Crown's new faces win

PPCFC v Albirex, back row, LtoR: Sokleng, Makara, Pisa, Thierry, Boris, Obadin. Front: Yaneat, Da, Polo, Sokthorn, Usarphea - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown 3 Albirex Niigata 2 (Friendly).
PPCFC coach Sam Schweingruber used this afternoon's practice match at RSN Stadium, to give match-time to eight players on trial, mixed in with some of his regular senior team. The plan got off to a great start when Leng Makara headed home the first goal from close range after 7 minutes, from Odion Obadin's headed pass and Chhom Pisa's deep cross. Just three minutes later, Thourng Da's run and pass set up Sor Polo, a winner of the Division 1A championship with Sihanoukville, and he slotted the ball neatly under the oncoming goalkeeper for number two. Crown kept the Albirex keeper busy with goalbound attempts from Makara and Thierry, while Sim Vutha rattled the home cross-bar with a 25-yard drive. Da cleared from under his bar at the start of the second period before Va Sokthorn broke into the box but was denied by the keeper. In the 17th minute of the second of the 3x30-minute periods, Crown added a third as Pisa linked with Prom Yaneat to set up Sokthorn and he fired in a well-worked goal. There was time for Polo and Makara to both be denied by the Albirex stopper before the visitors pulled a goal back, against the run of play. A poor challenge from behind by Pisa allowed Nov Sosela the opportunity to reduce the arrears from the penalty spot on 56 minutes. Albirex scored a second on 73 minutes, with a snap-shot from the edge of the area but Schweingruber made more changes to tighten up and George Bisan broke clear only to have his shot palmed aside. Orn Chanpolin sent a 25-yarder skidding through a forest of legs and then Bisan will wonder how he didn't score after being put through, with his final touch being toe-poked over the cross-bar by a defender. Crown deserved the victory though made heavy weather of it in the latter stages of the match. Crown's trialists were: Sor Polo, Eung Sokleng, Nhett Run Samnang (all Sihanoukville), goalkeeper San Usarphea, Hour Lavy (both CMAC), Lous Chaly (Battambang), Prom Yaneat (Western U), Lee Jung Bin (South Korea).
PPCFC v Albirex: Usarphea (Soksela 61), Pisa, Da (Sokleng 71), Boris, Obadin (Yaneat 75), Thierry (Lavy 31 (Titchhy 75)), Yaneat (Bisan 51), Makara (Chaly 61), Sokthorn, Sokleng (Jung Bin 31 (Chanpolin 75)), Polo (Samnang 61). Goals: Makara (7), Polo (10), Sokthorn (47). 3x30 minute periods.