U-17s cruise into final

PPCFC U-17s, back row, LtoR: Sakrovy, Baraing, Chanpolin, Sodavid, Soksela, Titchhy (capt). Front: Senteang, Nuron, Chansopheak, Phearath, V Samnang - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy U-17s 5 Army 0 (Cambodia U-17 Youth League Semi-Final).
The Crown U-17s dominated from start to finish in this Youth League play-off semi-final and deservedly take their place in next Sunday's final against rivals Svay Rieng, who beat Western Uni in the earlier tie played at the BBU pitch. In Sodavid kicked off the domination when he scored the opening goal in the fifth minute. Individually, Sodavid was excellent throughout, and he was on hand to fire through the crowd after both Chhuot Senteang and Mat Sakrovy had their efforts charged down. The Army keeper came to his team's rescue on numerous occasions as Crown peppered his goal. Senteang and Sakrovy were foiled, Mat Nuron's effort was deflected wide and a vicious strike from Sodavid was pushed over the cross-bar. Seut Baraing and Sraing Titchhy sent free-kicks inches wide, Sodavid weaved his way through but poked his shot wide before the referee finally pointed to the spot as Sakrovy was felled, despite waving away two much more obvious appeals. Sodavid stepped up, with 32 minutes on the clock, but saw his spot-kick saved low down. Sakrovy fired against the upright before Sodavid was tripped and Sakrovy netted confidently from the spot on 39 minutes. Exactly a minute later, Sakrovy's shot was blocked and Vat Samnang thundered his drive into the top corner for Crown's third. Nuron and Orn Chanpolin found the keeper an obstacle too hard to beat, while Senteang crashed a shot against the bar as the first-half drew to a close.

Eight minutes after the restart and Sodavid was at it again, curling a 25-yarder into the roof of the net after the ball came out to him as Senteang's shot was saved by the keeper. Two minutes later he registered his hat-trick, finishing sweetly after Nuron and Sakrovy combined well on the left flank. Senteang looped a glorious chance over the cross-bar and substitute Pov Ponvuthy saw his breakaway dash and shot stopped on the line. Sodavid weaved his way past three players but his close-in finishing let him down as he poked his effort wide of the target and in the final seconds, Nuron had a shot saved. The final score was 5-0 in favour of Crown but they should've scored more and will need to be more clinical against Svay Rieng in next Sunday's U-17 Youth League play-off Final.
PPCFC U-17s: Soksela, Chansopheak, Phearath, Baraing, Titchhy (capt) (Ponvuthy 76), Sodavid, Chanpolin (T Chhaya 73), Sakrovy, Nuron, V Samnang, Senteang (Muslim 73). Subs not used: Chanvuthy, Piphop, Noeut, K Chhaya, Rozak, Chanchav. Booked; Titchhy. MOTM: Sodavid - he was everywhere. Goals: Sodavid (5, 53, 55), Sakrovy (39 pen), V Samnang (40).