Academy come unstuck

PPCFC line-up, back row, LtoR: Titchhy, K Chhaya, Senteang, Chanpolin, Baraing, Sovann. Front: Sodavid, Piphop, Nuron, Chansopheak, Chanvuthy - click to enlarge

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy youngsters took on the challenge of meeting the recently-crowned Cambodia Soccer League adult champions, Prey Veng, at the RSN Stadium on Sunday morning. The RSN pitch was covered in sand with the intention of making the pitch softer and to encourage more grass growth. Kim Chhaya went close with a free-0kick but it was Prey Veng who made their experience count, hitting the foot of the post and then scoring a couple of goals in quick succession, in the 18th and 24th minutes. Undaunted, the Academy, not playing as fluently as usual after a month without a game, reduced the deficit on 35 minutes when Orn Chanpolin was strong in the tackle, fed the ball through for Sath Rozak to race through and finish coolly. With changes at half-time, Crown were caught napping just two minutes into the restart as Prey Veng extended their lead. Sraing Titchhy was put through but foiled by the keeper, both Titchhy and Chhaya blasted over the bar before the Academy got a second goal, five minutes from the end. Chhaya won the ball and set up Men Piphop, whose shot took a deflection, but it was their last hurrah as Prey Veng held out for a victory.
Academy line-up: Chanvuthy (S Samnang 46 (Soksela 77), Chansopheak (Phearath 46), K Chhaya (Muslim 46), Baraing (Sovann 73), Sovann (Chanchav 25), Chanpolin (Sodavid 63), Sodavid (Sakrovy 46 (Chanpolin 86)), Titchhy (Piphop 63), Piphop (Rozak 25 (K Chhaya 77)), Nuron (Ponvuthy 35 (Nuron 65)), Senteang (Titchhy 80). Goals: Rozak (35), Piphop (85).