In an interview with Khmer Nights, new Angkor Tiger coach, 37 year old Brit Alistair Heath, stated the club is aiming not only for for a top 4 finish, but also providing the entertaining attacking football the club’s loyal fans so desperately crave.
Who is Alistair Heath?
Appointed six weeks ago, Alistair Heath is 37 year old and hails from from Solihull in the English midlands. While this is his first managerial role, his journey to the new Cambodian Premier League has been an interesting one.
Heath has never played professionally but always wanted to get involved in coaching and he began on that career path at an early age. His first roles came in the non-league arena of English football, with his big-break coming in Leicester City.
He spent seven years at Leicester, including being with the club during their title triumph, one of the biggest shocks ever to happen in football. During his time there, he coached the Under-14’s and had a stint with the club’s academy in Thailand. That posting would help lay the groundwork for his signing on with the Tigers;
“Because I already had some experience in Asia my Singaporean agent arranged an interview for me. I was really impressed by the owners’ ambitions for the club. They were obviously impressed by me and the rest is history” Heath told Khmer Nights over a coffee near the SRU Stadium.
2021 for the Angkor Tiger
Last season was not exactly the Tigers’ best. The club finished a lowly 6th, enough to secure them a place in the new CPL, but some nine points behind 4th place, a gap Heath acknowledged needed to be addressed.
“We might not have the same kind of budget as the bigger clubs but we have made some good signings and I can already see the team starting to jell together” Heath added.
And as for the sides’ short-term goals? They are quite simply getting the club into the hallowed top 4 and maybe, just maybe having a decent cup run. Most importantly though, the aim is tp provide the entertaining football the club’s fans crave.
“Angkor Tiger have great fans and I have been told they want entertaining attacking football and that is exactly what I intent to provide”.
That’s a statement anyone who saw the Tigers play last year can certainly get behind.
To read about the culmination of the 2021 season click here.
Thoughts on the new CPL and Cambodia in general
As to the new Cambodian Premier League, Heath stated he was happy for anything that could improve the game. He does though have opinions about the new Under 23 rule however.
“Players should be picked on merit, not by age. I am all for the promotion of youth and recently played a 15 year year old in a first team match, but I don’t feel the rule is helpful”
From 2022 onwards, all CPL matches must feature at least two under 23 players in the lineup at all times.
And as for his move to Cambodia? Despite previously living in Thailand Heath described Cambodia as a “bit of a culture shock”. Luckily he was spared arrival prior to Siem Reap being “fixed”.
He did though praise how friendly the people are and particularly those with and behind the Tigers. He describes them as down to earth and the fanbase as passionate.
Get more foreigners into the grounds!
Heath is also in agreement with our good selves when it comes to getting more foreign fans into the stadiums.
“Games are on a Saturday at 3.30 pm, just like home, so why not at least give it a try, rather than just watching matches on TV”.
Khmer Nights cannot help but agree
