Crown back in the groove

Sun Sopanha, one of the PPC players who will return to training after a hectic two months with the national team (pic: Nick Sells)

The players of Phnom Penh Crown step back onto the training ground tomorrow morning, just a little more than two months since they successfully claimed the Metfone C-League championship with a 4-3 play-off win over Preah Khan Reach at the Olympic Stadium. For some of the players there has been no break, as they were involved in the Vietnam-based training camp and then the qualifying matches for the national team's Suzuki Cup attempt. Following the C-League success, both manager Makara Be and coach Apisit Im Amphai parted company with the club and headed for pastures new in Thailand. The club is expected to announce a new management team, along with a number of new faces in playing personnel in the next couple of weeks. Contract negotiations are currently taking place and the club want to have everything on a firm footing before announcing the new set-up. The team's first friendly action will be on 13 November at 3.30pm when they face a touring Khmer Select XI from France at the Olympic Stadium.