Close affair

PPCFC v GIFU, back row, LtoR: Samnang, Safy, Chanchav, Chhaya, Baraing. Front: Piphop, Chanmony, Chetra, Piseth, Noeut, Rozak - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC U-15s 1 GIFU Select Japan 1 (Yamaha Challenge).
The afternoon Yamaha Challenge game for the Crown U-15 Academy team was a much closer affair than their previous two victories. The GIFU Select team from Japan are in Cambodia on training camp and had won their earlier 2 matches as well. Crown had the better chances in the first-half but there were no goals. Svang Samnang saved well with his feet early in the 2nd half and then tipped over a free-kick later on. In between Suon Noeut, Seut Baraing and Kim Chhaya went close. With 3 minutes to go, Men Piphop crossed, Sin Kakada headed it goalwards and it took a deflection on its way in. GIFU refused to lie-down and hit the bar, before equalizing with a minute left on the clock. In stoppage time Noeut curled a shot against the post and then saw a certain goal saved on the line by a retreating defender. 1-1 was the final result leaving all to play for tomorrow. In the other games, FFC defeated GFA 3-0 and Civil Service beat Svay Rieng 3-0. More to follow.