Academy frustrated

Ouk Sovann curls a free-kick against the crossbar

The starting XI for the Academy this morning

Grrr. Earlier this morning the Phnom Penh Crown Academy boys did everything right except put the ball in the net, and paid a heavy price when the Preah Khan Reach U-16s nicked a winner with three minutes remaining. To say it was against the run of play is a massive understatement. Games between the two sides are always close, despite the two-year advantage enjoyed by the Military Police-backed team. However, the Academy set out their stall from the start of today's friendly game, playing a quick passing game that left PKR frustrated and ineffectual for each of the three thirty-minute halves. Hitting long hopeful balls up to their speedy strikers was PKR's gameplan and it failed repeatedly with Ouk Sovann in majestic form. Crown kept the ball in midfield until ready to release a through ball and only desperate defending by PKR kept them at bay. Orn Chanpolin headed inches wide before Sovann curled a 20-yard free-kick onto the crossbar in the first half. Yeu Muslim was the centrepoint for much of the Academy's good work but he was denied by the PKR keeper after evading two tackles and bursting through. The second period came and went and in the third, it was Crown that again forced PKR onto the back foot. Ken Chansopheak and Vat Samnang had shots saved by the PKR stopper and Chhuot Senteang broke free but lifted his chip over the keeper and past the far post. Preah Khan grabbed their goal with a rare probe forward with the game entering its last few minutes. As Crown pressed for the equaliser, Senteang outpaced the PKR defence but fired his golden opportunity wide of the target and the game was over.

Orn Chanpolin puts this header inches wide

Last minute instructions from the Academy coaches

The PKR keeper denies Long Phearath

Yesterday, two of the Crown Academy team guested for the Banteay Meanchey Phnom Svay team that collected the FFC U-13 Championship, played at the new Tonle Bati HQ of the federation. The Phnom Svay team ran out 5-0 winners against Chhlam Samuth and included Svang Samnang and Nop David in their line-up. Thy Ronaldo, who is part of the Crown Academy but was not included the original 22 selected as the club's first intake, also played for Phnom Svay.