Crown held

PPCFC v Kirivong 1st half: Back row, LtoR: Obadin, Srin, Makara, Bisan, Hutchinson, Yaty. Front Row: Borey, Boran, Sothy, Suhana, Pheng - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown 2 Kirivong 2 (Friendly).
Phnom Penh Crown took their pre-season preparation on the road to Vietnam. First-up and en route was a game against Kirivong at the Teacher Training College in Takeo after a 6am start from Phnom Penh on Friday. On a pitch that wasn't helpful to a passing style of football, Crown started with a bang and scored the opener in the second minute. A quick throw allowed Sos Suhana to flick the ball onto Leng Makara and he turned on the edge of the box and let fly with a half-volley that sailed over the keeper's head and into the net. One-nil. In Vichheka got a yellow card for a deliberate trip on George Bisan as he looked set to run through unopposed, before the bobbly pitch took a hand in proceedings. A long ball out of defence from Kirivong took a wicked bounce that deceived Sou Yaty as he came out of his area to clear, leaving a simple roll in leveller for a Kirivong striker. Bisan tried his luck from 25 yards but without success before the home team took the lead on 38 minutes when a corner kick ping-ponged around the penalty box before Kirivong volleyed in from close range. The half ended when Long Boran headed well over from Makara's cross. At the break, Sam Schweingruber changed all ten outfield players, as a new-look Crown took to the field. Obi sent a shot skidding wide and Neou Sosela volleyed over the bar from a tight angle. Touch Sokheng tried an audacious lob from 25 yards that rebounded into play off the cross-bar and Chhom Pisa fired wide from Obi's headed pass. In the 2nd minute of time added on, Chea Dara and Pisa combined to put Om Tola in the box and his shot took a deflection off the keeper and wrong-footed a Kirivong defender who couldn't help himself from slicing the ball into his own net. So the final score in an otherwise disappointing match, was 2-2.
PPCFC v Kirivong: Yaty, Srin (Da 46), Pheng (Dara 46), Hutchinson (Sarak 46), Obadin (Boris 46), Sothy (Sokheng 46 (Pisa 83)), Suhana (Obi 46), Boran (Tola 46), Makara (Sosela 46), Borey (Thierry 46), Bisan (Kim 46 (Morslim 83)). MOTM: Makara. Goals: Makara (2), OG (92).