Cambodia national team coach Lee Tae-Hoon will have one last look at his U23 squad before making his selection of 20 players for next month’s SEA Games during today’s friendly fixtures at Olympic Stadium against the Nepalese senior team. The match will kick off under lights at 6pm, with an entry fee of 5,000 riels (US$1.23) for the main stand and 2,000 riels for uncovered seating.

Cambodia striker Keo Sokngon is set to return to the side after recovering from an ankle injury by spending four days receiving treatment in Vietnam. Captain Khoun Laboravy should also feature, but defenders Chhin Meng Seang and Touch Pancharong are doubtful due to injuries.

South Korean tactician Lee claims he does not expect the best from his players in the final tune up game before their opening fixture of the SEA Games against host Indonesia on November 9, instead preferring they remain free from injury. Cambodia won their friendly 2-1 against 2011 Metfone C-League runners up Naga Corp on Monday at Olympic Stadium.   

Nepal are playing in their third match of an ASEAN Tour which serves as preparation for the 2011 SAFF Championships to be held in New Delhi in December. They have so far lost 4-0 to the Philippines national team and 2-0 to the Malaysia Olympics side on their travels.

Currently ranked 144th in the world by FIFA compared to Cambodia’s 176th, Nepal have been under the leadership of head coach Graham Roberts since the start of the year. The 52-year-old Englishman had stints at Tottenham, Rangers and Chelsea during his playing career in the 1980s.

Some notable Nepalese players include goalkeeper Kiran Chemzon, defender Rohit Chand, midfielder Jagjeet Shrestha, and strikers Anil Gurung and Santosh Sahukhala.

With their planned friendly against the Thai national team cancelled due to the flooding in Bangkok, the Nepal team will fly back to their mountain nation on Sunday.

Nepal won their last meeting with Cambodia 1-0 during qualification for the 2008 AFC Challenge Cup in a game also played at Olympic Stadium.

Team lists

Cambodia

Goalkeepers: Sou Yaty, Um Vichet, Sar Sophea

Defenders: Chhin Meng Seang, Pheak Rady, Lay Raksmey, Sok Rithy, Touch Pancharong, Sok Sovan, Samuth Dalin, Moul Daravon

Midfielders: Chhun Sothearath, Chhin Chhoeun, Tum Saray, Prak Mony Udom, Sos Souhana, Soun Veasna, Pov Phearith

Forwards: Phourng Soksana, Mad Hosan, Keo Sokgnon, Khoun Laboravy, Sok Pheng

Nepal

Goalkeepers: Kiran Chemzong, Ritesh Thapa, Bikash Malla

Defenders: Sagar Thapa, Biraj Maharjan, Sandip Rai, Bikash Singh Chhetri, Dipak Bhushal, Rohit Chand, Robin Shrestha

Midfielders: Nirajan Khadka, Jagjeet Shrestha, Bholanath Silwal, Ramesh Katuwal, Anil Ojha

Forwards: Anil Gurung, Ganesh Lawati, Jumanu Rai, Sujal Shrestha, Santosh Sahukhala, Bharat Khawas