading across the country. And you can be part of it. Join the craze now and explore the world of Cambodian football.
FAQs
- Is football popular in Cambodia? Yes, football is the most popular sport in Cambodia, with 83% of the population interested in it, according to a survey by Nielsen Sports in 2018. Football is also the most played sport in Cambodia, with more than 2,000 registered clubs and 40,000 active players across the country.
- What is the name of the national team and the domestic league in Cambodia? The national team is called the Kouprey, which is a type of wild ox that is native to Cambodia. The domestic league is called the Metfone Cambodian League, which is sponsored by Metfone, a Vietnamese telecommunications company.
- What are the achievements of the national team and the domestic league in Cambodia? The national team reached the second round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers for Russia 2018 and Qatar 2022, after beating Macau and Pakistan in the first round respectively. The national team also finished fourth in the 1972 AFC Asian Cup and won the 1973 President's Cup. The domestic league has produced some notable players who have played abroad, such as Chan Vathanaka and Thierry Chantha Bin. The domestic league has also seen the rise of some competitive teams, such as Phnom Penh Crown and Boeung Ket.
- What are the challenges and obstacles for football in Cambodia? Some of the challenges and obstacles for football in Cambodia are the lack of infrastructure, facilities, and resources, the low level of coaching and refereeing, the prevalence of match-fixing and corruption, and the limited exposure and recognition in the region and the world.
- What are the prospects and opportunities for football in Cambodia? Some of the prospects and opportunities for football in Cambodia are the passion and potential of the people, especially the youth, who are eager to learn and improve their skills and knowledge of the game, the initiatives and programs that aim to promote and develop football in the country, such as the FIFA Forward Program, the AFC Grassroots Charter, and the AFC Dream Asia Foundation, and the events and platforms that showcase the talent and progress of Cambodian football, such as the AFF Suzuki Cup, the SEA Games, and the AFC Asian Cup.