Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Phnom Penh: Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) and hosting club Phnom Penh Crown FC have announced that the hosts are all prepared to organise the AFC President’s Cup Group B matches in Phnom Penh.
As reported in The Phnom Penh Post, hosting club Phnom Penh Crown organized a press conference in conjunction with the FFC to declare their readiness to host the tournament.
“It is our honour to receive the vote of confidence from the Asian Football Confederation on Cambodia’s ability to host this event for the second time,” FFC Vice President Khiev Sameth, who is also the chairman of the organising committee, was quoted by PPP.
David Booth, who led Crown to the final of last year’s President’s Cup, highlighted the youthful exuberance of his squad and vowed to complete the unfinished business that he had last year.
“There is a belief in this team, I am confident that they will perform better than before,” David said.
Crown succumbed to a 3-2 defeat by Chinese Taipei’s Taiwan Power Company in 2011 final.
Reacting after the memorable final in Kaohsiung David had said: "Back home there's a lot of interest obviously as this is the first time any Cambodian club has been in this situation I believe."
"There'll be a lot of people following and hoping that we can do well for Cambodian football. Whatever we've done up to now, whether we win or lose, the fact is that we've put the name of Cambodian football that little step higher and in future competitions, they'll get a little bit more respect from other teams than in the past.
With two clubs getting a ticket for the finals, Crown have to get the better of experienced opponents previous champions Dordoi Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan and finalists Nepal Police Club. Also in the Group are Bhutan’s champions Yeedzin FC.
Crown’s first match is against Yeedzin on Saturday and then they take on Nepal Police Club on Monday. Their last match is against Dordoi Dynamo on May 9. All the Crown matches will be broadcast live in local TV channel. All the matches will be played at the Olympic stadium except the last match between Nepal Police and Yeedzin, which will be played at the Army Stadium in Phnom Penh.
Elsewhere, Pakistan’s KRL Football Club will host Group A in Lahore where defending champions Taiwan Power Company of Chinese Taipei and tournament debutants Erchim FC of Mongolia will join them. The Group C matches amongst FC Istiklol (Tajikistan), Balkan of Turkmenistan and Palestine’s Al Amari Youth Club will take place in Tajikistan.
The top two teams from each group will qualify for the finals to be played from September 24 to 30, 2012 and the hosts of the finals will be announced later.