Preah Khan Reach (PKR), currently fourth in the Metfone C-League, left for Malaysia yesterday morning to play a friendly match against the Malaysian U21 national team.

According to head coach Rith Dikar, the team will face the young Malaysians today before returning Wednesday ahead of their clash Saturday with fellow Super 4 playoff aspirants Build Bright United.

Rith Dikar, who is also coach of the U17 national team, revealed that PKR wanted to use the friendly to expose their young players to international competition, as nearly half the squad were under 19 years of age.

Meanwhile, PKR’s foreign trio of Anthony Nzekwesi, David Njoku and Ande Apollo were prohibited from traveling with the team as their passports were not updated in time. “We hope it will be done soon as we still have several other international friendlies lined up,” said the coach.

Preah Khan Reach emerged champions of a four-team international tournament in China last year, which featured two teams from the host nation and a team from Laos. A win against the Malaysian team would be a big boost for the Military Police-backed side who are still looking for their first title in Cambodia’s top tier.