The
Anlong Veaeng Austcare Actionaid Lions, the newest team in the CNVLD National Volleyball League were warmly welcomed by everyone to the
1st Round B-League Competition, Saturday at Kien Khleang where five teams began their journey with only one able to gain promotion to the 2008 A-League.
The successful annual expansion of the National League has allowed for a
10 team A-League and a
five team B-League division for the first time ever in 2007. With relegation and promotion a real threat and reward, the standard of play in the 2007 National League has reached new heights.
Playing on the newly renovated CNVLD Kien Khleang Sports Court, the five B-League teams played through a ten-game schedule in glorious sunshine.
The
Anlong Veaeng Austcare / Actionaid Lions were clearly nervous at this their first ever competition and for the athletes, their first ever visit to Phnom Penh. Despite losing their opening three games, the Lions were warmly welcomed by all athletes who gave them loud support during their games. The presence of
General John Sanderson, UNTAC Military Commander 1991-1993 and
Ambassador to Cambodia of Austcare, also provided them with a welcome boost to morale. With a number of athletes shining, all are confident that that Anlong Veaeng will be the team to watch in the future.
The
Veal Thom Medico International Oxen put on the strongest showing of the day thanks to Man Veasna, Tioun Theoun and Yim Vanna, three former national team players who joined Veal Thom in the pre-season transfer window. Their three straight wins against the
Kratie Dolphins,
Kampot Siemens Crocodiles and
Kompong Chhnang Heidelberg Rhinos see them top the table after the first round.
The
Kratie Dolphins and the
Kampot Siemens Crocodiles hold joint second position after they won two of their three games without dropping a single set. The
Kompong Chhnang Heidelberg Rhinos had a tough day by only scraping a victory against newcomers the
Anlong Veaeng Austcare Actionaid Lions and took fourth place.
The CNVLD wishes to thank all of the
B-League sponsors,
General John Sanderson and
Austcare,
ICRC Kompong Speu for the ongoing provision of a qualified CPO to provide medical care and also
Dr Aaron Root for his ongoing voluntary work in classifying all B-League athletes in cooperation with the
Australian Paralympic Committee.
All of the 1st Round National B-League Competition Results and Standings are available for viewing on the CNVLD 2007 Results Page-
http://www.standupcambodia.org/blog/?page_id=519 - with all further competitions and venues listed on the Schedules 2007 page -
http://www.standupcambodia.org/blog/?page_id=22.
The next scheduled B-League Competition, on
Saturday 1st September 2007 at Kien Khleang, will decide which team successfully wins promotion to the prestigious 2008 A-League Competition where all games are played in the Olympic Stadium Phnom Penh.
Games start at 06.30 with Free Entry for all spectators.
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