Albirex too strong

U-17s v Albvirex, back row, LtoR: Titchhy, Chanchav, Senteang, Sodavid, Sakrovy, Chanvuthy. Front: Rozak, Ponvuthy, Baraing, Phearath, Sovann - click to enlarge

The Phnom Penh Crown U-17 Academy team suffered a rare defeat this afternoon at the hands of Albirex Niigata, losing 4-0. The practice game was played at a bumpy Navy field and with Albirex showcasing a number of new faces ahead of their C-League play-off matches, they were in better shape than the Academy who've only just returned to training and were without a few regulars. Amongst a half a dozen new faces with Albirex were the recently-departed Neou Sosela, part of the Championship-winning Crown squad, as well as Naga's San Narith and Western's Men Seyha, who also played with PPCFC in the past. The Academy were missing injured regulars Orn Chanpolin, Suon Noeut, Kim Chhaya and Men Piphop. Albirex opened the scoring on five minutes, though Chhuot Senteang will wonder how Mat Muslim in the Albirex goal kept the scoreline at 1-0 at the interval with a point-blank save midway through the first half. Former Crown winger Neou Sosela extended the lead ten minutes after the break before Yusuke Ueda netted two more for the Japanese-run team. Crown went close through a Vat Samnang free-kick, and Long Phearath and Pov Ponvuthy who had shots saved but could find no way back for a rare defeat. The Academy are looking ahead to the start of the Cambodia Youth League next month, though a few of the players will also take part in the Yamaha Challenge tournament beginning tomorrow.
PPCFC U-17s v Albirex: Chanvuthy (Samnang 58), Sovann, Phearath (V Samnang 23), Baraing (Senteang 68), Titchhy (Phearath 46), Chanchav (Rozak 67), Sodavid, Rozak (Noron 46), Sakrovy, Ponvuthy, Senteang (Muslim 53).