Gunning for revenge

Tomorrow sees the eagerly-awaited return league match between Phnom Penh Crown, currently in 3rd place, against the league leaders Boeung Ket at Olympic Stadium, KO 2pm. In April, Boeung Ket with the help of referee Yean Kivatana beat 10-man Crown 3-1 during their run of ten consecutive league wins. Those heady days are a fading memory as in recent weeks the Rubbermen have crashed out of the AFC President's Cup and the Singapore Cup and come unstuck in league games against BBU and earlier this week, a peculiar 7-5 defeat by Kirivong. As the top six clubs battle it out for the Super 4 play-off places, I'm sure no quarter will be given in tomorrow's game as Crown seek their revenge, which will be shown live on TVK channel. Crown will be at full strength if Sos Suhana's ankle knock clears up and coach Sam Schweingruber will want a victory before he travels to Vietnam for the AFC U-14 Girls Championships, as coach of the national Girls team. Meanwhile, the Crown Academy boys were scheduled to be in East Timor this weekend for the latest in the Asean U-15 Champions Trophy series of matches, but flight schedules and the need to be back for Tuesday morning's friendly against the HAGL Arsenal Academy from Vietnam, at the opening of the national football center in Tonle Bati, meant the game was a non-starter. Hopes to re-arrange the game are currently floundering, as getting to and from East Timor is not straightforward. The next Academy game in the Asean competition is against Thailand's Chonburi FC Academy next Saturday at the Olympic Stadium, KO 4.30pm. Chonburi are one of the strongest teams so it'll prove to be a tough test for the boys.