Kick-off

Head youth coach Bouy Dary giving instructions to this morning's young hopefuls

Around 100 youngsters donned their football kit and boots to take part in the first of the nationwide trials that Phnom Penh Crown are holding to uncover the cream of Cambodia's young football talent, aged 13 and under. The Olympic Stadium was this morning's venue with boys from teams in and around Phnom Penh such as BBU, Boeung Keng Kang, Navy, Army, Prek Kdam and Prey Toteng showing off their skills in order to claim one of the coveted places in PPCFC's Elite Football Academy, and making that first step to becoming a professional football player. The PPCFC youth coaches, Bouy Dary, Kao Kiry and Hao Socheat were being assisted by former national team coach Scott O'Donell in spotting the youngsters with the most potential. Sixteen more trials will be held across the provinces before the very best of the young prospects will be invited to final trials in Phnom Penh in early November. From those, 22 will be selected to join the new PPCFC full-time residential academy.

Some of the hundred or so youngsters, aged 13 and under, who took part in the first of the PPCFC trials

With the main stand of the Olympic Stadium in the background, the trials get underway