Before the action starts

Kouch Sokumpheak, looking tough and ready for action

I love the excitement of an international football match, the nerves and adrenaline pumping through everyone's veins, the way the players sing the national anthem, albeit very quietly, the pre-match build-up, the match commissioner asking the cameraman to move at least one step backwards, a sigh of relief that the team-sheet was typed up in English, and the after-match press conference when the questions were so inane that I know the previous national coach would've shot the reporters down in flames. Here are some pre-match photos with a distinct Phnom Penh Crown flavour from the Cambodia versus Macau AFC Challenge Cup qualifier played yesterday at the National Olympic Stadium to give you a taster. More to follow.

PPC's Tieng Tiny, a veteran of international football

Sun Sopanha, who assisted with two of Cambodia' goals yesterday

San Narith, slotted in at left-back instead of his usual midfield holding role

PPC's Sok Pheng was one of the substitutes for Cambodia yesterday

Crown's number 1 Peng Bunchhay is number 2 behind Ouk Mic for the national team

PPC teammates Tieng Tiny and San Narith in their pre-match warm-up strip

These are the newly-installed PPC Academy boys attending their first international match in their club colours