Time for study

PPCFC v TriAsia, back row, LtoR: K Chhaya, Senteang, Chanvuthy, Sovann, Baraing, Sakrovy. Front: Sodavid, Chansopheak, Noeut, Nuron, Rozak - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy 0 TriAsia B 8 (Friendly).
Playing against adult teams is the Phnom Penh Crown Academy's way of toughening up their youngsters for the season ahead, especially if the team gets the thumbs up to enter the FAM-Frenz U-16 Asean Champions Trophy later this year. However, on occasions it won't go their way and that's what happened with the match in this morning's friendly against a TriAsia B-team. Four goals in each half for the full-time professionals was a lesson for the Academy to learn, especially the turnover of possession from which the Japanese-backed club profited. With experienced striker Friday Nwakuna leading their line, TriAsia pressed from the start and made their pressure pay with the opening goal on 18 minutes. A second quickly followed on 24 minutes and it was at that point that Suon Noeut had Crown's first shot on target. Nwakuna netted his first on 28 minutes, but Mat Nuron should've done better with only the keeper to beat and then Chhuot Senteang smashed a shot against an upright with six minutes of the half, remaining, after a great move down the left flank. TriAsia scored their fourth just before the break. With their usual passing game not clicking into gear and losing possession in important areas, it was a wake-up call for the Academy U-16s.

TriAsia continued where they left off as a Seut Baraing clearance cannoned in off an attacker's body, twelve minutes into the 2nd half, and Nwakuna netted a second four minutes later. Senteang escaped his marker, rounded the keeper but stood on the ball as he shaped to shoot, Noeut fired wide on two occasions and Kim Chhaya's low drive was saved at the second attempt. To round-off the match, TriAsia scored two more in the last two minutes, the latter a hat-trick solo goal for Nwakuna, as Crown were left to lick their wounds and learn from the experience. Orn Chanpolin was sidelined with a groin strain.
PPCFC v TriAsia: Chanvuthy, Chansopheak, K Chhaya, Sovann (Muslim 36), Baraing (Sovann 83), Sodavid, Sakrovy (Piphop 60), Rozak, Noeut (Nuron 86), Nuron (Ponvuthy 63), Senteang (T Chhaya 79). Subs not used; S Samnang, V Samnang, Phearath, Chanchav, Titchhy.

The TriAsia B-team starting line-up