Controversy raged again in Cambodian football circles with unconfirmed reports yesterday that four players and a team official had stayed behind while their U23 squad colleagues flew out to the SEA Games in Myanmar.

A team photo published on sabay.com.kh news website showed only 16 shirted players yesterday prior to departure from Phnom Penh International Airport.

Of the 20 player names announced by the Football Federation of Cambodia over the weekend, defenders Say Piseth (National Police) and Sok Rithy (Naga Corp), midfielder Tum Saray (Svay Rieng) and forward Keo Sokgorn (Boeung Ket) appeared absent along with staff member Chhaing Pisedth. FFC officials were unavailable for comment on the matter yesterday, while the players could also not be contacted. Cambodia’s Group B opener against Myanmar is on Friday at the Thuwunna YTC Stadium in Yangon.