Chan Vathanaka is yet to make his league debut for Japanese third tier outfit Fujieda MYFC after joining on a season-long loan in February.
As explained by the coaching staffs of Fujieda, insignificant defensive play and lack of stamina are holding Vathanaka back.
“Vathanaka needs more speed, in either offense and defense,” coach Atsuto Oishi pointed out, as quoted by NHK. “He’s slower than our Japanese players, so he needs time to work on his strength.”
“He’s slower than our Japanese players, so he needs time to work on his strength,” he added.
While Cambodian fans have been venting their frustrations online to ask him to return home, the 23-year-old midfielder retains his belief that he will make the grade overseas and will benefit from the experience.
“Fans want to see me play, so they want me to go back to Cambodia. But on my personal standpoint, I want to continue my training to develop additional capabilities. I want to secure a place in the team’s starting XI,” Vanthanaka told NHK.