Crown collect 2 Championships

PPCFC U-17s line-up: Back Row LtoR: K Chhaya, Titchhy, Senteang, Sovann, Soksela, Chanpolin (capt). Front Row: Sodavid, Noeut, Chansopheak, Piphop, Phearath - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy U-17 0 Svay Rieng 0 - PPCFC won 4-3 on penalties (Cambodia U-17 Youth League Play-off Final).
The two Cambodia Youth League play-off Finals took place today with the Phnom Penh Crown Academy teams collecting the Championships in both the U-17 and U-15 categories for a memorable double success. The first final was in the U-17 age group and Crown coach Bouy Dary included three players who were also set to feature in the U-15 match that would follow immediately after. Orn Chanpolin took the captain's armband for the final and Ouk Sovann made it through a late fitness test after a groin strain. Just three minutes into the game and Chhuot Senteang set up Suon Noeut but Sem Mesa was out quickly to block the danger. Long Phearath tried his luck from distance but without success, as did Kim Chhaya with a free-kick that sailed over. Next to test Mesa was In Sodavid as Crown edged possession but gave the ball away too much. Svay Rieng's best chance came on the half-hour and Keo Soksela got in the way with a 1-handed save low down to smother the danger. Sovann, booked for a clumsy tackle a little earlier, sent in a free-kick late in the half which Mesa held and the keeper then produced a brilliant tip over to deny a long-range effort from Phearath in time added on. Honours even at the half-time break.

Svay Rieng threatened briefly but sent their breakaway effort wide of the mark. On 66 minutes a Sovann free-kick found its way to Senteang, twelve yards out and in space, but he rushed his finish and sent it wildly over the cross-bar. Eight minutes from normal time and with both teams finding it hard going to establish any rhythm, Svay Rieng went down to ten men when a second yellow card was shown for a high foot on Pov Ponvuthy. The recipient had only been on the pitch for seven minutes and was booked twice in that time as Svay Rieng tried to kill the game. Vat Samnang shot weakly at Mesa and in the fourth minute of injury time, the province team were fortunate to escape a second red card as Senteang was scythed down as he raced through a static defence. Referee Tuy Vichheka blew for full-time and without enough time before the next final for extra-time the game went into a penalty-kick decider. Svay Rieng's Ravann took the opening kick and Soksela, diving to his right, pulled off a great save. Chanpolin placed his kick to the left and scored to put Crown ahead. Ratanak stepped up and sent his spot-kick over Soksela's head for 1-1 and late substitute Seut Baraing netted for Crown, though Mesa got a hand to it. Dinarong levelled it at 2 apiece before a moment of heartbreak for Pov Ponvuthy, as his kick was saved by Mesa. Svay Rieng got their noses in front when Chansereyvong sent Soksela the wrong way only for Sodavid to score with confidence to make it 3-3. Once Harit sent his spot-kick ballooning over the bar, Ouk Sovann stepped up and calmly slotted his penalty into the corner and set off on a celebration run that was ended when his teammates smothered him. Crown had won 4-3 on penalty kicks to collect the Championship, which they had topped after the regulation season as well. Baraing ran from the field to take his place as the captain of the U-15s team, who were already lined-up and ready to enter the pitch, as his teammates continued their jubilant celebrations. That would continue at the presentation ceremony when the U-17s Most Valuable Player was collected by Orn Chanpolin, the Best Goalkeeper went to Keo Soksela, Bouy Dary collected Best Coach, the team received the Fair Play trophy and Chanpolin was a happy chappy as he lifted the Championship trophy aloft to the cheers of his teammates.
PPCFC U-17s v Svay Rieng: Soksela, Chansopheak, Phearath, Sovann, Titchhy (Baraing 76), Chanpolin, Sodavid, Noeut (V Samnang 78), Chhaya (Nuron 89), Piphop (Ponvuthy 62), Senteang. Subs not used: Chanvuthy, T Chhaya, Chanchav, Sakrovy, Rozak. Bookings: Sovann, Titchhy. MOTM: Sovann - cool under pressure and a title-winning penalty. Goals (pens): Chanpolin, Baraing, Sodavid, Sovann.

The PPCFC U-17s celebrate their success immediately after the final whistle