Students downed in the rain

The starting line-up for PPCFC v BBU. Back Row LToR: Tarley, Vanthan, Makara, Chamrouen, Obadin, Lika. Front: Asonibe, Chaya, Sothy, Sovanna, Srin. Click to enlarge.

The Metfone C-League is on its mid-season break. So Phnom Penh Crown have arranged a couple of friendly matches to keep their squad in shape. The first of those took place this afternoon at the RSN Stadium, initially in bright sunshine but soon in a downpour of rain that eased off as the match ended. Build Bright United were the opposition and Crown coach David Booth used the opportunity to give a run-out to some of the lesser-used players in his squad. One player who didn't manage a start was midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong who has suffered a setback to his recovery with a muscle strain and will sit out the next week. The game started slowly and sparked into life after 20 minutes when Henry Asonibe headed an Ouk Sothy corner wide at the far post. The same player then tested the agility of BBU keeper Hem Simay with a 25-yard drive that the stopper tipped around the post. Sam Chamrouen, in the Crown goal, was called upon to spread himself to deny BBU before late in the half, two efforts from Melvin Tarley should've given the home team the lead. First, the striker fired wide on the run and then missed badly from a few yards out when set up by Chan Chaya. Eight minutes into the second half and Crown nosed in front with a converted penalty from defender Odion Obadin. Chaya was felled as he broke into the penalty box on one of his trademark surging runs and Obadin stepped up to drill his spot-kick down the middle. Substitute Sok Pheng and Chaya both rolled shots inches wide of the target before Pheng made no mistake with a close range finish after good approach work by Ly Kimhor and Koem Sophanal with twenty minutes left on the clock. Sophanal had two good chances to increase the lead late on, as he cut through the BBU back-line only to find Sos Proshim in the way both times. The game ended with Crown taking the friendly honours 2-0. Three of the Crown squad were unavailable, with Sok Sovan, Sos Suhana and Hong Pheng in Vietnam with the Cambodian U-22 squad for a friendly against Saigon FC, which ended 0-0.

PPCFC line-up v BBU: Chamrouen, Srin (Seyha 46), Vanthan (Da 46), Lika, Obadin, Asonibe (Lyhor 61), Sovanna, Sothy (Sophanal 61 (Makara 89)), Chaya, Makara (Rathanak 46), Tarley (S Pheng 61).

Odion Obadin opens the scoring from the penalty spot on 53 minutes

Melvin Tarley is denied by BBU keeper Hem Simay in the 1st half