The Cambodia U23 national football team began training together on Tuesday in preparation for September’s AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers.
Cambodia will host Group G of the tournament. They will meet Iraq, Oman and Pakistan, with matches to be played at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh from September 3 to 9.
Japanese coach Koji Gyotoku has been entrusted by the Football Federation of Cambodia (FFC) to continue leading the U23 squad during these qualifiers.
He previously guided the women’s national team at the ASEAN MSIG Serenity Cup 2025 in Vietnam earlier this month, and the U23 side at last month’s ASEAN U23 Mandiri Cup 2025 in Indonesia.
Koji acknowledged the difficulty of the group, noting that Iraq and Oman are particularly strong, while Pakistan should be more evenly matched. Because of this, he has made significant changes to the squad that played in Indonesia.
There, Cambodia drew 1-1 with Laos in the opener but lost 2-1 to Vietnam in the final match on July 22.
He has called up 26 players, including 12 new faces who were not part of the Mandiri Cup squad.
They include: Eav Sovannara, Lim Aaron Raymond, Khoan Soben, Sovann Dauna, Bong Somuel, Koeut Pich, Yem Devit, Chhin Vennin, Som Borith, Soeun Rithvirakvathana, Voeun Va and Chhoeun Davin.
The 14 returning players are Yang Phomin, Khorn Narong, Mat Lany, Reth Lyheng, Phat Sokha, Hout Vanneth, Mon Rado, Sin Sovannmakara, Chou Sinti, Vann Vit, Im Vakhim, Tum Makara, Chanvibol David and Samol Tina.
Koji believed the reshuffled squad will perform, since this time he has players who fit his plans more closely and also has a full week of preparation.
“We watched league matches directly to monitor players with the determination to fight hard. Since we will face very strong teams, we need players who can endure and perform for the full 90 minutes,” he told the media.
The AFC U23 Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers feature 44 teams, divided into 11 groups of four. Each group winner, along with the four best second-placed teams, will advance to the final tournament.
As Group G host, Cambodia will open against Oman U23 on September 3, face Pakistan U23 on September 6, and finish against Iraq U23 on September 9.
