The grand final of the 6th Annual Tiger Street Football Festival kicks off tomorrow in front of Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich Theater. Ex-Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs, the most decorated footballer in history, is set to visit Cambodia for the grand final and teams will be vying for a chance to share a futsal cage with the Welsh wing wizard.
This is a summary of the intense futsal action which started in Sihanoukville province on January 20.
The 6th Annual Tiger Street Football Festival wowed attendees from 20-21 January on Ochheuteal beach, Sihanoukville. Around 54 teams were drawn to test their skills in a specially constructed cage, with Hurricane FC taking top honours in a close contest against their rivals in the final match. They claimed the provincial prize of $1,500. PHOTO: Yuen Punlue
In Kandal province on March 4, Kou Samout and Doem Mean were drawn to meet in the provincial final. With full-time unable to separate the pair and the score tied at 2-2, the match headed to sudden death and the dreaded lottery of the golden goal. And so, just moments into extra-time, a screamer from just inside the half-way line found the back of the net to claim the winning goal for Kou Samout. PHOTO: Yuean Punlue
3-y
On February 18 after navigating a lengthy knockout stage Family FC (A) and Poipet Empire (A) were drawn to meet in the final. It was Family FC who came away with the win – and the plaudits – in a close contest against their rivals. With the game finely balanced at half-time, it was Family who dug deepest to score an unassailable treble late in the half to secure a 6-3 win and the top provincial prize of $1,000. PHOTO: Yuean Punlue
The historic city of Siem Reap saw a record of 112 teams competing for a berth in the March 10-11 grand final. After navigating a tricky knockout stage, Next Step FC met Siem Reap FC, grand finalists at last years’ competition, in February 9 provincial final. In a final full of attacking flair, Next Step seized a 3-2 victory to claim the provincial prize of $1,500 and a ticket to the March grand final in Phnom Penh. PHOTO: Yuean Punlue
On February 3, 79 teams in Battambang tested their skills in a specially constructed futsal cage. PCO came out on top in a close contest against their rivals FC Crown in the final. In a final devoid of goals, locked at 0-0, and into extra-time, a quick breakaway saw PCO seize on a failed FC Crown attack to smash the winning goal from a yard inside the half-way line. PHOTO: Yuean Punlue
On January 28, Kampong Speu, ABA came out top in a close contest against their rivals Vitou MK in the final. They claimed the provincial prize of $1,000 and a ticket to the March grand final in Phnom Penh. The 6th Annual Tiger Street Football Festival also serves as a platform for talented players, aspiring footballers and anyone with a passion for the game to showcase their talent. PHOTO: Yuean Punlue
