Sokumpheak double

2 goals from Kouch Sokumpheak set Crown on their way this afternoon

The word from Bangkok is that Phnom Penh Crown got off to the best possible start to their 5-day training stint in the Thai capital, with a 5-1 win over Thai Division 2 team Nonthaburi this afternoon. Kouch Sokumpheak gave Crown the lead on 11 minutes though Nonthaburi levelled a minute later. Leading from the front, Sokumpheak restored Crown's lead a few minutes before the interval. Sun Sopanha put Crown firmly in control with a goal three minutes after the restart, before Sok Pheng added a 4th ten minutes later and substitute Tes Sophat rounded it off in the 83rd minute.
Getting the job done and done well will have pleased coach Bojan Hodak ahead of their opening Hun Sen Cup matches in early January. "I am happy that our finishing improved over recent matches," said the Croatian coach after the game. The Crown team were without their Nigerian imports whilst their opponents fielded at least half a dozen foreign players. Crown now meet Thai Premier League side Osotspa Saraburi on 29 December at 4pm.
PPCFC line-up: Bunchhay (Visokra 45), Narith, Vanthan (Dara 45), Tiny (Sovan 78), Sothearith, Narong (Sophat 78), Sopanha (Virath 80), Chaya (Ratana 69), Borey, Pheng (Ratanak 78), Sokumpheak (Virak 60).