Chonburi too strong

Back Row LtoR: Chanpolin, Senteang, Baraing, Titchhy, S Samnang, Sovann. Front Row: Ponvuthy, Nuron, Piphop, Chansopheak, Sodavid. Picture courtesy of Chonburi FC.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy went down 3-0 to Chonburi FC in Thailand, the same team who beat them 4-1 in Phnom Penh last weekend, in the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy, this evening. Its been a tough week for the Academy having lost to Chonburi last Saturday, they flew to East Timor via Bali on Sunday, lost 4-1 in Timor on Tuesday and then flew to Thailand on Thursday, in the lead up to this match. A tough schedule for anyone, let alone an U-15 team. Undaunted, coach Bouy Dary and his team were looking forward to getting revenge on Chonburi, one of the competition's outstanding favourites. He kept faith with the team that lost against Timor-Leste except bringing in keeper Svang Samnang in place of Sem Mesa. Chonburi took the lead on 26 minutes when Kritthanaphong held off two challenges and blasted the ball past Samnang. Crown held out and repelled the home team until the 76th minute when Sittichok got his head to a long ball forward and it sailed over Samnang's head into the corner. Two minutes later another long ball undid the defence, Kritthanaphong raced clear and rounded Samnang before rolling the ball into the net. A Seut Baraing free-kick was finger-tipped around the post by Chakhon in the home goal but the match was already won and PPCFC Academy will return to Phnom Penh with no points from their visits to Timor-Leste and Thailand. They play host to Timor next Saturday, KO 4pm at Army Stadium.
PPCFC line-up: S Samnang, Chansopheak, Baraing, Sovann, Titchhy (K Chhaya 75), Sodavid (Rozak 55), Chanpolin, Piphop (Sakrovy 45), Ponvuthy (Dara 88), Nuron (V Samnang 88), Senteang. Subs not used: Mesa, Phearath, T Chhaya, Noeut, Chanchav. Bookings: None.

Mat Nuron is not giving up the ball that easily. Picture courtesy of Chonburi FC