Coach Leonardo Vitorino of Cambodia has his faith in his team even the young KoupreyBlues will take on ASEAN’s top teams in the upcoming Sea Games that will take place in Malaysia next month.
The draw of the 29th Sea Games Football Men Team was released, and Cambodia U22 have been drawn in Group B alongside ASEAN’s heavy weigh such as Thailand U22, Vietnam U22, and Indonesia U22 and also the underdogs including Timor Leste U22 and Philippines U22. The two teams who are the winner and runner-up in the group stage will advance to the semi-finals of the tournament.
Despite playing tough opposition teams, the Brazilian head coach has no worries, but feels happy as his sides will take it as an opportunity for them to earn international experience before playing for the Senior Team.
Leonardo Vitorino told TheMorning via Messenger: “It’s the Group with the best ASEAN’s teams, so it will be good for us to play against strong teams. Now we don’t have Vathanaka, Keo Sokpheng, Tith Dina, so we will play this competition with our young players such as In Sodavith (17 years old), Sin Kakada (16 years old), Seut Barraing (17 years old), etc. I have confidence in my players, and we will give our best to make it a good tournament for us. But I prefer my players playing against strong teams now so that they can get experience and confidence when they come to the Senior Team.”
“We start our 2023 Project at home, and this is our focus!
“We will not be afraid as this group shows to all that who can qualify [to the semi-finals] will have a big chance to be the Champions.”
Cambodia U22 can progress to the semi-finals only if they can get some points from the matches against Thailand U22, Vietnam U22, and Indonesia U22, while Timor Leste U22 and Philippines U22 won’t be big obstacles to them.
Do you think the young KoupreyBlues can make it into the semi-finals?
Photo of Leonardo Vitorino Courtesy of WE ARE FOOTBALL/Vandy Snapper
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