A draw and departures

PPCFC vs Army, back row, LtoR: Sothy, Srin, Sokthorn, Boris, Thierry, Ary. Front: Da, Sokheng, Tola, Suhana, C Pisa - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown 2 Army 2 (Friendly).
In this practice match played at the Army Stadium, Crown led with a goal by Va Sokthorn just after the half-hour and should've added more before the break. Sos Suhana tried a lob early on that was easily held, whilst Chhom Pisa headed over from a good position from Touch Sokheng's corner. Another corner gave Ouk Sothy a sight of goal, but he blasted over the bar. As they continued to press, Um Tola's headed pass put in Sokthorn but he screwed his shot wide of the target. Sokthorn nearly returned the favour as he burst into the box but Tola couldn't find the final touch in the six-yard box. Chey Chetra entered the fray and looked lively from the outset. His corner was headed across the face of goal by Sothy before his quick sprint along the left flank set up Sokthorn for a smart finish into the far corner for the opening goal on 31 minutes. Coach Sam Schweingruber made five changes at the break and Adriano Pellegrino was prominent in Crown's forays forward in the second-half. The Australian sent a 30-yard drive well over, before his cross was fired the wrong side of the far post by Sokthorn. Tola also had a good opportunity but sent his shot straight at the keeper. A trip by Odion Obadin gave Army the equaliser from the penalty spot, courtesy of Leng Narin and the post, on 71 minutes, and three minutes later, the home side took the lead. Benefiting from a quick breakaway, Army caught Crown cold in defence and went in front. Crown's fightback began with another 30-yard snap-shot by Pellegrino which the goalkeeper juggled to safety, and then he set up Hour Lavy, but his touch deserted him in the box. Bin Thierry's flighted pass sent Sor Polo into the area but he lifted his drive over the cross-bar. With two minutes remaining, Pellegrino's dangerous free-kick was headed powerfully against the cross-bar and over the goal-line by Hour Lavy for a deserved leveller. There was still time for Thierry's free-kick to cause some consternation in the Army goalmouth but the match ended all-square at 2-2.
PPCFC v Army: Ary (Usarphea 73), C Pisa (Lavy 73), Da (Makara 46), Boris (Lee 73), Srin (Obadin 46), Thierry (S Pisa 46 (C Pisa 87)), Sothy (Thierry 73), Suhana (Tola 46), Sokheng (Pellegrino 46), Sokthorn (Polo 73), Tola (Chetra 27). Booking: Obadin. Goals: Sokthorn (31), Lavy (88).

It was also confirmed today that Kouch Sokumpheak and Khim Borey have left Phnom Penh Crown in order to join Nagaworld for a substantial fee. Sokumpheak (27) and Borey (25) joined Crown before the start of the 2011 season, though Borey was loaned to Thai team Sisaket for a season. Sokumpheak won the league championship on two occasions with PPCFC after 4 years with Khemara Keila. Borey spent 5 years with the Army team before joining Crown, and both players have represented Cambodia in international football on numerous occasions. Full-back Hong Pheng joined Boeung Ket earlier this week.