TriAsia a bit too strong

PPCFC U-16s, back row, LtoR: Chanpolin, Sovann, Senteang, Chanvuthy, Titchhy, K Chhaya. Front: Baraing, Rozak, Piphop, Chansopheak, Noeut - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-16s 1 TriAsia 'B' 3 (Friendly).
The Academy U-16s gave a good account of themselves this morning at RSN Stadium against a strong TriAsia B team that included first-team regulars after the break. The older Academy boys are gearing themselves up for the Asia Champions Trophy which begins in May, with a series of matches against adult opposition. In their last meeting, TriAsia B won the encounter 8-0. Today's game was very different. The Academy started brightly with Kim Chhaya sending a low drive goalwards before a mazy Sraing Titchhy run was ended when his shot was blocked. In a lightning move, Suon Noeut's wayward pass was whipped forward by TriAsia and they headed in the opening goal on 13 minutes. They nearly repeated it on the half hour when Men Piphop was tackled and Kung Chanvuthy stopped the shot with his feet. As the first-half came to a close, Titchhy crossed for Chhuot Senteang to fire a shot agonizingly close and then Noeut tried a curler from the edge of the area which the TriAsia keeper held onto at full stretch. Seven minutes after the break, Titchhy found himself in space at the far post but blazed his shot into the side netting. Chanvuthy made another good stop with his feet from Japanese import Kazuaki Ban, but was powerless to prevent Friday Nwakuna waltzing in TriAsia's second goal on 67 minutes. A minute later, Crown caught their opponents napping as Mat Nuron controlled neatly and poked the ball over the top for Senteang to run on and lob the TriAsia keeper with ease, to make it 2-1. However, a slack clearance by Chanvuthy gave the advantage back to TriAsia and they made Crown pay with a third and decisive goal on 72 minutes. A hard-working performance from the Academy youngsters against the physically stronger full-timers, who beefed up their line-up after the break to make sure of the win.
PPCFC v TriAsia B: Chanvuthy, Chansopheak, K Chhaya, Baraing, Sovann, Chanpolin, Rozak (Sakrovy 62), Piphop (Ponvuthy 77), Titchhy (Nuro 65n), Noeut, Senteang (Phearath 87). Subs not used: Muslim, T Chhaya, Chanchav, V Samnang. MOTM: Baraing. Goal: Senteang (68).