Mixed bag

PPCFC v BBU, back row, LtoR: Obadin, Obeng, Sokumpheak, Hutchinson, Srin, Yaty. Front: Boran, Sothy, Pheng, Makara, Borey - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown 1 BBU 1 (Friendly).
Without the injured George Bisan (shoulder), Bin Thierry (foot) and Yok Ary (shoulder), Phnom Penh Crown took on Build Bright United in a pre-season practice match this afternoon at RSN. Included in the line-up for Crown was a new face, striker Raphael Obeng from Ghana, who has been on trial in Vietnam. Crown's Leng Makara had the best of the opening exchanges, but fired into the hands of BBU stopper Mak Theara. Obeng had his first effort on goal after ten minutes, sending his shot across the face of goal and wide. On 19 minutes BBU took the lead after a free-kick conceded by Liam Hutchinson on the edge of the penalty area. Takahito Ota, a former Crown player, managed to get his shot through the defensive wall, giving Sou Yaty no chance to save it. BBU pushed on and Yaty twice saved to keep the score at 1-nil at the half-time break. The second-half was all Crown, who dominated from the restart, after making seven changes A breakaway by Kouch Sokumpheak left Neou Sosela with a shot on goal but his rising drive just cleared the cross bar. Twenty-two minutes into the half and Khim Borey found Sokumpheak scampering through the middle and he slotted the ball wide of Theara for the equaliser. Moments later Thourng Da fired a shot through a melee of players which the keeper fumbled but Jeong Ho Kim's rebound effort was ruled out for offside. Sos Suhana went close a couple of times, denied by the keeper on both occasions, Kim was also unlucky twice after getting to the ball but steering it wide and then powerfully heading inches off target. The South Korean trialist saw one last effort miss the foot of the upright by a whisker as Crown dominated but couldn't find the finish they deserved.
PPCFC v BBU: Yaty, Srin (Sosela 46), Pheng (Da 26), Hutchinson (Boris 46), Obadin (Dara 46 (Makara 61), Sothy (Suhana 46), Sokumpheak, Borey, Boran (Sokheng 46), Makara (Pheng 46), Obeng (Kim 46). Booking: Srin. MOTM: Sokumpheak - active and alive. Goal: Sokumpheak (67).

Result: PPCFC 2 AEU 1 (Friendly).
Following the 1-1 draw with BBU, Crown's next game followed immediately afterwards at RSN, allowing all the squad members to get good game-time spread across the two matches. AEU had the best chance in the opening half but hit the foot of the post. For Crown, Raphael Obeng started his second match in quick succession and sent a disappointing shot weakly at the keeper, while Long Boran had a clear sight of goal but his header hit the back of a defender from Neou Sosela's deep cross. Another seven substitutions at the interval and Crown began much brighter from the restart. Jeong Ho Kim made his intentions clear early on, heading inches wide after getting his head to a long ball before the keeper arrived. Touch Sokheng had a 20-yard drive well held and then fired wide before Chhom Pisa was denied by a good 1-handed save. Om Tola also went close before Crown deservedly took the lead on 78 minutes. Sokheng fed Kim and his 22-yard strike found the corner of the net for the opener. Four minutes later and Odion Obadin held his head in his hands as he presented AEU with a simple equaliser with an ill-timed back-pass that gave Sou Yaty no chance. Crown quickly spared Obadin's blushed and in less than a minute had re-taken the lead. Thourng Da broke down the left flank, passed inside to Obeng and though his initial shot was saved, he followed up to steer the ball home. It was no more than Crown deserved for all their constant 2nd half pressure.
PPCFC v AEU: Yaty, Sarak, Srin (Dara 46), Boris (Da 46), Obadin (Pheng 46 (Obeng 77)), Suhana (Sothy 46), Pisa, Tola, Boran (Sokheng 46), Sosela (Makara 46 (Obadin 77)), Obeng (Kim 46). Booking: Kim. MOTM: Kim - all-round performance. Goals: Kim (78), Obeng (83).

PPCFC v AEU, back row, LtoR: Obeng, Obadin, Pisa, Boris, Srin, Yaty. Front: Sarak, Sosela, Boran, Tola, Suhana - click to enlarge