Kingdom of football: Final practice match

This morning's starting line-up. Back LtoR: Frimpong, Obadin, Ary, Rady, Vanthan, Sovan. Front: Sokumpheak, Asonibe, Suhana, Sovanna, Borey

In their final eve of season practice match, Phnom Penh Crown beat Western University 2-0 at the RSN Stadium early this morning. Western, who held the Army to a goal-less draw at the weekend, were under the cosh for much of the first half. A couple of minutes into the game and Crown's Khim Borey spooned a chance over the bar from close range and then sent a half-volley fizzing inches wide from 20 yards out. He then set up his former Army teammate Pheak Rady for a low drive which the keeper deflected for a corner. On 20 minutes, Sos Suhana was tripped as he raced into the penalty area but Borey's spot-kick was too high and Western breathed again. That is until the 32nd minute when Borey fed Kouch Sokumpheak inside the box. His quick feet deceived three defenders and a penalty looked certain only for Sokumpheak to get up off the floor, skirt around two more tackles and send a low drive into the far corner. A goal carved out of the man's sheer determination, one of his hallmark traits. Borey fired into the side netting, it just wasn't his day in front of goal, but when Emmanuel Frimpong evaded two tackles to get in a cross from the bye-line, Borey's touch to Suhana was perfect and he whacked home his shot from eight yards for his 11th goal in the pre-season friendlies. Crown coach David Booth made changes throughout the second half, which didn't flow as well as the first session. Melvin Tarley cut inside two defenders only to see his shot blocked by the keeper's feet and other opportunities for Sok Pheng and Chan Chaya went begging. A smack in the face saw Vi Lika suffer a bloody mouth just minutes after joining the fray. Crown now have a final few days of training to get in top shape for their opening C-League game against Preah Khan Reach next Wednesday (21 Mar) at the Olympic Stadium (2pm). They are still waiting to hear from the Federation as to whether Khim Borey and Pheak Rady will be able to play, and are also hopeful that the ITCs for two of their new foreign signings, Emmanuel Frimpong (22), who was with David Booth and Khim Borey at Sisaket last season, and Melvin Tarley (29), will come through in time. Tarley has just jetted in from the United States where he has played in the Major Soccer League and the United Soccer League for a collection of teams, appearing mainly for Minnesota Thunder as well as Real Salt Lake, Colorado Rapids and Puerto Rico Islanders. He's also a twice-capped Liberian international.
Crown line-up: Ary (Chamroeun 46 ((Oudom 65)), Rady (Dara 46), Vanthan, Sovan (Lika 79 (Srin 84)), Obadin (Tiny 46), Sovanna, Asonibe (Sothy 63), Frimpong, Suhana (Chaya 59), Borey (Tarley 46), Sokumpheak (S Pheng 75).