Next up, Western

Phnom Penh Crown look to get their Metfone C-League championship defense back on track this afternoon when they face the newcomers Western University at the Olympic Stadium at 4.30pm. Following Wednesday's defeat at the hands of Preah Khan Reach, it's imperative that David Booth's charges come out fighting and show their mettle against a team they've already beaten a couple of times in friendly pre-season warm-up matches. Those results mean nothing in comparison to today's league encounter, and Crown will want to recapture the invincibility that they showed in last season's league campaign, losing only once all term.

Booth selects from a 22-man squad for the game but will miss combative midfielder Henry Asonibe, who is out with a foot injury. In his place comes another foreign import, Melvin Tarley, with bags of experience at the top levels of American football, for his first taste of C-League action. Whether Booth puts him in from the start, or uses him from the bench, remains to be seen. Also included are Sok Pheng, back from injury and goalkeeper Sam Chamrouen. For Western, they will be seeking to add to their opening day point they gained with a meritable goal-less draw against the Army, even though they lost Etim Esin to a red card and he'll miss today's game. Crown will have just a few days rest before they take on their rivals Naga Corp on Wednesday (28 March) with a 3pm starting time.
Crown squad v Western Uni: Ary, Chamrouen, Dara, Vanthan, Seyha, Rady, Da, Tiny, Sovan, Lika, Sophanal, Sothy, Sovanna, Suhana, Sokumpheak, Borey, H Pheng, S Pheng, Makara, Obadin, Frimpong, Tarley.

The Crown Academy boys have their own date with destiny at 1pm at the Army Stadium, when they meet Preah Khan Reach in the U-14 Barclays Capital ISF Champions League final. They were head and shoulders above everyone else in the normal league matches, winning 10 out of 10 matches and scoring 120 goals without conceding one, but the league is decided by way of a play-off and that final is taking place today. The PPCFC B-team are also in the final of the U-14 Premier League and meet Blue Flag, also at 1pm.