Chances go begging

PPCFC v Green Youth line-up, back row, LtoR: Titchhy, Sodavid, Sovann, S Samnang, Senteang, Chanpolin. Front Row: Piphop, Chansopheak, Noeut, Baraing, K Chhaya - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown Academy 2 Green Youth 3 (Friendly).
How the heck did we lose that game? Because we didn't take our chances, that's why. An important lesson for the Phnom Penh Crown Academy boys to learn, having totally dominated play for the opening 45 minutes, going in two goals to the good. They didn't kill off the game, made a host of changes and conceded two goals in the last fifteen minutes to lose this friendly game against the team who recently finished as runner-sup in the adult Cambodia Soccer League. It all started swimmingly well, with Chhuot Senteang and Men Piphop sending in shots that the Green Youth keeper did well to keep out. He had no chance when Suon Noeut gave the Academy a lead on ten minutes, after In Sodavid's pass put Noeut on a clear route to goal and he finished with great calm. Just eight minutes later and Crown were further ahead. A Ken Chansopheak sprint to the bye-line and pull back was hammered into the net by Orn Chanpolin from fifteen yards out. A super goal from a team on top form. Five changes at half-time appeared to backfire within a minute of the restart as Green Youth capitalised on a defensive error. Crown steadied the ship and Mat Nuron looked set to score, only to be denied by the keeper's outstretched leg, and then he set up Pov Ponvuthy, but his drive hit the foot of the upright. Four more changes left the Academy a bit disjointed and Green Youth took advantage with goals on 75 minutes and the winner three minutes from time. It was a disappointing end to a game that Crown had more than held their own, dominated possession for long periods but didn't do enough when they were on top to secure victory.
PPCFC v Green Youth: S Samnang, Chansopheak (Muslim 46), K Chhaya (Phearath 46), Baraing, Sovann (T Chhaya 73), Sodavid (Chanchav 46), Chanpolin (Rozak 70), Piphop (Sakrovy 66), Noeut (Nuron 46), Titchhy (V Samnang 73), Senteang (Ponvuthy 46). Booking: Titchhy. MOTM: Chanpolin. Goals: Noeut (10), Chanpolin (18).

The Green Youth starting line-up