The Concordia College girls’ football team (in orange shirts) line up with the Cambodian national U16 girls’ team before their match at the University of Battambang. Photo Supplied

The Concordia College girls’ football team (in orange shirts) line up with the Cambodian national U16 girls’ team before their match at the University of Battambang. Photo Supplied

Visiting Concordia College women’s football team capped off the Cambodian leg of their tour of Southeast Asia with an 11-0 thumping of National High School Girls champions Pursat province in a 90-minute friendly yesterday morning at the University of Battambang pitch.

The match followed another friendly on Sunday against the Cambodian National U16 women’s team, which the American students won 5-0.

Despite the comprehensive scorelines, Concordia coach Dan Weiler gave praise to the Kingdom’s girls. “Cambodia was determined, organised, worked hard and they have a bright future ahead of them,” he said.

During their three-day stay in Battambang, the squad nicknamed ‘The Cobbers’ conducted cultural and outreach activities with the SALT Academy, an NGO that helps develop young leaders through a community-based football programme incorporating life skills lessons, vocational training and community engagement.

Weiler revealed his players had received a once in a lifetime and life changing experience, noting “it was great for us to see the [Cambodian] girls on the field.”

The team from the University in Moorhead, Minnesota, were also on hand for Saturday’s ‘Champions of Champions’ playoffs and the opening ceremony for the 2011 Futsal season, during an all-day celebration for the Queen Mother’s birthday held at SALT Academy’s new fields at Battambang Airport.

The first leg in Thailand the previous week saw the Cobbers play games against top local sides in Surat Thani, Sriracha and Chonburi, recording one 2-1 victory and two close losses.