3rd time lucky

PPCFC v TriAsia, back row, LtoR: Chanpolin, Chanvuthy, Baraing, Senteang, Sovann, Titchhy. Front Row: Piphop, Noeut, Chansopheak, Phearath, Sodavid - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown Academy 3 TriAsia 'B' 0 (Friendly).
The Crown Academy U-16s had a score to settle. Two previous friendly matches against TriAsia 'B' had ended in defeat with honours after good performances but defeats nonetheless. With the youngsters in preparation for the forthcoming Asia Champions Trophy, recent performances have been getting better and better and today's RSN Stadium clash culminated in a deserved 3-0 success against the full-timers of the C-League new moneybags club, TriAsia. Crown just edged the possession in the 1st half though goal opportunities weren't exactly overflowing. Orn Chanpolin ballooned well over early on and the Academy had two free-kicks blocked by the defensive wall as they made most of the offensive moves. Sraing Titchhy's early ball over the top saw Chhuot Senteang round the keeper but his goal attempt was cleared off the line, and after Ouk Sovann's free-kick was easily collected by the keeper, Chanpolin had another attempt, which was smothered by the TriAsia keeper, who was the busiest player on the park. Then two minutes before the break, and Crown broke the deadlock. A superbly flighted pass by Chanpolin left two Crown players in space behind the defence and it was Men Piphop who walked the ball over the goal-line. TriAsia brought on 1st team regulars Nwakuna Friday and Seng Kosen at the break and missed a headed sitter at the start of the second half. Crown also made changes and continued to push forward. Twelve minutes into the half and the visitors were fortunate to still have eleven players on the park. Their keeper Keo Dara caught the ball outside his box as Senteang challenged but the referee only awarded a free-kick, when a red card was a distinct possibility. Sovann stepped up and curled the direct free-kick from 22 yards over and around the wall and into the net. Justice was served. Just a minute later and Crown were in seventh heaven, extending their lead to three. A quick-fire move on the left flank involving Suon Noeut and In Sodavid put Senteang in on goal and his first-time drilled shot nestled in the far corner. It was no more that Crown deserved for their tenacity and positive attitude. More substitutions followed and one of them, Svang Samnang, between the sticks for Crown, saved with his feet as Kosen tried to find a route back for TriAsia. It didn't happen and Crown ran out 3-nil victors, in a match which showed how far they have come in recent months. 
PPCFC v TriAsia: Chanvuthy (S Samnang 62), Chansopheak (Muslim 49), Phearath (Titchhy 49 (T Chhaya 87)), Baraing, Sovann, Chanpolin, Sodavid (Ponvuthy 76), Piphop (Rozak 49), Noeut (Chanchav 86), Titchhy (Nuron 34 (V Samnang 79)), Senteang (K Chhaya 81). Bookings: Titchhy. MOTM: Baraing. Goals: Piphop (43), Sovann (57),Senteang (58).

The TriAsia starting line-up, who went down 3-0 to the PPCFC Academy