Chhlam Samuth registered a shock 4-0 thrashing of Kirivong Sok Sen Chey during their Metfone C-League match at Olympic Stadium yesterday.

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Nigerians accounted for all of the Sea Sharks’ second-half strikes, with captain and forward Silva Sunday notching a brace shortly after midfield compatriot George Bisan, on loan from Boeung Ket Rubber Field FC, grabbed his own double.

Despite having skipper In Vichheka make the starting line-up, having recovered sufficiently from a split eyebrow at the weekend, Kirivong counted the cost of missing key defender Touch Sok Heang through injury.

The result did nothing to overall standings, however, with Chhlam Samuth still at the foot of the table, albeit on goal difference, having secured their first points of the season. Kirivong remain in eighth.

FBT to kit out national teams

Meanwhile, the Football Federation of Cambodia has announced a four-year sponsorship deal with Football Thai Factory Sporting Goods (FBT), a big producer of sports materials in Thailand, to supply kit and equipment to all age groups of the Cambodian national teams.

The agreement to provide the FFC with two million baht (US$64,700) worth of jerseys, shorts, shocks, bags and other materials each year was officially signed on Monday at a ceremony held at the FBT headquarters in Bangkok and attended by FFC vice-president Kiev Sameth and FBT deputy president Monchai Chokephaibulkit.

FFC general secretary Kul Sophanna and Cambodian national team manager Van Ly were also present.

“At first, we contacted the company to discuss purchasing materials at a discounted price, but during negotiations, FBT became interested in sponsoring us because in all levels of the Cambodian national set-up, not every team receives sponsorship yet,”  Kul Sophanna said.

“Even though the size of the sponsorship has not matched our maximum requirement, it is still a very important deal for us.”

Until recently, the national senior squad had their equipment unofficially sponsored by South Korean firm Tomato Specialize Bank, a deal arranged through head coach Lee Tae Hoon’s association with the bank’s president.

FBT sponsors many sporting events in Thailand, as well as 17 professional football clubs in the Thai top flight who wear its shirts on the field. 

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

Translated by In Sopheng