Cambodia’s Under-19 team train at the Olympic Stadium before leaving for Myanmar. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

THE Cambodian Football National Under-19 team had their first training session yesterday as they prepare to play their first game in the 2011 AFF U-19 Championship at 6:40pm against the Malaysia Under-19 side at the Youth Training Center in Yangon in Myanmar today.

Ork Samnang, the Cambodia U19 manager, said there had been no problems with accommodation or the players’ health. “We have encouraged them to focus on health care by eating meals which are suitable for the players,” he said.

Preah Khan Reach midfielder Chea Samnang, who recently won the top player of 2011 Metfone Cambodian League award, said: “Of course, the players who are our opponents like Thailand and Singapore, they are all big and tall, but these are not our obstacles.

“After playing in our local league, we have played against many foreign players and we don’t fear them, so what we have to think about is playing convincingly.”

Cambodian U19 goalkeeper Um Vichet added: “For me, big or small is not important, but what we should acknowledge is that we have two hands and legs like them. So they have nothing more than us. I will try my best in the competition.”

Cambodia’s U19 team are in Group A with Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Singapore, while hosts Myanmar play in Group B with Indonesia, Laos, Vietnam and Brunei. Yesterday, Laos were to play Indonesia, while Brunei were to meet Vietnam in the opening games of Group B, before Cambodia play Malaysia after the clash between the Philippines and Singapore. TRANSLATED BY IN SOPHENG