Crown finish on top

PPCFC v Western. Back Row LtoR: Chanvuthy, Sovann, Chhaya, Titchhy, Sodavid, Chanpolin. Front: Senteang, Piphop, Muslim, Noeut, Phearath(capt)

Result: PPCFC Academy U-17s 7 Western Uni 1 (Cambodia U-17 Youth League).
Another victory for the Academy U-17s against a determined Western Uni team from Pursat at the BBU field this morning. The win leaves Crown at the top of the league table with 21 points from eight games and a superior goal difference over Svay Rieng, who are on the same points tally. However, the championship will be decided by play-offs, which will begin on 22 December, rather than first past the post. Western put up stiff resistance but faced a Crown team determined to continue their push for the title. Ouk Sovann's free-kick was held by the keeper who then smothered Kim Chhaya's attempt, whilst Men Piphop's shot was blocked on the line. In Sodavid gave his team the lead on 18 minutes when he took a touch to a clearing header and fired his shot through the crowd from 20 yards out. Six minutes later and Chhout Senteang was sent clear by Chhaya and he kept his composure to roll his shot wide of the onrushing keeper, for number two. Another Senteang effort was stopped on the goal-line before Chhaya raced onto a Ken Chansopheak pass and chipped the third from 25 yards out with ten minutes left of the 1st-half. The Western keeper was called into action again to block another Chhaya effort before three minutes from the break, Piphop finished off a Chansopheak run and cross with a routine finish. Half-time and 4-nil ahead, and coasting.

Sodavid weaved his way through the Western defence just after the restart but somehow missed the target. Senteang did better on six minutes when he moved onto Suon Noeut's pass and finished easily. Looking a bit rusty after his long lay-off, Senteang fired weakly into the keeper's hands before he made sure of his hat-trick on 68 minutes, calmly slotting home from Sath Rozak's through ball. Six minutes from time, Sentang netted his fourth after Sodavid's bye-line pull-back was served on a a plate. Two minutes later a quick breakaway caught Crown by surprise and Western grabbed a late consolation goal. There was still time for Noeut to screw an easy chance wide and then thump the ball against the cross-bar from Senteang's pass.
PPCFC v Western: Chanvuthy, Muslim, Phearath (Chansopheak 14), Sovann (Rozak 64), Titchhy (Baraing 26), Chanpolin, Sodavid, Piphop (T Chhaya 70), K Chhaya (Sakrovy 58), Noeut, Senteang. Subs not used: Soksela, Chanchav, Ponvuthy, Nuron, V Samnang. Bookings: None. MOTM: Senteang - 4 goals. Goals: Senteang (24, 51, 68, 84), Sodavid (18), Chhaya (35), Piphop (42).