Cambodia national football team

The Cambodia national association football team is the men's national football team that represents Cambodia in association football. It is affiliated with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the regional ASEAN Football Federation (AFF). The team was founded in 1954 and is administered by the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC).[8]

Cambodia
Nickname(s)Kouprey[1]
AssociationFFC
ConfederationAFC (Asia)
Sub-confederationAFF (Southeast Asia)
Head coachFélix Dalmás[2][3]
CaptainSoeuy Visal
Most capsSoeuy Visal (79)
Top scorerHok Sochetra (20)[4]
Home stadiumMorodok Techo National Stadium
Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium
FIFA codeCAM
First colours
Second colours
FIFA ranking
Current 180 Decrease 1 (20 June 2024)[5]
Highest154
Lowest201 (August 2014)
First international
 Malaya 9–2 Cambodia 
(Kuala Lumpur, Malaya; 17 March 1956)[6]
Biggest win
 Cambodia 8–0 North Yemen 
(Phnom Penh, Cambodia; 29 November 1966)
Biggest defeat
 Iran 14–0 Cambodia 
(Tehran, Iran; 10 October 2019)
Asian Cup
Appearances1 (first in 1972)
Best resultFourth place (1972)

History

Beginning of an era

Cambodia formed its first national team following the end of French colonization in 1954. Immediately following the end of French colonialism, Cambodia played its first home game against Malaya in 1956.[9] The game ended with a 9–2 win for the Malays.[10]

The Khmer Republic team won fourth place at the 1972 AFC Asian Cup.

Like most Asian countries at the time, Cambodia did not seek to participate in the FIFA World Cup qualification nor even AFC Asian Cup qualification, as the country was still trying to consolidate its early football development. However, when Lon Nol decided to topple the Cambodian Kingdom and replaced by a Republic, Cambodia finally decided to participate in the 1972 AFC Asian Cup qualification. The Cambodians managed to qualify for the 1972 AFC Asian Cup in its first qualification attempt, a major success up to date. Cambodia managed to win over Hong Kong, which sent the country to Thailand.[11]

In the tournament as Khmer Republic, the Cambodians lost to Iran and had to play in group B along with South Korea and Kuwait. Despite early loss to the South Koreans, they had qualified to the semi-finals thanked for a resounding 4–0 win over Kuwait, only got beaten later by Iran, again, and Thailand, and won the 4th place overall. It remains as Cambodia's greatest achievement in an international tournament.[12][13]

Following the success, Cambodia could not participate in further tournaments, due to the eventual rise of the Khmer Rouge.

1990s to 2010s

After decades of war, in which witnessed both Khmer Rouge's genocide and the later Vietnamese invasion which toppled the Khmer Rouge, Cambodia returned to international football in 1993. Cambodia's first tournament as a new team was the 1996 AFF Championship, in which Cambodia was defeated in all four matches. In this tournament, although Cambodia was the weakest among all teams participating in the tournament, Cambodia demonstrated high spirit of football. However, in successive tournaments, Cambodia was not successful and they could not manage to play with high spirits as it used to be. Despite this, Cambodia still gave birth to what would one of Cambodia's football talents in its young history, Hok Sochetra.[14][15]

Also during this time, Cambodia sent its national team to the 1998 FIFA World Cup qualification, the first time Cambodia had ever done so. However, Cambodia had been unsuccessful by large, and often got eliminated in the bottom of their group. The country also withdrew from participating in the 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification. Likewise, Cambodia also only participated in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualification, before withdrew from 2004 and 2007 qualification attempts. The country later suffered AFF Championship drought, failing to qualify for three consecutive tournaments.[16]

2010s and 2020s

Cambodia's starting line-up in the 3–1 win against Laos at the 2018 AFF Championship group stage.[17]

Cambodia's football has witnessed resurgence after decades being under shadows. The resurgence of Cambodia had begun with the arrival of South Korean Lee Tae-hoon, who had introduced a significant development of football in the country, with the change of its tactics, as well as youth development and promotion of Cambodian youngsters to the national team, has given hopes of change. At this team, the team has a lot of young talents, notably Chan Vathanaka, the first ever Cambodian to play professional football outside Cambodia, and the fanbase increased as for the achievement. Cambodia once again demonstrated a full spirit of football, despite during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying stage, they didn't win and also missed out the 2012 and 2014 AFC Challenge Cups, thus missing out in the 2015 AFC Asian Cup.[18]

During 2019 AFC Asian Cup qualification, Cambodia finished bottom in a group where they suffered losses to Jordan and neighbour Vietnam. Despite this, Cambodia has managed what could be the country's greatest achievement in their qualification history, when they defeated Afghanistan, ranked 158 in that time, above Cambodia which was ranked 174, and had already defeated Cambodia twice in the World Cup qualification, 1–0 at home. It was the country's only win in the qualification and is still regarded to be Cambodia's best performance in its modern football history.[19]

Following its failure to qualify for the 2019 AFC Asian Cup, Cambodia participated in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification first round where it beat Pakistan 4–1 on aggregate over two legs to reach the second round[20] being drawn with Hong Kong, Bahrain, Iraq and Iran. On 5 September 2019 in the first fixture, Cambodia obtained a 1–1 draw at home to Hong Kong, 5 days later, it lost against Bahrain 1–0.

Keisuke Honda served as Cambodia's head coach from 2018 to 2023.

In August 2020, Félix Dalmás left their post after completing their contract while on 7 April 2021, fellow countrymen, Ryu Hirose was unveiled as the new head coach of the Cambodia taking the team whenever manager Keisuke Honda is unavailable. Hirose task is to guide Cambodia for the remaining matches of the second round qualifiers of the FIFA 2022 World Cup qualification. Cambodia went on to undergo 2 defeats to Iran, their worst ever defeat, 14–0 on 10 October 2019 and then 10–0 on 11 June 2021 seeing Cambodia picking up a solitary point in its group.[21][22]

Honda and Hirose would left the national team following 2022 AFF Championship exit. Dalmás would be re-appointed again as the head coach. On the first round of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification, Cambodia were drawn against Pakistan again like in the previous qualification. However Cambodia failed to qualify to the second round this time, as they were defeated 1–0 on aggregate.

In 2024, FIFA invited Cambodia to the 2024 FIFA Series tournament held in Jeddah where they faced CAF continent Equatorial Guinea and CONCACAF continent Guyana but lost 2–0 and 4–1 respectively.

Cambodia was then placed in the 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification play-off round where they would face Sri Lanka in September 2024.

Team image

From 2010 to 2022, the home kit was a blue and black shirt with black shorts and blue socks; while the original away kit was all white with a series of horizontal red stripes on the shirt. FBT sponsored this version of the kit.[23]

On May 27, 2022, the team announced its new kit collection. The Khmer sportswear company, Varaman established in February 2022 sponsored them with designs by HCD football agency Clan United. The designs are based upon the flag of Cambodia, with the blue and red tones from the flag featured along with a pattern made from pixelated images of Angkor Wat. The 2022 home shirt uses a 3 toned blue digital camouflage design. The away shirt is all white fabric, with a zoomed in section of the pattern decorated in faint blue and red tones whilst being separated by patterns and shapes. To match each set, the goalkeeper kits are red and blue for home and away respectively. The repeated element is "slightly off-coloured" from the base fabric. The training kits are blue, red, and white with a graffiti styled pattern on each.[24]

ProviderPeriodRef
FBT2010–2022[23]
Varaman2022–[24]

Stadiums

Cambodia's home stadium is the Morodok Techo National Stadium with a capacity of 75,000, and associated facilities, was anticipated to be used to facilitate international friendly matches and regional qualifiers which was opened in August 2021 while their former home ground, the National Olympic Stadium will be second in line to host international matches.[25][26][27]

Cambodia national football team home stadiums
ImageStadiumCapacityLocationLast match
Morodok Techo National Stadium75,000Yongphat St., Phnom Penhv    Brunei(29 December 2022; 2022 AFF Championship)
National Olympic Stadium50,000Sangkat Boeng Prolit, Phnom Penhv    Mongolia(7 June 2024; Friendly)

Results and fixtures

The following is a list of match results in the last 12 months, and future matches that have been scheduled.

  Win  Draw  Loss  Fixture

2023

v  Hong Kong
7 September 2023 Friendly Cambodia  1–1  Hong Kong Phnom Penh, Cambodia
19:00 UTC+7Sophanat 90'ReportEverton 21'Stadium: National Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 35,000
Referee: Clifford Daypuyat (Philippines)
v  Macau
11 September 2023 Friendly Cambodia  4–0  Macau Phnom Penh, Cambodia
19:00 UTC+7
ReportStadium: National Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 30,000
Referee: Hoàng Ngọc Hà (Vietnam)
v  Pakistan
12 October 2023 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification first round AFC Cambodia  0–0  Pakistan Phnom Penh, Cambodia
19:00 UTC+7ReportStadium: National Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 11,718
Referee: Baraa Aisha (Palestine)
v  Cambodia
17 October 2023 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification first round AFC Pakistan  1–0
(0–1 agg.)
 Cambodia Islamabad, Pakistan
14:00 UTC+5
ReportStadium: Jinnah Sports Stadium
Attendance: 9,562
Referee: Feras Taweel (Syria)
v  Cambodia
31 December 2023 Unofficial Friendly Qatar  3–0  Cambodia Al Rayyan, Qatar
18:00 UTC+3
  • Ali 12', 20', 43'
Report
Stadium: Thani bin Jassim Stadium
Attendance: 0
Referee: Mahmood Al-Majarafi (Oman)

2024

v  Cambodia
26 March 2024 FIFA Series Guyana  4–1  Cambodia Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
22:00 UTC+3
ReportStadium: Prince Abdullah Al-Faisal Sports City
Referee: Faisal Suleiman Al-Balawi (Saudi Arabia)
v  Mongolia
7 June Friendly Cambodia 2–0  Mongolia Phnom Penh, Cambodia
18:00 UTC+7
Stadium: Phnom Penh Olympic Stadium
Attendance: 15,266
Referee: Warinthon Sassadee (Thailand)
v  Cambodia
11 June Friendly Mongolia  2–1  Cambodia Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
17:00 UTC+8
Stadium: MFF Football Centre
Referee: Tam Ping Wun (Hong Kong)

Coaching staff

PositionName
Head coach Félix Dalmás[28]
Team manager Sambath Kunpiteak
Assistant coach Chhouk Piseth
Lay Raksmey
Ouk Sothy[29][30]
Goalkeeper coach Toshihiro Mitsumaru[31]
Fitness coach Stephen Corner
Video analyst Shinya Kizaki
Performance director Taichi Oshita
Doctor Aum Puthi[32]
Physiotherapist Hun Penglong[33]
Nay Chankdeb[33]

Coaching history

Updated 22 April 2024, after the match against  Guyana.

NamePeriodMatchesWinsDrawsLosses
Vladimír Mirka1965 – 1967
Joachim FickertJune 1996 – January 2003
Som Saran2003 – June 20054004
Scott O'DonnellJuly 2005 – December 2007152310
Yoo Kee-heungDecember 2007 – July 20082101
Prak SovannaraJuly 2008 – May 200912318
Scott O'DonnellJune 2009 – August 20100000
Lee Tae-hoonAugust 2010 – May 201210325
Hok SochetraJuly 2012 – October 20125014
Prak SovannaraDecember 2012 – September 20132002
Lee Tae-hoonSeptember 2013 – March 20173513220
Kazunori Ohara (Interim)April 20154112
Leonardo VitorinoMarch 2017 – October 20177106
Prak Sovannara (Interim)October 2017 – August 20184103
Félix Dalmás[34]August 2018 – August 2020163310
Keisuke Honda[35][36][a]August 2018 – January 2023349421
Ryu Hirose[37][3]March 2021 – January 2023186111
Félix Dalmás[37][3]March 2023 –10226

Players

Current squad

The following 23 players were selected for friendly game matches against  Mongolia on 11 June 2024.

Caps and goals updated as of 12 June 2024, after the match against  Mongolia.

No.Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClub
11GKHul Kimhuy (2000-04-07) 7 April 2000 (age 24)180 Visakha
211GKVireak Dara (2003-10-30) 30 October 2003 (age 20)10 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
221GKUm Vichet (1990-11-27) 27 November 1990 (age 33)70 Phnom Penh Crown

32DFPhach Socheavila (2000-11-19) 19 November 2000 (age 23)40 Phnom Penh Crown
42DFChhom Pisa (1995-03-03) 3 March 1995 (age 29)50 Phnom Penh Crown
132DFSareth Krya (1996-03-03) 3 March 1996 (age 28)291 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
162DFYeu Muslim (1998-12-25) 25 December 1998 (age 25)160 Phnom Penh Crown
192DFChea Chandara (1999-08-05) 5 August 1999 (age 24)40 Nagaworld
202DFSin Sophanat (1997-04-20) 20 April 1997 (age 27)101 Visakha
242DFHout Vanneth (2004-04-12) 12 April 2004 (age 20)10 Nagaworld

53MFKim Sokyuth (1999-06-21) 21 June 1999 (age 24)30 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
63MFYudai Ogawa (1996-10-04) 4 October 1996 (age 27)71 Phnom Penh Crown
83MFOrn Chanpolin (1998-03-15) 15 March 1998 (age 26)381 Phnom Penh Crown
233MFThierry Chantha Bin (Captain) (1991-06-01) 1 June 1991 (age 33)503 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
273MFNop David (2000-07-18) 18 July 2000 (age 23)10 Boeung Ket

74FWLim Pisoth (2001-08-29) 29 August 2001 (age 22)212 Phnom Penh Crown
94FWSieng Chanthea (2002-09-09) 9 September 2002 (age 21)346 Boeung Ket
104FWMat Noron (1998-06-17) 17 June 1998 (age 26)140 Boeung Ket
114FWNhean Sosidan (2002-10-11) 11 October 2002 (age 21)80 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
144FWNick Taylor (1998-09-02) 2 September 1998 (age 25)131 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
174FWSa Ty (2002-04-04) 4 April 2002 (age 22)121 Visakha
184FWPhan Sophen (2000-10-13) 13 October 2000 (age 23)50 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
294FWChantha Chanteaka (2000-09-29) 29 September 2000 (age 23)50 Boeung Ket

Recent call-ups

The following players have been called up within the last 12 months.

Pos.PlayerDate of birth (age)CapsGoalsClubLatest call-up
GKKeo Soksela (1997-08-01) 1 August 1997 (age 26)220 Visakhav.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
GKKim Chanveasna (2002-10-24) 24 October 2002 (age 21)00Free agentv.  Macau, 11 September 2023

DFNu Chenmakara (2002-05-01) 1 May 2002 (age 22)00 Angkor Tigerv.  Mongolia, 7 June 2024
DFTaing Bunchhai (2002-12-28) 28 December 2002 (age 21)20 Boeung Ketv.  Mongolia, 7 June 2024
DFKem Vanda (1999-11-06) 6 November 1999 (age 24)20 ISI Dangkor Sencheyv.  Guyana, 26 March 2024
DFSoeuy Visal (Captain) (1995-08-19) 19 August 1995 (age 28)795 Preah Khan Reach Svay Riengv.  Guyana, 26 March 2024
DFChoun ChanchavINJ (1999-05-05) 5 May 1999 (age 25)172 Phnom Penh Crownv.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
DFTes Sambath (2000-10-20) 20 October 2000 (age 23)160 Visakhav.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
DFOuk Sovann (1998-05-15) 15 May 1998 (age 26)130 Visakhav.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
DFChhong Bunnath (1998-11-28) 28 November 1998 (age 25)30 Nagaworldv.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
DFKan PisalINJ (1998-08-09) 9 August 1998 (age 25)40 Boeung Ketv.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
DFCheng Meng (1998-02-27) 27 February 1998 (age 26)290 Visakhav.  Macau, 11 September 2023

MFVann Tailamey (1999-04-02) 2 April 1999 (age 25)30 Boeung Ketv.  Mongolia, 7 June 2024
MFKong Lyhour (2003-08-05) 5 August 2003 (age 20)30 Visakhav.  Mongolia, 7 June 2024
MFSos Suhana (1992-04-04) 4 April 1992 (age 32)763 Nagaworldv.  Guyana, 26 March 2024
MFKouch Dani (1990-10-11) 11 October 1990 (age 33)100 Preah Khan Reach Svay Riengv.  Guyana, 26 March 2024
MFMin Ratanak (2002-07-30) 30 July 2002 (age 21)50 Preah Khan Reach Svay Riengv.  Guyana, 26 March 2024
MFLong Phearath (1998-01-07) 7 January 1998 (age 26)30 Phnom Penh Crownv.  Qatar, 31 December 2023
MFSin Kakada (2000-07-29) 29 July 2000 (age 23)90 Visakhav.  Qatar, 31 December 2023
MFLim Aarun Raymond (2003-06-25) 25 June 2003 (age 20)00 Tiffy Armyv.  Qatar, 31 December 2023
MFKouch Sokumpheak (1987-02-15) 15 February 1987 (age 37)697 Nagaworldv.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
MFSin Sovannmakara (2004-12-06) 6 December 2004 (age 19)40 Visakhav.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
MFChea Vesly (1998-11-05) 5 November 1998 (age 25)00 Boeung Ketv.  Macau, 11 September 2023
MFIn Sodavid (1998-07-02) 2 July 1998 (age 25)170 Visakhav.  Macau, 11 September 2023

FWSor Rotana (2002-10-09) 9 October 2002 (age 21)100 Visakhav.  Guyana, 26 March 2024
FWKhoan Soben (2004-10-19) 19 October 2004 (age 19)30 Kirivong Sok Sen Cheyv.  Qatar, 31 December 2023
FWReung Bunheing (1992-09-25) 25 September 1992 (age 31)195 Visakhav.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
FWChan Vathanaka (1994-01-23) 23 January 1994 (age 30)5219 Boeung Ketv.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023
FWPrivat Mbarga (1992-01-07) 7 January 1992 (age 32)00 Bali Unitedv.  Pakistan, 17 October 2023

INJ Withdrew due to injury
PRE Preliminary squad / standby
RET Retired from the national team
SUS Serving suspension
WD Withdrew due to non-injury issue.

Previous squads

Player records

As of 26 March 2024[38]
Players in bold are still active with Cambodia.

Most appearances

RankPlayerCapsGoalsCareer
1Soeuy Visal7952014–present
2Sos Suhana7632012–present
3Kouch Sokumpheak7372006–present
4Keo Sokpheng62152015–2022
5Prak Mony Udom60112011–2021
6Chhin Chhoeun5642011–2018
7Khoun Laboravy55122008–2018
8Chan Vathanaka52192013–present
9Thierry Bin4832015–present
10Sam El Nasa46112000–2011

Top goalscorers

RankPlayerGoalsCapsRatioCareer
1Hok Sochetra20260.771995–2002
2Chan Vathanaka19520.372013–present
3Keo Sokpheng15620.242015–2022
4Khoun Laboravy12550.222008–2018
5Sam El Nasa11460.242000–2011
Prak Mony Udom11600.182011–2021
7Khim Borey10280.362007–2015
8Kouch Sokumpheak7730.12006–present
9Sieng Chanthea6320.192019–present
10Sok Chanraksmey5100.52013–2016
Reung Bunheing5190.262018–present
Chan Rithy5250.22002–2011
Soeuy Visal5790.062014–present

Competitive record

FIFA World Cup

FinalQualification
YearRoundPldWDLGFGA
1954 to 1994Did not enter
1998Did not qualify6015227
20026015222
2006Did not enter
2010Did not qualify200215
2014210168
201810118528
202210217645
2026201101
2030To be determined
2034
Total0/1838452922136

AFC Asian Cup

FinalQualification
YearRoundPositionPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1956Did not qualify2101511
1960WithdrewWithdrew
1964
1968Did not qualify320142
1972Fourth place4th4112810521288
1976Did not enterDid not enter
1980
1984
1988
1992
1996
2000Did not qualify4004419
2004Did not enterDid not enter
2007
2011Did not qualifyAFC Challenge Cup
2015
20191832131247
202313229852
2027
Total5113810451053041139

AFC Challenge Cup

Final
YearRoundPldWDLGFGA
2006Group stage310246
2008Did not qualify
2010
2012
2014
Total310246

AFF Championship

Final Qualification
YearRoundPosPldWDLGFGAPldWDLGFGA
1996Group stage9th4004112No qualification
1998Did not qualify201114
2000Group stage7th4103510No qualification
20027th4103518
200410th4004222
2007Did not qualify412175
2008Group stage7th3003212421198
2010Did not qualify312042
20124004312
2014420266
2016Group stage8th300348330083
20188th410349Qualified automatically
20207th4103611
20226th4202108
Total34602839110249693840

Head-to-head record

Last match updated was against  Mongolia on 11 June 2024.[39][40]

Including results from Khmer Republic.

Key
More wins than losses
As many wins as losses
Fewer wins than losses
OpponentFirstLastPldWDLGFGAGDConfederation
 Afghanistan20152022511348−4AFC
 Australia196519651010000AFC
 Bahrain20192021200209−9AFC
 Bangladesh20062023601527−5AFC
 Bhutan20152015110020+2AFC
 Brunei1997202296212710+17AFC
 China196320016006324−21AFC
 Chinese Taipei196420164211660AFC
 Equatorial Guinea20242024100102−2CAF
 Guam20062021430163+3AFC
 Guinea19651965100112−1CAF
 Guyana20242024100114−3CONCACAF
 Hong Kong1957202392261022−12AFC
 India196420225104517−12AFC
 Indonesia196520222523201792−75AFC
 Iran197220214004128−27AFC
 Iraq20192021200218−7AFC
 Japan197020154004110−9AFC
 Jordan20172017200208−8AFC
 Kuwait19721972110040+4AFC
 Kyrgyzstan20072011200268−2AFC
 Laos19712021178363024+6AFC
 Lebanon19981998100115−4AFC
 Macau200820237511187+11AFC
 Malaysia1195620223043232991−62AFC
 Maldives200120164013314−11AFC
 Mongolia20192024311143+1AFC
 Myanmar195720182022161358−45AFC
   Nepal20082008100101−1AFC
 North Korea19651966200206−6AFC
 Pakistan19672023531152+3AFC
 Palestine196620062101440AFC
 Philippines19722022124441420−6AFC
 Qatar20232023100103−3AFC
 Saudi Arabia20172017100127−5AFC
 Singapore195720181821151138−27AFC
 South Korea197119747106422−18AFC
 Sri Lanka197220163201102+8AFC
 Syria200720163003117−16AFC
 Tajikistan20112011100103−3AFC
 Thailand19572023162591839−21AFC
 East Timor2006202285212116+5AFC
 Turkmenistan200720133003112−11AFC
 Uzbekistan199719972002110−9AFC
 Vietnam2195620211733112058−38AFC
 Yemen3196619973102880AFC
OpponentPlayedWonDrawnLostGoals forGoals againstGoal difference% WonConfederation
All2786236180310736-42622.1%AFC

See also

Leagues

Cups

National teams

Men

Women

Futsal

Other

References