World Soccer Magazine on PPCFC

World Soccer Magazine is the unrivalled authority on the game of soccer around the world. The best writers, analytical features and the inside-track on domestic and world football have made World Soccer an institution. In it's latest edition for September, Christian Radnedge looks at PPCFC's fight to clear its name after our ban from the AFC Cup, by taking our case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. CAS upheld our appeal and we will enter the AFC Cup early next year.

Final game ends in defeat

PPCFC vs Svay Rieng, Lost 2-3, back row, LtoR: Soksela, Kim, Thierry, Aymard, Jang, Boris. Front: Sothy, Pissa, Sokpheng, Baraing, Makara.

Wednesday 24 August 2016: Phnom Penh Crown 2 PKR Svay Rieng 3 (Metfone C-League Round 18).
Crown came away from Svay Rieng disappointed at not bringing back at least a point from their final league game of the 2016 season. They deserved it with a battling performance. The visitors began on the front foot and had Svay Rieng pinned back for the opening five minutes but it was the home side who took the lead in the 10th minute when Hoy Phallin fired past Keo Soksela after Obi Moneke had created the space. Kim Hyeon Woo netted only to be flagged offside and then somehow screwed his shot wide from close range after Keo Sokpheng’s weaving run on the left. On 29 minutes Prak Mony Udom scored an unstoppable free-kick from 23 yards to put the home team further ahead. The game continued to provide talking points when Kim was felled twice in the penalty box, Bin Thierry got behind the defence but blasted high and wide and Sokpheng’s free-kick was scrambled wide at the foot of the post. An even first half had seen SVR take their chances to lead 2-nil.
Jang In Yong continued to be a threat but blasted over on the restart, while another Udom free-kick had Soksela scuttling to his near post. A scuffle between Kok Boris and Lee Jongho saw both players cautioned, though two SVR substitutes that joined in the commotion went unpunished. Thierry failed to connect with any power when Sokpheng’s corner fell to him but Crown were back in the game on 67 minutes. Jang’s bustling run between three defenders wrong-footed the SVR defence and Sokpheng dispatched the pull-back with accuracy. PPCFC were on top at this point and a Thierry free-kick was back-headed goalwards by Jang only for the home keeper to produce a flying one-handed save. The home side then broke quickly and a foul on the edge of the area gave Udom the opportunity to find the net with a second free-kick that Soksela couldn’t keep out. A third goal against the run of play was a tough pill to swallow. Crown rallied, with Anthony Aymard heading over and a Thierry corner going through a host of bodies in the six-yard box. Crown did pull a goal back, four minutes into stoppage time, when Boris finished off a powerful run with an accurate shot from distance, but it was too late to repair the damage as the season came to a close with defeat.

PPCFC Head coach Sam Schweingruber gave his views after the final whistle. “Our defensive organisation wasn’t quite right at the start, they threatened us with their speed and it took us a while to adjust. We went 1-nil down but we had quite a few chances, especially one for Kim, so you would’ve expected us to go to half-time with a better result. Quite a few moments when on a good day we would have scored more goals and actually won the game. Fortunately for SVR, Udom scored two good free-kicks that helped them get the win. The first free-kick, there’s absolutely nothing you can do to stop that. No goalkeeper can stop that one. The second free-kick, we have to do better and we will re-evaluate that with our goalkeeping coach. As for SVR’s third goal, that was not really fair as we’d had a few good attacking moves before that, and that goal hurt us.
Jang had good speed and touches today, very good to see. Sokpheng was good as well, a neat finish and good moments with his movement and intentions. The attitude of Baraing was very good, he’s a 16-year-old boy but his energy and intentions to attack is very encouraging as that kind of attitude will help us to be champions again in the future.”

Crown Appeal to CAS upheld

Phnom Penh Crown Club Statement : Dated 24 August 2016:

Phnom Penh Crown Football Club is very pleased to announce that the club will be allowed to participate in the 2017 AFC Cup following our appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

On 20 May 2016 the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) announced that PPCFC was refused admission to compete in the 2017 AFC Cup, despite being the Champions of the Metfone Cambodian League in 2015.

PPCFC appealed against the AFC decision to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland on 3 June 2016.

Following a hearing at the CAS headquarters in Lausanne, Switzerland on 19 August 2016, CAS upheld the club’s appeal, dismissed the decision of AFC, and ordered AFC to allow PPCFC to participate in the AFC Cup 2017.

PPCFC will consequently be admitted to participate in the AFC Cup Playoff Stage, likely to be held in February 2017.

PPCFC would like to express its appreciation to the CAS Arbitration Panel for their integrity and fairness and to its lawyers, Mr David Casserly and Mr Jose Luis Andrade, for their utmost professionalism and tireless efforts in this matter on our behalf.

Andy Brouwer
Press Officer
PPCFC
RSN Stadium, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

MCL Results

Metfone C-League Results:
(Fri) AEU 1 (Sopanha) PKR Svay Rieng 3 (Samoeung, Kipson, Tola)
(Sat) Western 1 (Rany) Nat Police 5 (Osei Tutu 3, Dina 2)
(Sat) CMAC 0 PPCFC 4 (Bisan 2, Aymard, Kim H-W)
(Sun) Army 1 (Chol) Cambodian Tiger 0
(Sun) Boeungket 0 Nagaworld 0.

Win over CMAC

Match Report: PPCFC 4 CMAC United 0 (Metfone C-League):
Two goals in each half saw Crown deservedly collect the points tonight at Olympic Stadium. George Bisan headed PPCFC in front with their first real attack, with Keo Sokpheng's center clearing the last man and Bisan directing his header inside the far post on 16 minutes. Sokpheng blasted high after scurrying into the area and another Bisan effort was cleared off the goal-line. Jang In Yong headed over and Bisan was denied with a flying save by the CMAC keeper before Crown scored their second goal ten minutes before the break. Anthony Aymard outjumped the defence and guided his header into the net from Sokpheng's inch-perfect corner.
After the break, Chhom Pisa's snap-shot was cleared off the line before Crown's teenage goalkeeper Keo Soksela foiled CMAC's Va Bottroi on two occasions with fabulous reflex saves. PPCFC continued to spurn good opportunities through Bisan and Sokpheng before Soksela saved at full stretch from Timothy Okereke. Sub Kim Hyeon Woo raced clear from the half-way line only to scuff his shot, and was then tripped as he shaped to shoot, but not in the eyes of the referee. In the final minute and with CMAC visibly tiring, Keo Sokngon and Yeu Muslim set up Bisan for his second headed goal of the game. Three minutes into time added-on, Sokngon released Kim and he drilled the ball in from twelve yards for number four. There was still time for the upright to deny Bisan his hat-trick with the last kick of the game. 4-0 and a job well done.
PPCFC line-up, back row, LtoR: Soksela, Jang, Aymard, Thierry, Bisan, Boris. Front: Chanpolin, Pisa, Makara, Sokpheng, Baraing.

PPCFC head coach Sam Schweingruber's thoughts after yesterday's success over CMAC: "We were hoping to score some goals and keep a clean sheet, so our objectives were achieved. We also expected to dominate the 2nd-half as the other team tired and at the end we should've scored more goals. All in all it was one of those performances where it didn't all go great, we had a few chances, some good moments and I'm happy that we are scoring more goals in the air, three more today, one of the things we talked about - but a few other things we have to do a lot better against Boeungket next week to get a win."

Watch the video highlights from PPCFC's 4-0 success over CMAC at Olympic Stadium on the club's YouTube channel @ https://youtu.be/YQQ81gHNHJw

In the final moments of PPCFC's 4-0 victory over CMAC, Keo Sokngon suffered a leg injury which required him to attend a medical clinic straight from the stadium. We will know more about the extent of the injury tomorrow. We all wish him a speedy recovery.

One of our prize winners from the most recent Facebook competition - to win a PPCFC jersey signed by Keo Sokpheng - was at Olympic Stadium to receive her jersey. Congratulations to Leap Derrella.

Academy win

Result: PPCFC Academy U-14 4 Next Step 1 (Friendly).
In a game of 3 x 25 minute halves, Siem Reap's Next Step took the lead ten minutes into the second period with a breakaway goal. In the third period, Crown made their fitness and superiority count after Lim Pisoth headed against the bar. On 55 minutes, Pisoth's 20-yard free-kick curled into the top corner for the equaliser. Three minutes later, his pass allowed Ros Darapich space to fire his team ahead. Sin Kakada's cameo performance was topped off with a fine solo goal on 61 minutes, before Ky Rina finished with ease, on 67 minutes, to give Crown a 4-1 success.
PPCFC starting XI, LtoR: Rina, Sochea, Sovanmakara, Pisoth, Sokly, Laiheang, Darapich, Nakha, Navin, Vutha, Roza.

Booysen to return

Last season’s joint top goalscorer and fans’ favourite, Shane Booysen, is nearly five months into his rehabilitation after a serious ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) operation. Shane suffered the injury to his knee in the first minute of the match with National Police on 26 February. The operation to both knees took place on 13 April at the Sports Science Institute in Cape Town. One knee incision was to use ligament tissue to repair his ACL on the other knee. Shane had to use a wheelchair and stay off his feet for two weeks before being allowed to use crutches to walk. The doctor allowed him to begin movement exercises five weeks after the operation, which included knee, thigh and hamstring strengthening and cycling in the gym. Whilst the usual recovery period for an ACL can be between 6 and 9 months, it depends on the rehabilitation and the discipline of the player involved. The latest doctor’s report is positive as far as Shane is concerned, though he still has up to four more months of physical therapy work ahead of him. Shane is looking forward to returning to Phnom Penh before the end of this month, and was keen to say a big thank you to his family and friends in his hometown for their support and encouragement, as well as the messages of support that have flooded in from Cambodia while he has been recovering at home. “Being out of action for a whole season is frustrating and to be honest, staying mentally strong and focused isn't easy but with the support of my family things went smoothly and I'm becoming stronger every day. I can't wait to come back and get stronger because I know my role in the team is important, so focusing on next season is my main priority.” Everyone is looking forward to Shane's return to PPCFC. Picture of Shane as he walks out for the National Police match (by Oung Pannhapich).

U-13s come home

The Cambodia U-13 national team have returned from China after competing in the Soong Ching Ling Cup China-Asean Youth tournament. The 4 PPCFC Academy boys (pictured; Laiheang, Makara, Ladin, Phanny) arrived earlier this morning and informed us of the following results:
Cambodia vs China Lost 1-2; vs Thailand Lost 1-2; vs Laos Lost 0-7; vs Indonesia Lost 1-5; vs Vietnam Won 5-0 (Cambodia finished in 9th place). Yim Makara scored 5 goals and Sem Phanny 2 goals. Cambodia also won the Fair Play award.

MCL Fixture changes

Metfone C-League FIXTURE CHANGES:
As we expect a large number of PPCFC's younger players to be involved in the AFF U-19 Youth Championships being held in Vietnam in September, the FFC have agreed for Crown to change their remaining fixtures to the following, which means we will finish more than 2 weeks before everyone else:
Sat 6 Aug vs CMAC @ Olympic Stadium 6pm
Sun 14 Aug vs Boeungket @ Olympic Stadium 6pm ##
Wed 17 Aug vs Western @ RSN Stadium 6pm
Sat 20 Aug vs AEU @ Olympic Stadium 6pm
Wed 24 Aug vs PKR Svay Rieng @ Svay Rieng 6pm ##
(## amended fixtures).
The MCL fixtures are due to be completed on Sat 10 September.
Photo courtesy of Oung Pannhapich.

Next Step

Our friends from Next Step FC in Siem Reap will be coming to Phnom Penh tomorrow to train and play two matches against PPCFC teams. On Friday (5 August) at 8am on the RSN training pitch, Next Step U-16s will face a PPCFC Community U-14 team. On Saturday (6 August) at 8am on the RSN training pitch, The PPCFC Academy U-14 team will meet the visitors. Both promise to be entertaining matches. Next Step are providing a base for young footballers in Siem Reap to learn their trade at their school of excellence, both boys and girls, and have already enjoyed success by winning the U-14 ISF title. We wish them an enjoyable trip to the capital.

Comp winners

COMPETITION WINNERS:
We had a FAN-tastic response to our competition to win a signed PPCFC jersey by our trio of Cambodia National Team players - Bin Thierry, Keo Soksela and Keo Sokpheng. Thank you to everyone for joining in the fun.
We have chosen at random 1 winner for each jersey, who they named as their favourite player, and the lucky winners are:
Ve Haa [pictured above] - (Bin Thierry)
Jee Lin - (Keo Soksela - it's his birthday today!)
Leap Derrella - (Keo Sokpheng).
The winners have been invited to collect their prizes from Keo Sokpheng himself at half-time during this evening's MCL match against the Army at RSN Stadium (kick-off 6pm).
Thank you again for supporting PPCFC and Cambodian football. Pictures below by Vandy Snapper.

Results MCL

Sunday and Monday night results from the Metfone C-League. The program has been changed so we are no longer in tandem with round 14 as we should be, primarily as Western were allowed to go to a university tournament in Singapore.
(Sun) National Police 1 (Dina) CMAC 0
(Sun) Boeungket 5 (Kazuki, Bata, Gbenga 2, Vathanaka) Cambodian Tiger 1 (Masato)
(Mon) Nagaworld 5 (Sovannara, Kelechi 2, Omokafe, Manorotin) AEU 1 (Njoku)
(Mon) PPCFC 0 Army 1 (Kim K-H).

Entertainment

A reminder that at tonight's match - PPCFC vs Army, kick-off at 6pm at RSN Stadium - we will welcome many Korean nationals as they celebrate 'Korea Day' at the game. PPCFC's two South Korean players, Jang In Yong and Kim Hyeon Woo, will be joined on the pitch by the quartet of North Korean players in the Army team. Cambodia's Korean community will provide entertainment before the match (a female and male singing & dancing group, Superior F from K've Entertainment), during half-time (an exhibition of Kyeong Mu Do martial arts) as well as providing free samples of sparkling rice wine in a celebration of all-things Korean.
A big thank you to two of our competition winners - Jee Lin (pictured) and Ve Haa - for coming to tonight's match and collecting their prizes, signed PPCFC jerseys, from our suspended striker Keo Sokpheng at half-time. We had a FAN-tastic response to our latest competition and thanks to Sokpheng for joining in the presentation. Watch out for our next competition, coming soon.

Crown gunned down by Army

Match Report: PPCFC 0 Army 1 (Metfone C-League).
Crown suffered a 1-nil defeat in a closely-contested game at RSN Stadium this evening, as Army continued their quest for the title. The goal that separated the teams came on 62 minutes as Kim Kyong Hun, lying on the ground, poked the ball into an empty net after coming off best in a challenge with goalkeeper Keo Soksela. The Crown stopper, on his birthday, pulled off a great 1-handed save from the lively Choe Myong Ho after ten minutes of the game's start. At the other end Kim Hyeon Woo was inches away from sending a header on target but it was the visitors who shaded possession in the first-half and saw drives from Kim and Chreng Polroth just clear the cross-bar.

Crown began the second-half on the offensive as Jang In Yong's low drive was held by goalkeeper Um Vichet, who also grabbed George Bisan's shot on the goal-line, moments after a goal-mouth scramble saw Pov Ponvuthy and Kim Hyeon Woo denied by a wall of Army defenders. Army got their noses in front and Soksela was forced to make fine saves from Reung Bunheing and Choe, as Army stayed firm to take the points and keep their title challenge alive. For Crown, they have five games remaining to improve their league position, which is currently sixth. 
Above: PPCFC line-up, back row, LtoR: Soksela, Kim, Thierry, Aymard, Bisan, Boris. Front: Jang, Makara, Ponvuthy, Baraing, Sodavid.

Head coach Sam Schweingruber gave his view of PPCFC's performance against Army in last night's 1-0 home defeat. "We played a good team who were organised and fit and for most of the game, were as good as us. Even though we are unhappy with the result, its not that we deserved to win the game. I feel we took some risks in our selection and how we wanted to play, and after some changes in the second-half, for the first ten minutes we dominated and had 3 chances that we could've scored. If we had scored, we would've won the game but we couldn't score, and in a pretty even game we unfortunately lost. For the goal I have to look at the replay, it looked touch and go. It reminded me of the goal we conceded against Army in a friendly and I showed that to the team so we didn't concede it again, so I'm obviously disappointed with the goal that decided the game."

The video highlights from PPCFC's 1-0 defeat to Army this evening are on the club's YouTube channel @ https://youtu.be/rXhpeHWEEEA

Away defeat

Result: PPCFC Academy 2 Kirivong U-19s 5 (Friendly).
The Crown Academy suffered a rare defeat on their travels to Kirivong this afternoon, after taking a 3rd minute lead with a fine individual goal by Mat Sakrovy. A catalogue of defensive errors allowed the home team to draw level and take a commanding 4-1 lead by the half-time interval. Despite 8 changes for Crown after the break, Kirivong extended their lead by taking advantage of a woeful clearance before Oun Ravuth pulled back a consolation goal late on for PPCFC with a good finish.
PPCFC line-up, back row, LtoR: Sakrovy, Chanchav, Senteang, N David, Chandara, Chetra. Front: Piseth, Bony, Pheng, Piphop, Chansopheak.

Birthdays in Augut

August will be a busy month for birthdays amongst the PPCFC playing staff. First, and on the 1st, will be goalkeeper Keo Soksela, who celebrates his 19th birthday on the same day we play Army and having this week been part of the Cambodia NT squad. South Korean import Jang In Yong will be 24 years old on the 5th of the month. The rest of the birthdays belong to our Academy youngsters: 5th - Ky Rina and Chea Chandara; 8th - Kim Chanthy; 11th - Chea Saoyi; 29th - Lim Pisoth; 30th - Tin Ladin. Happy birthday in advance to all of our players with a special day in August, and not forgetting Sin Kakada, who is 16 years old today.

Charity auction

At tonight's Gala Dinner to celebrate the successful conclusion of the IFC International Soccer 9s Tournament, for over-40s, held at RSN Stadium all day today, with 18 teams from 7 countries and over 300 players taking part, a PPCFC jersey signed by the 1st-Team squad was auctioned for an amazing US$7,200 with the proceeds going to charity. 
Kantha Bopha Children's Hospital was the tournament's chosen charity and a fabulous total of over US$70,000 was raised. A gift by the organisers to Rithy Samnang, the Crown President, of a Michael Owen-signed jersey was generously handed back for auction and raised no less than US$20,000. The veterans tournament was won by the Century Lucky Star team from China. Congratulations to the International Football Club of Kuala Lumpur on a very successful tournament and a large sum of money raised for the children of Cambodia.

PPCFC head coach speaks ahead of Monday's big clash at RSN Stadium with Army.
https://www.facebook.com/PhnomPenhCrownFC/videos/1316456585048529/

Balmy effect

The PPCFC squad are pictured before today's training session at RSN Stadium with supplies of Neotica Balm for the relief of muscular aches and pains. Thanks to the Thainakorn Patana Company for their support to PPCFC. In the gym before training begins are Anthony Aymard and George Bisan, putting in some additional hard work on weights. Most of the squad will be heading to Olympic Stadium after training to watch the Cambodia vs Singapore international friendly, to show their support for the national team and their three colleagues in the squad, Thierry, Sokpheng and Soksela.

Torrential rain, a delayed kick-off and even going down to 10-men after a red card didn't stop the Cambodia national team from recording a hard-earned 2-1 victory over visiting Singapore at the National Olympic Stadium in tonight's international friendly match. Chan Vathanaka and Tit Dina scored the goals in the first-half, with PPCFC's Keo Sokpheng in the starting line-up. Bin Thierry and Keo Soksela were unused substitutes. 

Korea Day

The PPCFC vs Army match on Monday evening (1 August), kick-off at 6pm at RSN Stadium, will see an influx of Korean nationals at the match as they celebrate 'Korea Day' at the game. PPCFC's two South Korean players, Jang In Yong and Kim Hyeon Woo, will be joined on the pitch by the quartet of North Korean players in the Army line-up. The Korean community in Phnom Penh will provide entertainment before the match (a female singing & dancing group, Superior F from K've Entertainment), during half-time (an exhibition of Kyeong Mu Do martial arts) as well as providing free samples of sparkling rice wine in a celebration of all-things Korean.

Family support

We want to say thanks to the families of our Academy boys who give their sons great support in their journey to become professional footballers. A great example is the family (pictured) of 12-year-old Tin Ladin, one of four PPCFC Academy youngsters who flew out this morning with the Cambodia U-13 team that will play a festival in China. The family group travelled from their home in Battambang to send off their son at the airport and like the families of our other Academy boys, they provide important family support for their son's football development. A big THANK YOU to the families from the staff at PPCFC. Also pictured are the four PPCFC Academy players, LtoR, Chhoy Laiheang, Yim Makara, Tin Ladin and Sem Phanny, before they board their plane to Beijing.

The three PPCFC players - Bin Thierry, Keo Sokpheng and Keo Soksela - will be part of the Cambodia National Team squad who take on Singapore in an international friendly match at the Olympic Stadium tomorrow night (Thursday), at 6.30pm. Another large crowd is expected to watch the match at the stadium and the game is also live on BTVNews. Both teams have important players missing, which will give a chance for others to show their talent. 
Also tomorrow, 4 of the PPCFC Academy will travel to China to play in the U-13 Soong Ching Ling Cup until 4 August with the Cambodia U-13 national team. They are goalkeeper Chhoy Laiheang, Yim Makara, Tin Ladin and Sem Phanny with one player from our community team, Noreak Titya, joining them. Good luck to the Cambodia team.

In the Vietnamese news

PPCFC are in the Vietnamese media at Bongda @ http://www.bongda.com.vn/chuyen-chua-ke-ve-hlv-phnom-penh-crown-bi-de-doa-thu-tieu-p2-d353723.html
and @ http://www.bongda.com.vn/chuyen-chua-ke-ve-clb-danh-gia-nhat-vuong-quoc-campuchia-phan-i-d353673.html
Their reporters visited RSN Stadium whilst they were in Phnom Penh reporting on the recent AFF U-16 Youth Championships.

Cambodia U-14 results

Congratulations to the Cambodia U-14 national team who played their opening match in the AFC U-14 Regional Football Festival in Brunei this morning. With PPCFC Academy boys Ky Rina and Bros Vutha in the starting line-up, they recorded a 3-1 win against the Philippines. The third Crown Academy youngster in the squad, Chum Sokly, was among the substitutes. The U-14 team will play 3 more matches in the tournament: vs Timor-Leste (27 July), vs Malaysia (29 July) and Laos (30 July). At U-14 level the festival focuses on development, playing games against other national teams and football education rather than competition results, which are of secondary importance.
(27 July) In their second game in the AFC U-14 Regional Football Festival in Brunei this morning, the Cambodia U-14 national team defeated Timor-Leste 11-0. Top scorer was PPCFC's Ky Rina (jersey no.25), who scored 5 goals. Bros Vutha (jersey 24) from PPCFC also started the match. Chum Sokly was on the substitutes bench. The Cambodia U-14s have two more matches in the festival: vs Malaysia (29 July) and Laos (30 July). We should remember that at U-14 level the festival focuses on development, experience and educational values, rather than competitive results. 
(29 July) After last night's celebrations for the Cambodia national team and their 2-1 success over Singapore, there was disappointment this morning for the Cambodia U-14 national team, who lost 5-1 to Malaysia in their third AFC U-14 Regional Football Festival match in Brunei. This came after victories over Philippines (3-1) and Timor-Leste (11-0). Their final match in the festival, which focuses on development rather than results, will be tomorrow against Laos. PPCFC's Ky Rina, Bros Vutha and Chum Sokly are part of the national team squad.
(31 July) The Cambodia U-14 national team ended their AFC U-14 Regional Football Festival in Brunei with a defeat to Laos yesterday, 13-0. It was their second defeat after they won their opening two matches in a four-game series. PPCFC's Ky Rina, Bros Vutha and Chum Sokly were part of the national team squad, who will now return to Cambodia after their experiences on the international stage.

Sam on NT win

Head coach Sam Schweingruber's views on his team's 3-2 success against the Cambodia National Team last night. "The objectives are always different for friendly games than when league points are at stake. We were hoping to be more compact and to press at certain times. It didn't happen often enough - we want to get into the habit as when we did it, we did it well. It was a topic in training this week. And we scored 3 goals so that's good.
In the first-half we were a bit intimidated to start with, not good enough in possession, though it was an amazing headed goal, beautiful, as we had hardly any chances the whole half. I expected better. And a very disappointing goal to concede at the start of the second-half, but it happens at all levels. I was pleased with our response, we had chances in the air, we scored three headed goals and I'm satisfied that what we wanted to happen, worked against good opposition." In the picture, Sam speaks to his players at the final whistle.
Watch the video highlights from PPCFC's 3-2 victory over the Cambodia National Team at RSN Stadium on the club's YouTube channel @https://youtu.be/Zs7XfWxaKyE

Competition winners

Three of our ACADEMY 5 competition winners - Heng Sophanith, Kosol Naro Lan and Nova SilentZz - receiving their signed PPCFC jerseys from our Academy players - Yue Safy, Mao Piseth, Sin Kakada and Yet Chetra - who represented the Cambodia U-16 national team with such distinction during the recent AFF Smart U-16 Championships. They received their prizes at half-time during Crown's 3-2 win over the Cambodia National Team yesterday. Thanks to everyone who joined in the competition, and if you didn't win, try again as we will have more opportunities in the near future.

On opposing sides

Teammates on opposing sides as Kok Boris and Bin Thierry captained their respective teams in yesterday's encounter at RSN Stadium. Both players have made the journey from France to play in Cambodia at the highest level and as comrades-in-arms in winning the Championship together for PPCFC, but it was Boris who will have the bragging rights for the next few weeks, after Crown's 3-2 victory in the friendly practice match.

National Team beaten

Match Report: PPCFC 3 Cambodia National Team 2 (Friendly).3 headed goals gave PPCFC a victory over the Cambodia NT who are preparing for their friendly with Singapore on Thursday. Crown's foreign contingent were the goalscorers with Kim Hyeon Woo, rising high above everyone else to powerfully head the ball home from Seut Baraing's free-kick, for the first goal on 15 minutes. That was after his compatriot Jang In Yong screwed a good opportunity across the face of goal, while Keo Soksela tipped a powerful Chan Vathanaka drive over the cross-bar at the other end. Three minutes after the home side went ahead, Cambodia were back in it when Tit Dina headed in after Vathanaka and Sos Suhana created the space.
Five minutes into the second half, Cambodia went ahead when Khuon Laboravy took advantage of a miskick and set up Keo Sokpheng for a tap-in against his club team. U-16 NT keeper Svang Samnang saved Laboravy's header at the foot of the post, before George Bisan arrived with perfect timing to power in a header from In Sodavid's corner on 63 minutes, to make it 2-2. Both teams made a number of substitutions before Crown trialist Marwin Guine was denied by Keo Soksela, who had swapped sides at the break. On 76 minutes, Bisan scored his second and Crown's third, finding space in the box to head in Leng Makara's deep cross. In time added on, Samnang protected his team's victory with a crucial save from Laboravy's shot as the home team recorded a 3-2 success.
PPCFC line-up (in red), back row, LtoR: Jang, Aymard, Kim, Makara, Bisan, Boris. Front: Sothy, Chanpolin, Baraing, Soksela, Sodavid.

Academy beat Army

Result: PPCFC Academy 7 Army U-19 2 (Friendly). 
Army took the lead after just 42 seconds of this friendly game at RSN Stadium this morning, but then experienced the full force of Crown's comeback before the interval. Sath Rozak collected a hat-trick of excellent one-touch finishes, the third goal a perfect example of first-time passing that tore open the Army defence. Mat Sakrovy also scored, as did Chea Chandara, from the penalty spot after Sakrovy was tripped. After the break, San David and Sakrovy scored before Army's late consolation, in a game dominated by the home team.
PPCFC line-up, back row, LtoR: Chanchav, Panha, V Samnang, Sakrovy, Chandara, Bony. Front row: Chansopheak, Piphop, N David, Rozaak, Punlork.

Cambodia U-16 AFF reports

The AFF Smart U-16 Championship came to a close tonight with the Cambodia U-16s losing 3-0 to Thailand in the 3rd Place Play-off at Olympic Stadium, to end the tournament in 4th position. An excellent showing by Cambodia over the course of the competition, in which they made the semi-finals for the very first time and attracted near-capacity crowds, who in return gave them great support. Congratulations to the whole team and of course our 5 PPCFC Academy players who were involved - Svang Samnang, Mao Piseth, Yue Safy, Sin Kakada and Yet Chetra.
The winners of the Championship were Australia, who drew 3-3 in the final with Vietnam, and then kept their nerve to win the penalty shoot-out 5-3, as they did in the semi-final. Everyone at PPCFC sends their congratulations to the Australian squad, who played against our Academy before the tournament got underway (we won 3-2) and trained at RSN Stadium during their stay. Well-deserved champions. [Picture by FFC].
Other Cambodia U-16 reports:
(July 22) Despite a gutsy, fighting performance from the Cambodia U-16 national team, they lost 1-0 to Vietnam in the AFF Smart U-16 Championship semi-final last night, in front of nearly 60,000 at the Olympic Stadium. PPCFC's goalkeeper Svang Samnang was the man-of-the-match with a fabulous performance between the posts, but despite pulling off some great saves, he couldn't prevent Vietnam's only goal after 28 minutes. The Cambodia team should feel proud of their achievement in performing so well at the championships, and have one more game, the 3rd Place Play-off, on Saturday, against Thailand, at 3.30pm at Olympic Stadium.

(July 19) The Cambodia U-16 national team created history tonight, with a 3-0 victory over Timor-Leste, guaranteeing a semi-final spot in the AFF U-16 Championship for the very first time. They will play against rivals and neighbors Vietnam on Thursday. The match proved to be a great night for the 4 PPCFC players involved in the starting line-up. Svang Samnang started his first game in goal and was rock steady for the 90 minutes. Yue Safy took his captain's responsibility very seriously and stepped up to fire home the opening goal from the penalty spot after 7 minutes. Sin Kakada created havoc with his set-pieces and Mao Piseth crowned his first starting berth with two second-half goals, the second of which was an absolute scorcher. Congratulations to our youngsters and their teammates on achieving this piece of history. 
(July 17) The Cambodia U-16 national team were defeated 6-0 by Thailand last night at the Olympic Stadium in the AFF Smart U-16 Championship, watched by a crowd of around 40,000. Their final group game will be against Timor-Leste tomorrow (Tuesday) with a 6.30pm kick-off and will be televised live by MyTV. We wish the team success in their quest for glory - a victory will take Cambodia into the semi-finals for the first time in their history. Five PPCFC Academy players are in the Cambodia squad; Svang Samnang, Yue Safy, Yet Chetra, Sin Kakada and Mao Piseth. 
(July 14) The Cambodia U-16 national team continued their winning ways last night, beating Brunei 2-0 at Olympic Stadium, in their second group match in the AFF Smart U-16 Championship. Crown Academy's Yue Safy captained the team, which also included Sin Kakada (number 12). On the bench were our own Mao Piseth, Yet Chetra and Svang Samnang. The U-16 team photo is courtesy of FFC facebook. Cambodia have two matches left to secure their passage through to the semi-finals and will play Thailand on Sunday 17 July and Timor-Leste on Tuesday 19 July. Both matches will kick-off at 6.30pm at Olympic Stadium and will be televised by MyTV. Support the Cambodia U-16s in their quest for glory!
(July 13) The Cambodia U-16 national team play their second AFF Smart U-16 Youth Championship game tonight, 6.30pm at Olympic Stadium against Brunei, after a 3-1 win over Laos in their opening match of the tournament. Sin Kakada scored one of the goals and will be looking to get on the scoresheet again tonight. The other PPCFC Academy players in the squad are Yue Safy, who is the NT captain, Mao Piseth, Yet Chetra and Svang Samnang (who has a wrist injury). We wish all the squad continued success. Cambodia NT picture courtesy of FFC facebook.
** Everyone at PPCFC sends their best wishes for a full recovery to Leng Makara and family, after their youngest son underwent surgery at Kantha Bopha hospital, and our sympathy to Keo Soksela and his family, whose grandmother passed away recently.

Back to duty

It's about time I got back to giving a daily commentary on all things football. I've been way too busy for many many months to tap away at my keyboard for hours on end, but its important to publicise what's happening around me, or else who will ever know the crap that goes on.

Last minute

We've just played the first game of the second-half of the Metfone C-League. We are 12 points off the leaders after a goal-less draw with Cambo Tiger. And that in a nutshell sums up our season. Off the pace and off the goal-trail. Lots of reasons for it and how long have you got, but there's little point in crying over spilt milk, we have to grin and bear it, and get on with it. Clubs are allowed to change 2 foreigners and 3 locals in between the 1st and 2nd rounds of the season but at the 11th hour, the federation extended the deadline to the end of this month, as they said some clubs didn't have enough time to get new players, even though everyone knew about it for months in advance. We have been looking at many foreigners over the last few months, a few have been in on try out, unsuccessfully, others we've seen on video and tons more just offered by email and CVs. We have settled on two new faces, but their registrations are taking an age to complete, so we haven't announced them yet. Some names have got out but I won't confirm anything until we have all the t's crossed and the i's dotted. You never know we might just change our minds at the last minute, like the federation.