U-17 champs

PPCFC U-17s, back row, LtoR: Chanpolin, Senteang, V Samnang, Chanchav, Sakrovy, S Samnang (capt). Front: Ponvuthy, Noeut, Baraing, Noron, Rozak - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-17 Academy 16 Civil Aviation 0 (Cambodia U-17 Youth League).
The U-17 Academy team completed their season with a thumping win over Civil Aviation, to confirm themselves as Youth League Champions for the 2nd year in succession, with 6 wins in as many matches. On Fair Play Day, despite extreme provocation from their opponents who had two players red carded in the second-half and 7 booked, Crown passed their way through the Aviation defence to run up a big score. Out injured were Kim Chhaya, In Sodavid, Men Piphop and Long Phearath, so the U-17s had just five players on the bench. In goal, Svang Samnang skippered the team and read out a few words before the kick-off on behalf of FIFA Fair Play. It took four minutes for Seut Baraing to open the scoring as he blasted a 25-yard free-kick past the keeper, after Orn Chanpolin was fouled. It would turn out to be the story of the game as CA resorted to strong-arm tactics to try to half the Academy but without success. Chhuot Senteang scored 2 goals in two minutes, as he finished off a pass from Mat Noron, and then moved onto Pov Ponvuthy's through ball and produced a deft touch over the onrushing keeper. His second was on 15 minutes. Two minutes later and Mat Sakrovy picked up the ball 25 yards out, sidestepped two defenders and let fly from distance for Crown's 4th. A superb one-two by Chanpolin with Senteang saw the midfield dynamo roll the ball in for a fifth on 23 minutes. More chances came and went as Crown totally dominated, with the CA keeper pulling out a series of good saves to keep the scoreline to five at the break.

Mat Noron opened the second-half flood of goals on 9 minutes when Sath Rozak and Baraing combined to present him with the opportunity. Ouk Sovann tested his free-kick range with a 20-yarder against the cross-bar, before Noron netted his second on 67 minutes, from a Rozak pass. Three minutes later, CA lost their first player to a red card for a crude lunge on Senteang and a minute later, Sovann made them pay as he curled a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner. With the clock just ticking on another minute, Sovann outpaced his marker, who took a kick at him, but he recovered and laced the ball into the net from wide on the left. More bookings for CA followed as they lost their heads and Sovann claimed a six-minute hat-trick, as Noron was upended and Sovann placed one of his free-kick specials over the wall and into the net. 76 minutes played. A minute later, Senteang was floored, a penalty awarded and another CA player saw red, though he initially refused to walk. Civil Aviation were making a mockery of the FIFA Fair Play event that preceded the match. Senteang lashed the ball into the net for his hat-trick. On 81 minutes Yeu Muslim slotted the ball home from Sovann's cross-field pass that put him in acres of space, and Senteang scored his fourth from Muslim's byeline cross. Senteang repaid his teammate with an unselfish pass for Muslim to tap home as Crown ran riot against a demoralised CA outfit. With four minutes to go, Baraing ventured upfield, took a pass from Noron and steered the ball into the top corner with a great strike. And in stoppage time, the full-back raced from his own half, walked the ball around the keeper and over the line for his hat-trick and the Academy's 16th without reply. Svang Samnang in goal was a spectator, though CA's tactics were questionable throughout the match and not in keeping with the FFC's focus of the day.  The Academy U-17s will be presented with their trophy and medals next Sunday.

PPCFC U-17s v CA: S Samnang (capt), Noeut (Titchhy 46), Baraing, V Samnang, Chanchav (Sovann 46), Rozak, Sakrovy (Muslim 59), Chanpolin, Noron, Ponvuthy, Senteang. Subs not used: Chanvuthy, Chansopheak. MOTM: Sovann & Baraing. Bookings: None. Goals: Baraing 3 (4, 86, 90+1), Senteang 4 (14, 15, 78pen, 84,), Sakrovy (17), Chanpolin (23), Noron 2 (54, 67), Sovann 3 (71, 72, 76), Muslim 2 (81, 85).