Academy success

Back Row LtoR: Sovann, Titchhy, Baraing, Samnang, Senteang, Chanpolin. Front: Sodavid, Muslim, Chansopheak, Piphop, Rozak. Click to enlarge

Phnom Penh Crown Academy finally broke the hoodoo against their rivals, Preah Khan Reach U-16s this morning, having failed to win any of the six previous encounters over the past six months. Games between the two teams are always evenly-matched but PKR had the edge in three of the matches and a draw was the result in the other three. So you can imagine the delight for the Crown youngsters, two years younger than their opponents, when the final whistle was blown at the end of this morning's match at RSN Stadium. Chhuot Senteang was a thorn in the side of the PKR defenders for the whole game and after a cat and mouse beginning, he was in the right place when the ball fell to him in the box and he tucked his shot away coolly for what proved to be the winning goal on 28 minutes. On the stroke of half-time, Senteang broke clear of his marker but steered his drive inches wide of the upright. The 2nd half was as close as the first with the best chance falling to Mat Sakrovy but his acute angle stinger was kept out by the keeper's one-handed save. It was time to celebrate for the Academy youngsters after a series of results that hadn't previously gone their way; 1-1, 0-1, 2-2, 3-3, 3-5 and 2-3 before today.

Pre-match instructions to the team from coach Bouy Dary