Tigerish Crown

1st half starters for PPCFC. Back LtoR: Piphop, Sodavid, Samnang, Chanpolin, Baraing, Sovann. Front: Ponvuthy, Phearath, Muslim, Chansopheak, Rozak.

Honours were even at the end of an enthralling youth game this morning as the Phnom Penh Crown U-14 Academy team met their older and stronger opponents from Preah Khan Reach's U-16 squad at RSN Stadium. With a two year advantage, the PKR team easily towered over most of the Crown youngsters and used their height and weight advantage to try to knock the Academy off their game. It didn't work. Crown stuck to their game-plan of quick incisive passing and frustrated their opponents by retaining possession and tackling tigerishly when they didn't have it. Playing three halves of thirty minutes each, Crown had the pick of the opening session, with Ken Chansopheak and Yeu Muslim bringing out good saves from the PKR goalkeeper. With much of the game being played in the middle third, chances were at a premium until halfway through the third period. Svang Samnang made a good save in the Crown goal but from the resultant corner, PKR scrambled the ball over the line to open the scoring. Undeterred, Crown pushed forward and with just five minutes remaining, Orn Chanpolin and Chhuot Senteang combined to feed Long Phearath and his accurate left foot drive found the bottom corner for the leveller. And that's how it stayed, 1-1. An excellent game for the football purists with PKR playing their part but they were unable to quell the enthusiasm and battling qualities of the Crown Academy youngsters.

2nd half starters for PPCFC. Back Row LtoR; Sovann, Sakrovy, Chanpolin, Titchhy, S Samnang, Senteang. Front: K Chhaya, Chanchav, Neout, T Chhaya, V Samnang.

Chhuot Senteang lines up a shot on goal

Cam I have a rest please coach? Pov Ponvuthy in deep contemplation

Yue Muslim hangs on the coach's every word