Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Crown's revenge

Crown starting line-up. Back LtoR; Borey, Obadin, Frimpong, Rady, Asonibe, Sovan. Front: Vanthan, Suhana, Sovanna, Ary, Sokumpheak
Phnom Penh Crown were back to their preparation for the upcoming Metfone C-League campaign with another friendly against the African All Stars team, selected from the mainly Nigerian footballing community in Phnom Penh. The game was played at Crown's RSN Stadium and was an opportunity for the home team to avenge their 2-3 defeat by the same opposition last Thursday. The hot sun greeted the teams and it took 16 minutes before anything of note took place. A Khim Borey free-kick was met by the forehead of Sos Suhana and his goal-bound header was mis-judged by the All Stars keeper as it bounced against him and the post and crept over the line to give Crown the lead. Just before the half-hour and Yok Ary was beaten at the far post with a cushioned header for the equalizer. Suhana was five yards out when he poked his shot over the crossbar after the keeper dropped a cross, but he made sure Crown went into the break with the advantage. An Emmanuel Frimpong block-tackle saw the ball squirm goalwards to Suhana, who took a touch before firing a low drive into the corner of the net with the last kick of the first-half.

Seven minutes into the 2nd half and a reckless push on Henry Asonibe earned Crown a penalty. Khim Borey's spot-kick was saved but ordered to be retaken after the keeper left his line too early. Borey made no mistake with his second attempt. Yok Ary came to his team's rescue on a couple of occasions, denying the bustling Julius Oiboh, before Suhana was on hand to add the finishing touch to the sweetest move of the match. Crown broke quickly, Borey whipped the ball out to Soeng Vanthan and his pass inside saw Suhana take a touch to set himself up before finishing with a neat flourish, for his hat-trick and Crown's fourth in the 68th minute. With some rash challenges causing numerous interruptions, it was left to substitute Hong Pheng to claim Crown's fifth and final goal, with five minutes left on the clock, when he rose unopposed to head in Sok Pheng's cross.
PPCFC line-up: Ary, Rady, Vanthan (Chaya 73), Sovan (Tiny 72), Obadin, Sovanna (Dara 65), Asonibe, Frimpong, Suhana (S Pheng 72), Borey (H Pheng 76), Sokumpheak (Sothy 83).
Sos Suhana netting his hat-trick goal after the game's best move
Khim Borey's first penalty kick was saved but ordered to be retaken
Emmanuel Frimpong brings a touch of class to midfield
Sos Suhana rises above his marker to head Crown into the lead
Ex-Army and national team player Pheak Rady played his 3rd game today

No comments: