Honour restored

The PPCFC U-17s confirm their identities

Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-17s took the scalp they were gunning for with a 1-0 victory over their Cambodia U-17 Youth League rivals Svay Rieng U-17s this morning at the BBU field. A 2-1 defeat to the same opponents at the beginning of November had put them on the back foot in the title race but today's revenge win swings them back on course. And it was a deserved success too. Crown coach Bouy Dary made four changes to his usual line-up and one of the additions, Kim Chhaya put his team in the lead after ten minutes. Sraing Titchhy had already flashed a shot wide before Suon Noeut was fouled 25 yards from goal. Chhaya's left-foot free-kick sailed into the top corner for a stunning opener, leaving former Crown keeper Sem Mesa clutching at straws. Ouk Sovann sent another free-kick an inch or two wide of the upright and Titchhy, in an unfamiliar forward role, popped a header over the cross-bar from Noeut's cross. In Sodavid's threaded pass gave Titchhy another chance, but Mesa snuffed out the danger. Svay Rieng's only threat came from a couple of dodgy back-passes on a bone-hard surface. Eight minutes after the break, Titchhy was felled by Mesa as he raced onto Chhaya's pass and a penalty kick was the outcome. However, Titchhy blasted his spot-kick against the cross-bar and the danger passed. Chhuot Senteang replaced the injured Sovann and slotted into the back-four, just ten minutes into the second-half, playing with an assurance that belied his three months out with a broken collarbone. A clearance hit Men Piphop and fell kindly onto Noeut's head, only for Mesa to react to fingertip the effort over the bar. Orn Chanpolin and Piphop sent goal-bound efforts into the arms of Mesa before the keeper dived full length to push another Chanpolin long range shot around the post. It was the last action of the match, as Crown earned themselves a deserved three points and bragging rights for a few weeks.
PPCFC U-17s: Soksela, Chansopheak, Phearath, Sovann (Senteang 55), Baraing, Chanpolin, Sodavid (Muslim 93), Piphop (Ponvuthy 86), Noeut, K Chhaya (Nuron 69), Titchhy (Sakrovy 71). Subs not used: Chanvuthy, T Chhaya, Chanchav, V Samnang. Bookings: Titchhy, Baraing. MOTM: Baraing - always in the right place. Goal: Chhaya (10).

PPCFC U-17s v Svay Rieng. Back Row LtoR: Chhaya, Titchhy, Baraing, Chanpolin, Sovann, Soksela (capt). Front Row: Piphop, Noeut, Chansopheak, Phearath, Sodavid - click to enlarge