Five in five

PPCFC U-15s. Back row, LtoR: Samnang, Chhaya, Saphy, Chanchav, Sovannaroth, Kakada (capt). Front: Chanmony, Piphop, Piseth, N David, Noeut - click to enlarge

If a team is thrashing all opposition in every game, it comes as a shock when they play below par and that was the case in today's Cambodia U-15 Youth League encounter for Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15s at Tuol Kork. They started their game against SSCA, aka Civil Aviation, at half pace and by half-time were a bit fortunate to be at 1-1. After a tongue lashing by coach Bouy Dary, they came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half, but it was a timely reminder that results aren't guaranteed, you have to earn the right to winning. The best chance of the opening exchanges went to SSCA and Svang Samnang had to be alert to save with his feet, but it was Crown who took a 16th minute lead. Men Piphop's free-kick rebounded off the SSCA keeper and Suon Noeut, developing the goalpoacher's nose for goal, fired his second shot into the roof of the net. Just under ten minutes later and SSCA levelled with a quick breakaway to give the Academy youngsters something to think about. It was only the second goal Crown had conceded in five matches. On the half hour, Noeut met a Kim Chhaya free-kick with a deadly finish, but the linesman's flag ruled it out. The striker had the last chance of the half when he finished tamely from another Chhaya cross.

With their coach's half-time blast ringing in their ears, Crown came out on the front foot and drew ahead within four minutes. Mao Piseth's initial shot was blocked by the keeper but skipper-for-the-day Sin Kakada followed up to score. Noeut and Chhaya, twice, had further opportunities to increase the lead before Noeut got on the end of a Piphop chipped free-kick and diving full length, guided his header into the corner, on 62 minutes. Eleven minutes later and Piphop got his name on the scoresheet with a lovely half-volley from Chhaya's left-wing cross. It took another three minutes for Noeut to complete his hat-trick. Using his speed off the mark, he raced onto Piphop's pass and finished with the confidence of a player who has scored 34 goals in five matches. Not bad for a defender. Two more goals in the last couple of minutes sealed a 7-1 win in Crown's favour. Seut Baraing put Chhaya in space and his first-time lob nestled in the net with a minute to go. Sub San David had the last laugh, two minutes into time added on, when the tiny midfielder arrived at the far post to tap home a neat move involving Piphop and Thy Ronaldo. That made it five wins in five games for the Academy U-15s, with goals scored at 86 and conceding just two.
PPCFC v SSCA: Samnang, Chanmony, Sovannaroth, K Chhaya, Saphy, Chanchav, Piphop, N David (S David 83), Kakada (Baraing 59), Piseth, Noeut (Ronaldo 78). Bookings: None. MOTM: Noeut. Goals: Noeut 3 (16, 62, 76), Kakada (49), Piphop (73), K Chhaya (89), S David (92).  

The PPCFC U-15s line up before the kick-off

Kim Chhaya swings in a free-kick against SSCA

Man of the moment is Suon Noeut with 34 goals in 5 matches