Cambodian and Southeast Asian football are in mourning following the sudden and tragic passing of Visakha FC and Cambodia national team defender Tes Sambath, who died in a traffic accident on April 20th at just 24 years old.
According to the Phnom Penh Post, Sambath—who also served as captain of the national team—lost control of his motorbike on the evening of April 20th. He veered off the road and plunged into a stream, where he tragically drowned.
“We are shocked and deeply saddened to hear of Sambath’s passing,” Visakha said in a statement the following day. “Cambodian football has lost a great talent. We extend our sincere condolences to his family and pray that his soul rests in peace.”
A graduate of Cambodia’s prestigious Bati Academy, Sambath was widely regarded as one of the country’s finest defenders. He captained Boeung Ket Angkor from 2018 to 2021 before joining Visakha, where he quickly emerged as a central figure. His leadership and maturity on the pitch also earned him a prominent role with the national team, becoming a symbol of a new era for Cambodian football.
Sambath rose through the ranks of Cambodia’s youth national teams before making his senior debut in 2021. His versatility—able to play as both a central defender and a defensive midfielder—made him an invaluable asset for the Angkor Warriors. He earned 16 senior caps and featured in both the 2020 and 2022 AFF Championships.
At club level, he was instrumental in guiding Visakha to back-to-back Hun Sen Cup victories in 2021 and 2022, and played a pivotal role in the club’s impressive run in the 2022 AFC Cup.
However, recurring leg injuries had limited his appearances during the 2024/25 campaign and sidelined him from national team duty over the past two years.
Sambath’s untimely passing is not only a heartbreaking loss for Cambodian football but also for the wider Southeast Asian football community, which had only begun to witness his immense potential.
He is the second Cambodian footballer to have died during the 2024/25 season, following the tragic death of Ministry of Interior FA captain Nub Tola, who took his own life in November 2024.