Western Uni.FC Hammered 5-0 by Naga Corp

Western Uni.FC were inflicted with a heavy defeat this afternoon as Table Toppers Naga Corp hammered the university Side 5-0.

It was Coach Rithea Long's First game in charge of the Golden Lions and the league leaders raced to a 2 goal lead inside 3 minutes as Western Defense was ripped apart in quick succession.

Chances came the way of Western at the other end but they were wasted and very little to trouble Naga who took a comfortable 4-0 half time lead

The Casino backed side seem to have taken their foot off the pedal as western came stronger after the restart and pressed to reduce the tally but often falling short in the final third.

Naga Man of the Match Barry made it 5-0 with 3 minutes to go to put Naga 3 points clear at the top of the Metfone Cambodia League.

Long Rithea takes charge of Western Uni.FC

Coach Long Rithea today took charge of Western Uni.FC as Head coach following the departure of Coach Meas Samouen.

Long Rithea has admitted he is Happy to return to the club he once coached when they play in the division A1  and delighted at being given the chance to manage Western Uni.FC once again.

Rithea took charge of Western for the first time in training today and will lead the team for the first time on sunday against Naga Corps FC, kick off at 6:00pm, after being handed control of the team when Meas Samoeun departed the club on Tuesday.

The former Army Coach has been with  Western in the past and is well known by most of the players who welcomed him back to the club following the announcement by Manager Sothea Lay.

Rithea spoke with Westernunifc.blogspot.com before the training for the first time since he was appointed, and he said: "I'd just like to say how happy I am to be back managing for the remaining games  this season, I want to do well for the club and I hope we can succeed".

"I  have monitored the team closely and i think there are lots of potentials here to put the club in good position in the league, we will have to see which areas they are lacking and we can do it together" "I've told the players 'I trust you and I know what you're capable of. Go out there and show it'. he said

"I want the players to play with passion, speed, tempo, be brave, show imagination. All the things I expect of a Western Uni.FC player - work hard but most of all enjoy it."

Long Rithea

"The players have looked really good in most of their matches, they are all excited as well as they know me already. Everyone's looking sharp and I've just said to them 'enjoy yourself, give the fans something to smile and win for yourself and the team'.

"I'd like to put on record my thanks to Manager Sothea Lay for giving me the chance in coaching this team.."

Rithea is keen to ensure his players develop a philosophy of play which they will be known for noting that tactical and technical Discipline has been the bane of the club so far this season"

"It's going to be my philosophy, Western Uni.FC's philosophy," Rithea added.

"I want the players to play with passion, speed, tempo, be brave, show imagination. All the things I expect of a Western Uni.FC player - work hard but most of all enjoy it.

"When the players know  they are enjoying the game, they will express themselves a lot more. That's what I'll be doing with the team in training.  I want to bring some positivity back.

"I want to get the crowd up and I want the passion that should come from being a Western Uni.FC Player." 

Injury blow for Western Uni.FC

Western uni.FC have suffered injury blow as four of their regulars are sidelined ahead of this weekend clash with Naga Corps. New signing Goze Mamadou Diarra is out with a groin tear he suffered in his debut on Sunday, star midfielder Privat Mbarga suffered a knock to his ankle which has kept him out of training since Monday. Goalkeeper Boronoch was subbed in the 80th minute in the 4-3 lose to National Police following a back injury and has yet to resume training while Prom Yaneath is yet to recover from the injury that sidelined him from the match on Sunday.
With Western Currently shopping for a new coach, they will have to struggle to find a team to take on high flying Naga currently tied with PPCFC at the summit of the Metfone Cambodia league.

Coach Meas Samouen Quits Western Uni.FC

Western Uni.FC has parted company with Coach Meas Samouern by mutual consent according to Manager Sothea Lay.
" We Are looking for a New Head Coach, Mr Samouern is quiting because he has other pressing commitment, we really appreciate his services to us and wish him all the best in future endevour" tha manager stated.

The former BBU coach took over Western Uni.FC in december and steered the club to second round of the Hun Sen Cup. Western are currently 10th in the Metfone Cambodia League just hovering above the relegation zone.
Assistant coach Chhim Chantharith will take over in interim capacity until a new head coach is named.

Coach Samouen's records stands as P16 W5, L7 D4

Western Uni,FC Target's Survival

Ken Gadaffi has told the Westernunifc.blogspot.com  that finishing above relegation zone would be a good season for Western Uni.FC.

Western Goalkeeper Boronoch has been in fine form this season 

The Golden Lions enjoyed an impressive form during the early part of the first half of the season, with three games unbeaten run only for a dip in results to recalibrate their aims.

Coach Meas Samouern's side are now looking to ensure survival in the metfone Cambodia  League, following 4 defeats the last a 4-3 lose to National Police on Sunday 

He said: "There are two league matches left  for the end of the first round. They are important, because we play Naga and Phnom Penh Crown, two top teams. We have come so close in the big games lately but just couldnt cross the finishing line so we hope we can hold our own against these two teams and then see where we are at the end of the first round"

WUFC's Technical Adviser Ken Gadaffi talking Tactics
with Western Head Coach Meas Samoeurn

Western Uni.FC are currently in 10th place just a place above the relegation zone onlyby goal difference and the Technical Adviser of the team feels they could hang on for long and see the season through by escaping the drop.

"If we finish above the relegation zone, we have not lost anything and it will be a good season. I think that if we finish in mid table,  that will be a successful season. 

"To finish anywhere above the drop zone is almost crucial for the club. We would like to end well and finish the season by retaining our top flight status.

"At a club like Western, there is a level of public expectation. I know some fans were unhappy with our defeat against Albirex a few weeks ago, because that was a match against rivals for relegation. I know some were unhappy but we responded well in the next game and showed our strength of character by drawing against Svay Rieng and Tri Asia.

"It is essential to respond collectively to show we are going in the right direction.  we took the lead against National Police and was looking to be cruising but unfortunately we couldnt hold on to the lea, If we can continue to play well to finish above the relegation zone, and if we can also win against our fellow rivals for relegation, it will be a good season all the same. 

"Yes, it is true, there was a lot of expectation this year, because we came into the league via a wild card from the FFC and many people are expecting us to do well,  but unfortunately we had injuries, we also have financial problems which has not helped to strenghten the Squad,  but we will go step by step until we can stabilize the team."

Ken Gadaffi was also asked about Technical side of western that has seen them drop 10 points from possible winning position

He added: "It is interesting to note that Western could probably have been in the top 4 if we look at the games we have dropped points from possible winning position" .

"We have been working hard on the players and trying to instill in them a winning mentality, of course we are lacking in some areas but I am sure as the season goes on, we would be able to correct some of those technical and tactical mistakes that has cost us so much points" 

Lose Put Western Uni.FC close to Danger zone.

With 2 games remaining before the end of the first round, Western Uni.FC's return to the top flight of Cambodia Football has been Topsy turvy and the University backed team is sitting one place above the relegation zone with only goal difference separating them from Kirivong Sok Sen Chey.

The team so far has only One win, Four draws and Four loses which has left them with only 7 points from a possible 27.

Western Uni.FC will be kicking their asses following the 4-3 lose to National Defense on Sunday which could have seen them move two places up the ladder than one step down as it is after they let go a 2-0 lead to trail by two goals with 4 minutes left in the clock before pulling one back.

This is the third time Western will be dropping points from a possible winning position. The led Albirex in week 6 but fell 2-1 in the end. In week 8 they took the lead against Tri Asia and ended up with a 1-1 draw.

On Sunday against National Police, the golden lions took a shock lead inside 3 minutes when Privat Mbarga jabbed in a low cross from Debutante Goze Brizi Dieudonne for his 3rd goal of the season and 4 minutes later David Njoku's free kick was unstoppable to give Western a 2-0 lead. Police got back in a space of one minute in the 16th minute and were leveled. They took the lead again after the break and went 4-2 up before David Njoku pulled one back in the 86th minute. A late rally saw the Western coming close to getting a point but it was too late as Police held on for the win.

Western now sit on 10th place with 7 points with -4 goals difference, with games against table toppers Naga and Phnom Penh Crown coming up respectively.

"To concede goals after taking leads has been our main problems"Admits Manager Sothea Lay. "It is purely down to tactics and we just have to get back to the drawing board to work on this deficiency" he stated.

Western Uni.FC go down in 7 Goal Thriller Against National Police.

For the 3rd time in as many matches, Western Uni.FC dropped points from possible winning position after letting a 2 goal lead against the Reigning Hun Sen Cup Champions slip away from them. A thrilling first 45 minutes ended with 2 goals a piece. Western drew the first blood with two goals from Privat Mbarga and David Njoku inside 10 minutes. The Hun Sen Cup Champions, National Police came back smoking and in the 16th minute drew one back and inside 1 minute they were level. 

It was the early Kickoff of the Sunday Fixtures and Western Uni.FC had not lost their two last encounters after earning draws against Svay Rieng and Tri Asia before the Khmer New Year Break. National Police on their part suffered two defeats in their last two games and are looking to get back to winning ways.

Before National Police could know settle down, Debutant Goze Brizi Dieudonne received a pass from inside the box in the near side turned his marker to get to the bar line and sent a low cross to Privat Mbarga and the Cameroon  born slot into an empty note to give the University side a flying start inside 3 minutes.

National Police are yet to know what hit them as Western continued to burst forward and in the 8th minute won a free kick right a the edge of the box. Club top scorer David Njoku stepped forward and fired home to give the Side a 2-0 cushion, the Nigerian 4th goal of the season.

National police didnt allow the early blow to affect them as they came out smoking and took the game to Western and got their reward in the 16th minute in quick succession as they drew level within 45 seconds.

Both sides pushed to take the lead but could not find the finishing with most of the better chances falling for national Police but went into the break with 2 goals apiece.

The Second half saw the National Police creating the more chances and continue to pile pressure on Western who could not counter the game plan of the Police boys. Coach Meas Samoeurn Made two substitutions but were ineffective as National Police took the lead in the 56th minute and then doubled the lead in the 69th minute. A late surge from Western saw David Njoku pulled one back and Captain Mol could have leveled scores in the 90th minute after Privat Mbarga's cut back met the skipper in the 6 yard only for his shot to be cleared off the line.

Western Uni.FC Manager Sothea Lay praised his boys fighting spirit though regretted getting nothing out of a spirited effort. " It is not always you score 3 goals and lose, our players did well, and we took a shock lead earlier on but lost concentration and allowed them back" He explained. 

" It is a tactical mistake from our part, we have on several occasions gone to sleep after taking the lead to allow out opponents back into the game, we will need to look into this critically and hopefully get back to winning ways, the boys gave their all and credit to them" he enthused.

Photos from the Match supplied by Ishikawa Masayori