The maths are simple, even for me. Phnom Penh Crown could feasibly be crowned champions of the Metfone C-League this coming weekend, or if results don't go their way, it could all go to the last weekend of the season. On Saturday, 2nd-placed Naga face a tough opponent in the Army, and if they lose then Crown will win their second successive championship. If the result goes in Naga's favour, then Crown will have their fate in their own hands when they play Preah Khan Reach at 2pm on Sunday. A win would see Crown claim the title for the 4th time, having previously won it in 2002, 2008 and 2010. If it doesn't pan out then it will go to the wire when Crown take on Naga on Sunday 4 September. For the neutrals they'd love to see that match as the decider. For me, bugger that, I want to win the championship as quickly as possible, so I'll be cheering on the Army come Saturday afternoon. Crown will be missing two key defenders for the game against PKR on Sunday. The ridiculous disciplinary system in Cambodian football which sees a player suspended for 1 game if he gets two yellow cards, has come into play for skipper Thul Sothearith and Sun Sovannrithy, who were both booked in the last game against the Army. That means coach David Booth, on the back of seven straight wins since he took over the helm, will need to change both full-backs, whilst trying to keep stability in the rest of his line-up. The team will have had eleven days to prepare since that 1-0 win over the Army, so there won't be any complaints about game fatigue. Though they had a complaint looming yesterday, when the federation informed them that top scorer Kouch Sokumpheak would also miss the game, after receiving a booking against the Army. The fact that he wasn't booked in that game was quickly pointed out to federation officials who just as quickly rescinded their original notice to everyone's relief. The game against PKR in the first round was the opening match of the league season and ended in a 2-2 draw. The teams know each other very well and the match promises to be one of the most eagerly-awaited clashes of the campaign.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Simple maths
The maths are simple, even for me. Phnom Penh Crown could feasibly be crowned champions of the Metfone C-League this coming weekend, or if results don't go their way, it could all go to the last weekend of the season. On Saturday, 2nd-placed Naga face a tough opponent in the Army, and if they lose then Crown will win their second successive championship. If the result goes in Naga's favour, then Crown will have their fate in their own hands when they play Preah Khan Reach at 2pm on Sunday. A win would see Crown claim the title for the 4th time, having previously won it in 2002, 2008 and 2010. If it doesn't pan out then it will go to the wire when Crown take on Naga on Sunday 4 September. For the neutrals they'd love to see that match as the decider. For me, bugger that, I want to win the championship as quickly as possible, so I'll be cheering on the Army come Saturday afternoon. Crown will be missing two key defenders for the game against PKR on Sunday. The ridiculous disciplinary system in Cambodian football which sees a player suspended for 1 game if he gets two yellow cards, has come into play for skipper Thul Sothearith and Sun Sovannrithy, who were both booked in the last game against the Army. That means coach David Booth, on the back of seven straight wins since he took over the helm, will need to change both full-backs, whilst trying to keep stability in the rest of his line-up. The team will have had eleven days to prepare since that 1-0 win over the Army, so there won't be any complaints about game fatigue. Though they had a complaint looming yesterday, when the federation informed them that top scorer Kouch Sokumpheak would also miss the game, after receiving a booking against the Army. The fact that he wasn't booked in that game was quickly pointed out to federation officials who just as quickly rescinded their original notice to everyone's relief. The game against PKR in the first round was the opening match of the league season and ended in a 2-2 draw. The teams know each other very well and the match promises to be one of the most eagerly-awaited clashes of the campaign.
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8 comments:
Will PKR have their U19 national players Daravoan, I Rotha, Prak Mony Udom and Samnang back from Vietnam on Sunday for the 2pm game against PPC? A full strength PKR side is formidable opposition for the champions-in-waiting PPC and PKRs shape and cohesive play by far the best in the league. Sam El Nasa loss to coaching is a blow to PKRs but classy Ravy always gets chances and invariably scores!
Naga/Julius are in good form and should prove too strong for the Army on the Saturday!
Who knows, the U-19s play on Friday in Hanoi, so they'd better hurry back. There were 10 PKR players in the U-19s squad that went to Vietnam for two friendly games. There were 2 Naga players as well.
As I compared the two teams in my posting, Crown are in better shape than PKR, man for man.
I've watched Julius and Naga all season. The league's top scorer was firing blanks in his last match and without his goals, Naga will struggle. Army are definitely no pushover.
Andy
Phnom Penh Crown team formation is excellent, with Sokumpheak and Chan Chhaya supporting the striker. 7 straight wins under David Booth is impressive. They should be win the game with Preah Khan Reach. PKRs players will be tired after Vietnam.Champions!
Is Borey at Crown now?
Dear Dara,
I can make no comment on the Khim Borey situation at the moment. It's a complicated situation.
Andy
Crown Sports Bar? Sounds oxymoronic to me. But the posters look great!
If the Army beats Naga on Saturday, (I know it's unlikely, but just suppose), will the newly-crowned champions PPC play their B-team against PKR on Sunday? And/or is Khim Borey poised to make his long-awaited Crown debut!
Anon 4:55PM,
I am sure PPCFC will play their strongest team against PKR whatever the results on Saturday. We need to win the C-League Championship and we need match practice before the very important AFC President's Cup.
I can make no comment on the Khim Borey situation at the moment. It's a complicated situation.
Andy
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