National team coach Lee Tae Hoon has named eight changes to his squad for Tuesday. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

Cambodian national team coach Lee Tae Hoon of South Korea has released his squad list of 25 players for next Tuesday’s friendly match against Malaysia’s U23 Olympic team.

The game has been arranged as a warm up for the 2014 World Cup 2014 Asia zone qualifiers in which Cambodia will host Laos in first leg on June 29 while the second leg will play in Vientiane on July 3.

National team stars currently plying their trade in Thailand, such as Khim Borey, Keo Sokngorn and Chan Rithy, have not been called up. Goalkeeper Peng Bunchhay and striker Sok Pheng from Phnom Penh Crown, who featured in the side that played AFC Challenge Cup games in the Maldives in March, have been dropped.

Lee’s selection, which includes eight changes to his Maldives team sheet, has come under criticism from local football analysts, but assistant coach Ieng Saknida claims the Korean tactician is firmly focused on the U23 competition at the 26th SEA Games in Indonesia this November and will concentrate on improving the standard of his younger players.

Meanwhile, the Laos team are playing two friendlies in China in preparation for their clash with Cambodia, whom they drew 0-0 with during their last meeting in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup qualifiers.  

National team selection

New additions are starred

Goalkeepers

Ouk Mich (PKR)

Oum Vicheth* (MND)

Defenders

Touch Panhcharong (Police)

Say Piseth (Police)

Tieng Tiny (Crown)

Pheak Rady (MND)

Sok  Rithy (PKR)

Lay Rasmey (PKR)

Thong Udom (MND)

In Vichheka* (Kirivong)

Sos Nasiet* (Kirivong)

Midfielders

Tum Saray* (PKR)

Sun Sopanha (Crown)

Chhun Sothearath (BBU)

Prak Mony Udom (PKR)

Soun Veasna (PKR)

Phoung Soksana (MND)

Chhin Chhoeun (MND)

Sos Souhana* (Prek Pra)

Phoung Narong* (Crown)

Tith Dina* (Police)

Forwards

Kouch Sokumpheak (Crown)

Khoun Laboravy (PKR)

Sam El Nasa (PKR)

Mat Hasan* (Prek Pra)