FFC national team coaching staff: From left, Ieng Saknida, Meas Channa, Hok Sochetra (head coach), Hok Sochivoan and Soung Phirom. The four others are assistants coaches. Photograph: Ishakawa Masayori

The Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) announced on Wednesday the list of officials and players for training ahead of the AFF Suzuki Cup Qualifiers in October in Yangon, Myanmar.

Newly appointed head coach Hok Sochetra named his first squad of 30 players, and that number will be reduced to 20 depending on the performance and attitude of the players.

Of the 30 players, half were in the recent U-22 squad. Naga Corp’s Phorng Ratana is newly recruited in the goalkeeping side with three other experienced players in Sar Sophea from Preah Khan Reach and Sou Yaty and Um Vichet, both from National Defence.

In the defensive area, veteran Tieng Tiny from Phnom Penh Crown, Om Thavrak from Naga Corp, Lay Raksmey from Preah Khan Reach and Say Piseth from Police Commissary are included, alongside Sok Sovan (Crown), Nen Sothearoath (PKR), Khek Khemarin (Army), Ke Vannak (Army), Khiev Vibol (Boeung Ket) and Touch Panhcharong (Boeung Ket).

With the midfield options, some are attacking midfielders, like the trio of Naga players Teab Vathanak, Sun Sopanha and leading league goal scorer Choun Chum, who are named alongside Khim Borey (Crown), Sos Suhana (Crown), Tit Dina (Police), Soun Veasna (PKR), Tum Saray (PKR), Chhun Sothearath (BBU), Prom Puthsethy (BBU), Chhin Chhoeun (Army), Pov Phearith (Army) and Keo Sokgnon (Boeung Ket).

In the forwards, there are three players, Sok Pheng (Crown), Srey Udom (Police) and Phoung Soksana (Army).

In the AFF Suzuki Cup qualifiers in October, Cambodia will face East Timor, Brunei, Laos and hosts Myanmar. The winners will play in the group A final round alongside Thailand, Vietnam and Philippines, and the runners-up will play with Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore in Group B.

In September, Cambodia will play a friendly match against the Philippines, and then with a selection of Cambodian players based in Europe.

To contact the reporter on this story: Ung Chamroeun at [email protected]