The full profile history achievement of Angkor Tiger Football Club – A Rising Star in Cambodian Football. Angkor Tiger is a professional football club based in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The club was founded in 2015 and is owned by Japanese businessman Akihito Kato. The team plays in the Cambodian Premier League, the top-tier football league in Cambodia.
The History of Angkor Tiger Football Club
Angkor Tiger Football Club was founded in 2015 by Akihito Kato, a prominent businessman and philanthropist. Mr. Yusuke Shinoda is a general manager of the club has a vision of creating a professional football club that would not only compete in the local league but also help promote football among the youth of Cambodia.
The club’s name, “Angkor Tiger,” is inspired by the ancient Angkor civilization, which was known for its strength and resilience. The tiger is also a symbol of strength and power in Cambodian culture, and hence, the name was a perfect fit for the club.
Initially, the club played in the Hun Sen Cup, the Cambodian League Cup and the Cambodian Premier League. The last season 2022, the Tiger Team was at the 7th place of Cambodian Premier League.
The Rise of Angkor Tiger Football Club
Since their promotion to the Cambodia League 1, Angkor Tiger Football Club has been on an upward trajectory. In the 2019 season, they finished in the fourth position, which was their best finish in the top tier. The following year, they had a fantastic run in the Hun Sen Cup, which is the premier football cup competition in Cambodia. They reached the semi-finals but were knocked out by the eventual winners, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC.
The 2020 season was a historic one for the club as they finished in the second position in the Cambodia League 1, which was their best finish yet. They were only one point behind the champions, Boeung Ket Angkor FC. Their impressive performance in the league also earned them a spot in the AFC Cup, which is the second-tier club competition in Asia. It was the first time that a Cambodian club had qualified for the AFC Cup in five years.
The Philosophy of Angkor Tiger Football Club
The success of Angkor Tiger Football Club can be attributed to their unique philosophy of developing young, local talent. Unlike some of the other clubs in Cambodia, who rely on foreign players, Angkor Tiger FC has a policy of giving opportunities to local players.
The club has an excellent youth academy, which provides training and development opportunities for young players from Siem Reap and the surrounding areas. The academy has produced several talented players who have gone on to represent the club at the senior level.
Another important aspect of the club’s philosophy is their emphasis on community outreach and social responsibility. They regularly organize football clinics and tournaments for the youth of Siem Reap and also support various charitable causes.
New Stadium of Angkor Tiger FC
The Current Stadium of Angkor Tiger FC is Hanuman Stadium, has capacity to get 5,000 seats. On March 24, 2023, in an exclusive interview with BPVE, Akihito Kato, the owner of Angkor Tiger FC, announced the club’s plan to build a new stadium in Cambodia. The 5,000 seater stadium is expected to be completed by 2024 and will be ready for the 2024-25 Cambodian Premier League season. The roadmap is to increase the stadium’s capacity to 10,000 in the future.
With the increasing popularity of football in Cambodia, the demand for better infrastructure is on the rise. The Angkor Tiger Football Club has been playing their home games at the Siem Reap Provincial Stadium, which has a capacity of only 2,000 seats. The club’s growing fan base has made it necessary to build a bigger stadium that can cater to the increasing demand for tickets.