The Timorese invasion of Cambodian football has continued with the signing of Olgar Fernando by ambitious CPL 2 side Siem Reap FC, making him the 7th Timor-Leste player now playing in Cambodian professional football.
Who is Olgar Fernando?
Photo: SR FC
A full international for the Timor-Leste national team Fernando is considered one of the best talents from the country of 1.4 million people and can reportedly play as both a winger, as well as up-front.
He joins Siem Reap FC, who compete in CPL 2 from the Timor-Leste domestic competition and is expected to play a key role in the teams fight for promotion this year.
What is the Timorese invasion?
Prior to 2022 no player from East Timor had played in the Cambodian domestic league, before Alistair Heath, then of Angkor Tiger took a punt on Mouzinho, who is now the national captain.
His initial success at Angkor Tiger led to a move to big spending Visakha, but also opened the door to a number of other players coming to the Cambodian Premier League, particularly after the 2023 SEA Games.
These have included Jhon Frith at ISI, as well as Mouzinho’s cousin Cristevão Fernandes who most recently signed for Siem Reap FC’s city rivals Angkor City FC.
You can read our interview with Jhon Frith here.
The moves have come in tandem with increased friendship between both Cambodian and Timor-Leste, with the former helping the later in its bid to join ASEAN. As such Timorese players that move to the CPL are considered part of the ASEAN, rather than AFC quota. This means that should these players be a success, then more are likely to move to the profitable shores of Cambodia.
You can read my interview with President Horta click here.
This article is adapted from BPVE, (https://bpve.com/) reported and edited from the great team – Cambodia Sports Review. (https://www.cambodiasportsreview.com/)
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