Baldwin seals it

PPCFC 1st half, back row, LtoR: Obadin, Borey, Ngwa, Sokheng, Da, Ary. Front Row: Chhaya, Chanpolin, Sodavid, Titchhy, Morslim - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown XI 2 Albirex Niigata 1 (Friendly).
Crown's pre-season got off to a pleasing start with a good first 45 minutes in this afternoon's practice match against Albirex Niigata at the Navy field. Crown began their training just a few days ago whilst Albirex have been have been training for months as they await their MCL play-off match. With 4 Academy players starting, and Orn Chanpolin the pick of the Crown side, the first goal came on 22 minutes as Kim Chhaya touched a Khim Borey free-kick onto Baldwin Ngwa and his bouncing shot crept inside the far post. Borey and Ly Morslim had already gone close to giving Crown the lead. Chhaya saw his 25-yard screamer tipped over by the keeper, though Albirex hit the post in a rare break. Ngwa struck again, on the half hour, nicking the ball off the goalkeeper and tapping it over the goal-line. Crown made five changes at the break. The second-half opened up with a headed goal for Albirex after just 28 seconds, as Crown were caught cold. Chea Dara had a fierce shot pushed over the bar, Ngwa headed a free-kick just wide and the same player volleyed over from close in. The performance intensity slowed in the second half because of the hot conditions but a good first work-out nonetheless.
PPCFC v Albirex: Ary (Soksela 46), Da (Sovann 46), Titchhy (Baraing 46), Sokheng (Sodavid 79), Obadin, Chanpolin (Apollo 67), Sodavid (Mathnorotin 46), Chhaya (Dara 46), Morslim (Alex 67), Borey (Chhaya 79), Ngwa. Goals: Ngwa 2 (22, 30)

PPCFC 2nd half, back row, LtoR: Obadin, Sokheng, Ngwa, Mathnorotin, Soksela, Sovann. Front Row: Chanpolin, Borey, Baraing, Morslim, Dara - click to enlarge