Antoine Lemarie has yet to score a single goal for Boeung Ket FC

 

Antoine Lemarie, a French midfielder who joined Boeung Ket last December, has yet to score or assist for his club as of week 27, at the end of CPL regular season play.

However, Antoine may have an opportunity to break his drought and score his first goal during the CPL final round. Boeung Ket is one of the four top clubs that qualified for the finals.

Antoine has had neither an enjoyable nor an easy time since joining Boeung Ket, popularly known as the “Blue Dragon”, last year. While he has made six appearances for the club – three of which were as a substitute – he has not scored a single goal, or provided an assist.

The 28-year-old midfielder came a hair’s breadth away from scoring his first goal for the club during Boeung Ket’s encounter with Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng last Saturday at the National Olympic Stadium. Yet, he could not quite touch the ball into the net as he snatched a rebound from his teammate’s shot.

In his defence, Lemarie’s fans said he still needs time to adjust to Cambodian football, and that this is a frequent issue for foreign players in Cambodia.

Cambodian professional football league play style varies considerably from those in neighbouring countries and others in the region. Some experienced international players who formerly played, or who are currently playing in Cambodia, say that the style of football in Cambodia is mostly about strength and competitiveness. In other countries, the play style puts more emphasis on organising tactics and skills during matches.

Experienced players said that to play the Cambodian game, they must be both physically strong and possess extra stamina. Otherwise, they will be unable to keep up with their opponents.
Antoine will need to do his very best to pull Boeung Ket through its three matches in the CPL final round, which runs from May 4 to 12.

Boeung Ket meets Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng on Saturday, May 4 at Svay Rieng Stadium before going against Phnom Penh Crown on May 8 at the National Olympic Stadium.

On May 12, Boeung Ket faces Visakha at Prince Stadium.

At the end of the CPL regular season, Svay Rieng tops the table standings with 69 points, followed by Crown with 64.

Visakha is in third place with 44 points, followed by Boeung Ket in fourth with 41.

Tiffy Army stands at fifth, followed by ISI in sixth. NagaWorld cannot expect to finish higher than its current seventh place standing, followed by Prey Veng in eighth.

Kirivong is in ninth followed by Angkor Tiger in last place.

Current standings advance the leading four clubs, Svay Rieng, Crown, Visakha and Boeung Ket into the final round from May 4 to 12.

In the finals, the top four will meet and play three matches each, facing their opponents one time only in a bid to win extra points.

The squad with the most points from victories wins the CPL championship.

Crown has a great aspiration to become the first team to win the league title for a third consecutive year, while Svay Rieng is eager to reclaim its past glory. Their latest championship came in 2019.