Speaking at an event held on Phnom Penh’s Koh Pich island to mark International Anti-Drug Day, Prime Minister Hun Sen on Thursday offered his opinion on the prospects of various nations competing in the World Cup.
“In the World Cup this year, European countries have lost a lot.
Now we see that Spain left first, and Italy, which should not have been dismissed,” he said, referring to the ugly knockout on Tuesday of Italy by Uruguay, which scored the game’s only goal mere moments after striker Luis Suarez bit an Italian player on the shoulder.
But, said Mr. Hun Sen, it is too early to rule the whole European continent out altogether.
“There remains France, Switzerland, Holland and Greece…so it’s OK,” Mr. Hun Sen said.
An avid football fan, Mr. Hun Sen drew accolades for his September 2011 “football diplomacy” match, in which newly elected officials from Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party were invited to play a match with Cambodian leaders. Mr. Hun Sen scored three goals in the game.
