Cambodia and Thailand have been disputing ownership of the Preah Vihar temple for the better part of this year and the stress of this tension has resulted in the Cambodian football team failing to beat the worst team in the FIFA ranks.
It wasn’t a loss only a 2-2 tie with East Timor, whose national team had previously been beaten in every game during their six-year existence.
“It was the first game we didn’t lose — we’re all very proud.” East Timor’s coach was understandably happy to put their first point in the FIFA. Playing conditions are rudimentary in the impoverished country and skill levels a challenge and the coach recognizes the team has a long way to go. “We have no resources to keep this team together and we barely have grass to play on.”
East Timor almost achieved the undreamable goal of winning this game, however a Cambodian player rescued the nation’s pride with a late score.
Neither team is contemplating a World Cup in the foreseeable future, but then the same could be said for England.