Preparation & World AIDS Day

A view of today's red v blues match

Phnom Penh Crown will be heading for China next Wednesday for the Yunnan-Asean Tournament and played an internal match at RSN this afternoon. With the first-team squad and a number of Academy players mixed together, the red team beat the blues 9-3. George Bisan scored 4, Mat Sakrovy 2, Va Sokthorn 2 and a cracker from Chhuot Senteang, with Hong Pheng, Khim Borey and Sraing Titchhy scoring for the blues. The trip to China promises to be an interesting one, with Crown at the early stages of their pre-season preparation, and they will come up against some of the best teams in the region. The tournament will take place in Mangshi City in Dehong prefecture, in southwestern Yunnan province.
 
Tomorrow afternoon at 3pm, Phnom Penh Crown will welcome 120 children to the RSN Stadium to mark World AIDS Day 2014, which will be observed worldwide on 1 December, to bring attention to the global HIV/AIDS epidemic. It is dedicated to raise awareness about HIV, commemorate those who have died from HIV-related complications and to recognize the resiliency and gather support for those living with and affected by HIV. According to the UNAIDS report on the global AIDS epidemic 2013, 1.6 million people have died of AIDS-related illnesses and 35.3 million people are living with HIV. Crown have joined forces with SALT Academy, Asian Development Bank, AFC and UNAIDS for tomorrow's event. Joining our Academy boys, will be youngsters from our community football teams, and two schools in Phnom Penh, Day Star and Sovannaphumi, to mark the day.

Overseas again

The PPCFC 1st-team will be heading overseas very soon

Some very big news coming later today (actually, its below) involving Phnom Penh Crown's pre-season programme. Okay, its an overseas tournament. Happening very soon. No letting the cat out of the bag just yet. If you didn't know the Hun Sen Cup - for Khmer players only - will begin in January and the Metfone C-League season is due to start in late March.

The Phnom Penh Crown 1st-team will travel to Yunnan Province in southwest China on Wednesday 3 December to join the 2014 Yunnan-Asean International Tournament, which takes place between 5-10 December. Eight teams will be taking part in this annual tournament, including 6 from Asean countries and two clubs from Yunnan Province. The invited club teams from the Asean countries are: Muang Thong United (Thailand), Hanoi T&T (Vietnam), Yadanarbon (Myanmar), Sabah FA (Malaysia), the Laos National Team and PPCFC. "This is a great opportunity to kick-start our preparation for the forthcoming 2015 season, and the high standard of the teams invited to Yunnan will give this tournament a serious competitive edge. We will take a squad of 18 players next week and though we have only just returned to serious pre-season training, we are determined to take full advantage of this opportunity," said head coach Sam Schweingruber. Last November, Crown joined the Nanning Asean International Invitation Tournament in Nanning, China and finished in third place.

100% record maintained

PPCFC U-15s v FFC, back row, LtoR: Panha, Chetra, Savey, Safy, Samnang. Front: Kakada, Punlork, Rina, Piseth, S David, Chanmony - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-15 Academy 1 FFC Academy 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).
The Crown Academy U-15s needed a victory to maintain their 100% record in winning this year's Youth League title, and they did just that. Tiny midfielder San David was the matchwinner, with a sweet drilled shot from the edge of the box with just two minutes to go, at Tonle Bati yesterday morning. The champions held the upper hand in the first-half with the FFC keeper keeping his goal intact with some fine saves including a superb Sin Kakada lob, which he tipped onto the crossbar on ten minutes. Mao Piseth, Sok Panha and Kakada all went close to scoring before the break. After the interval, Svang Samnang in the Crown goal was called on to make three good saves and FFC hit the crossbar with a fluke rebound from the keeper's clearance, before San David settled the game in the closing stages, much to the delight of his teammates. A Nop David free-kick was cleared to David lurking on the edge of the area and his sweetly struck shot powered into the corner for a deserved winner. PPCFC U-15s: S Samnang, Chanmony, Chetra (Sovannaroth 55), Safy, Savey, S David, Punlork (N David 44), Rina, Kakada (Davann 62), Panha, Piseth. Subs not used: Rafat, Samel. Booked: S David. Goal: S David (68). 2x35 minute periods.

Double Championship Success

Captain Orn Chanpolin lifts the U-17 Championship trophy

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-17s finished their season last week and won all six league matches to register a 100% record as Cambodia U-17 Youth League Champions, for the second year running. Captain Orn Chanpolin collected the trophy with his teammates, as well as the prize money of 5 million riels ($1250) this morning at Tonle Bati. They also picked up the awards for Fair Play, Top Scorer (Suon Noeut- 13 goals) and Best Goalkeeper (Kung Chanvuthy).

Captain Svang Samnang lifts up the U-15s Championship trophy at Tonle Bati

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15s made sure of a 100% record with this morning's 1-0 win over the FFC Academy at Tonle Bati and picked up the Cambodia U-15 Youth League Championship, for the second successive season. Here, captain Svang Samnang and the team celebrate being handed the trophy and prize money of 5 million riels ($1250). Kung Rafat was awarded the Best Goalkeeper award. 

No success on the road

Cam v Singapore: back row LtoR: Pheng, Samoern, Visal, Srin, Laboravy, Yaty. Front: Udom, Chhoeun, Suhana, Pancharong, Sokumpheak (capt) - click to enlarge

The Cambodia national team, with five Phnom Penh Crown players in the starting line-up - Yaty, Pheng, Srin, Suhana and Sokumpheak (capt) - went down 4-2 in Singapore in tonight's international friendly game. All the goals in the game came in the first-half with Khuon Laboravy scoring both of Cambodia's goals. Singapore opened up the floodgates after 9 minutes before Laboravy levelled on 27 minutes with a header. Within two minutes Singapore were ahead again, only for Laboravy to pull it all-square again when he stole in at the far post. There was no stopping Singapore at that point as they pressed and netted another two before the break, with Laboravy also hitting the post. No-one troubled the scoreboard after the interval though Singapore always held the upper hand and will wonder why they didn't add more. They now go onto the AFF Suzuki Cup to defend the title they won two years ago. Cambodia return home and will now concentrate on their next competition, the SEA Games in June next year. Cambodia XI: Yaty, Pheng (Piseth 41), Samoern, Visal, Pancharong, Srin (Chanrasmey 55), Sokumpheak, Suhana (Makara 74), Udom (Tola 74), Chhoeun, Laboravy (Borey 67). Subs not used: Sophea, Daravorn, Sovan, Phallin. Goals: Laboravy 2 (27, 30).

U-17 champs

PPCFC U-17s, back row, LtoR: Chanpolin, Senteang, V Samnang, Chanchav, Sakrovy, S Samnang (capt). Front: Ponvuthy, Noeut, Baraing, Noron, Rozak - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-17 Academy 16 Civil Aviation 0 (Cambodia U-17 Youth League).
The U-17 Academy team completed their season with a thumping win over Civil Aviation, to confirm themselves as Youth League Champions for the 2nd year in succession, with 6 wins in as many matches. On Fair Play Day, despite extreme provocation from their opponents who had two players red carded in the second-half and 7 booked, Crown passed their way through the Aviation defence to run up a big score. Out injured were Kim Chhaya, In Sodavid, Men Piphop and Long Phearath, so the U-17s had just five players on the bench. In goal, Svang Samnang skippered the team and read out a few words before the kick-off on behalf of FIFA Fair Play. It took four minutes for Seut Baraing to open the scoring as he blasted a 25-yard free-kick past the keeper, after Orn Chanpolin was fouled. It would turn out to be the story of the game as CA resorted to strong-arm tactics to try to half the Academy but without success. Chhuot Senteang scored 2 goals in two minutes, as he finished off a pass from Mat Noron, and then moved onto Pov Ponvuthy's through ball and produced a deft touch over the onrushing keeper. His second was on 15 minutes. Two minutes later and Mat Sakrovy picked up the ball 25 yards out, sidestepped two defenders and let fly from distance for Crown's 4th. A superb one-two by Chanpolin with Senteang saw the midfield dynamo roll the ball in for a fifth on 23 minutes. More chances came and went as Crown totally dominated, with the CA keeper pulling out a series of good saves to keep the scoreline to five at the break.

Mat Noron opened the second-half flood of goals on 9 minutes when Sath Rozak and Baraing combined to present him with the opportunity. Ouk Sovann tested his free-kick range with a 20-yarder against the cross-bar, before Noron netted his second on 67 minutes, from a Rozak pass. Three minutes later, CA lost their first player to a red card for a crude lunge on Senteang and a minute later, Sovann made them pay as he curled a free-kick over the wall and into the top corner. With the clock just ticking on another minute, Sovann outpaced his marker, who took a kick at him, but he recovered and laced the ball into the net from wide on the left. More bookings for CA followed as they lost their heads and Sovann claimed a six-minute hat-trick, as Noron was upended and Sovann placed one of his free-kick specials over the wall and into the net. 76 minutes played. A minute later, Senteang was floored, a penalty awarded and another CA player saw red, though he initially refused to walk. Civil Aviation were making a mockery of the FIFA Fair Play event that preceded the match. Senteang lashed the ball into the net for his hat-trick. On 81 minutes Yeu Muslim slotted the ball home from Sovann's cross-field pass that put him in acres of space, and Senteang scored his fourth from Muslim's byeline cross. Senteang repaid his teammate with an unselfish pass for Muslim to tap home as Crown ran riot against a demoralised CA outfit. With four minutes to go, Baraing ventured upfield, took a pass from Noron and steered the ball into the top corner with a great strike. And in stoppage time, the full-back raced from his own half, walked the ball around the keeper and over the line for his hat-trick and the Academy's 16th without reply. Svang Samnang in goal was a spectator, though CA's tactics were questionable throughout the match and not in keeping with the FFC's focus of the day.  The Academy U-17s will be presented with their trophy and medals next Sunday.

PPCFC U-17s v CA: S Samnang (capt), Noeut (Titchhy 46), Baraing, V Samnang, Chanchav (Sovann 46), Rozak, Sakrovy (Muslim 59), Chanpolin, Noron, Ponvuthy, Senteang. Subs not used: Chanvuthy, Chansopheak. MOTM: Sovann & Baraing. Bookings: None. Goals: Baraing 3 (4, 86, 90+1), Senteang 4 (14, 15, 78pen, 84,), Sakrovy (17), Chanpolin (23), Noron 2 (54, 67), Sovann 3 (71, 72, 76), Muslim 2 (81, 85).

Unlucky 13, for CCF

PPCFC U-15s, back row, LtoR: Rafat, Safy, Chetra, Savey, Sovannaroth. Front: Kakada (capt), Punlork, S David, Piseth, Panha, N David - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-15 Academy 13 Cambodia Children's Foundation 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).
The U-15 Academy team took their league wins to 7 in 7 matches with another convincing success at Tonle Bati this morning. With head to head deciding the title outcome if a tie for top spot, the U-15s have effectively won the championship, though a win over the FFC Academy next week will make it abundantly clear to everyone. They started slowly in their penultimate game before Mao Piseth opened the scoring on 8 minutes with a typical solo effort. He won the ball, lost it, regained it and then tapped it over the line minus his boot, which he'd lost in a tackle. Three minutes later Sok Panha's cross was sliced past his own keeper by a defender at the near post. The CCF keeper was a busy boy as you might expect and he had no chance when Piseth sent him the wrong way from the penalty spot on 23 minutes. A Piseth free-kick was saved, Sin Kakada retrieved the ball and crossed it, only for a defender's hand to give the referee no alternative but to point to the spot. Piseth dribbled through a mass of legs but failed to find his final touch before San David set up Panha and he sent a delightful lob into the far corner on 26 minutes. Three minutes later and Panha returned the favour, as David sent a low shot into the corner.

The one-way traffic got a lot worse after the interval for CCF. A minute in and Kakada tapped in after San David's shot was blocked. Piseth struck the inside of the upright and then blasted over before Kakada scored his second from David's pass with 7 minutes on the clock. Four minutes later and Piseth set up Kakada for his hat-trick and he duly obliged at the second attempt. For much of the match Kakada was unstoppable and his 11-minute hat-trick was just reward for a brilliant individual performance on the right wing. Piseth added two more in quick succession, the first from Kakada's pass 14 minutes into the second period, and then sent in a 20-yard drive five minutes later to take his tally to four in the match, and 16 for the season. Stand-in coach Tom Legg, the new Academy Technical Director, made some changes and two of the new arrivals both grabbed goals. Tong Chanmony showed some neat touches on the byeline and slotted in on the half-hour, while Kie Rina came on to play in midfield and fired home from Piseth's pass, three minutes later. The final strike went to Chea Savey, pushed up from defence to get a goal, and he duly obliged with a drive from Piseth's pass. 13-0 the final score though the Academy boys will know they should've scored a lot more. Lim Pisoth had to miss the game through sickness and Vuth Sophara has left the club to return home to Battambang.
PPCFC U-15s v CCF: Rafat, Sovannaroth (Davann), Chetra, Safy, Savey, Punlork, S David (Rina), N David (Chanmony), Panha, Kakada, Piseth. Subs not used: S Samnang, Samel. MOTM: Kakada. Goals: Piseth 4 (8, 23pen, 49, 54), Own Goal (11), Panha (26), S David (29), Kakada 3 (36, 42, 46), Chanmony (66), Rina (68), Savey (71). U-15 matches are 35 minutes each way.

Defeat on the road

Azkals Phil Younghusband scores the 40th goal of his international football career. Photo - Mark Cristino/Rappler

Not unexpectedly, the Philippines proved too strong for the Cambodia national team in Manila this evening, winning 3-0 with fuel to spare in the tank. The Azkals will be heading for the Suzuki Cup next week and this was their final warm-up in front of their own fans, who would've been happy to see them two goals ahead at the break. Daisuke Sato tried his luck from long range and succeeded on 13 minutes for the home team, who doubled the lead just before the break when Manny Ott cashed in on Sou Yaty's initial block save from Younghusband's drive. Cambodia revived after the break with Khuon Laboravy striking the bar and Sos Suhana doing like-wise late on, but it was the Azkals who had the best chances and Younghusband wrapped it up with his 40th international goal in the first minute of stoppage time as he held off Touch Pancharong. 3-nil was the final scoreline and about right with the FIFA rankings of the teams poised at 129 vs 185, Cambodia will be pleased they didn't repeat their previous meeting drubbing of 8-0. Five Phnom Penh Crown players began tonight's match: Yaty, Sokumpheak (capt), Pheng, Srin and Suhana. Coach Lee Tae-Hoon will now seek something not too dissimilar from a visit to Singapore on Monday evening for the second of Cambodia's on-the-road friendlies.

Cambodia v Phils, back row, LtoR: Udom, Laboravy, Sovan, Piseth, Visal, Yaty. Front: Suhana, Srin, Pheng, Samoeun, Sokumpheak (capt). Pic by Dennis Jerome Acosta/Clutch PlaysPH - click to enlarge

On the road again

Cambodia's national football team are on their travels again. Tonight they meet Philippines in Manila for a friendly match and then hop over to meet Singapore on Monday night. The two games will give the two home teams some match practice time before they take part in the AFF Suzuki Cup later this month. For Cambodia, their failure to qualify for the cup's final stages has left them pretty much in limbo before the country's next serious competition, the SEA Games in June 2015. That's an U-23 tournament but coach Lee Tae-Hoon decided to take his full senior team on this jaunt, hoping no doubt to improve the FIFA world ranking positioning, which in August was at an all-time low of 201. They bounced back to 185 after their first batch of international matches for a long while and matches against superior ranked teams like Philippines and Singapore will help that cause.

C-License starts

Today's C-License course participants

The Phnom Penh Post carried this short story regarding the C-Licence course starting today at RSN Stadium, arranged by Phnom Penh Crown and the SALT Academy. I couldn't have put it better myself! 8 PPCFC players started the course and two of the club's Academy coaches.
Crown host C-License coaching course
A 13-day AFC C-Licence coaching course for young players and coaches will kick off at 8:30am today at the RSN Stadium in Toul Kork district. The course is being hosted by reigning Metfone C-League champions Phnom Penh Crown with support from the Football Federation of Cambodia and Battambang-based charity organisation SALT Academy.FC Instructor Shiyaz Mohamed from the Maldives will lead the course and will be assisted by Crown Academy coach Bouy Dary. “For the players, it’s an opportunity to really start on the road to becoming coaches,” Crown press officer Andy Brouwer told the Post. “We encourage them to think of their careers after football, as part of their personal career development.”

TriAsia scalped

PPCFC U-17s, back row, LtoR: Sodavid, Sakrovy, Chanpolin, Senteang, Titchhy, Chanvuthy. Front: Noron, Baraing, Sovann, Noeut, Rozak - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-17 Academy 2 TriAsia 1 (Friendly).
Fresh from their draw with Army, the Crown Academy U-17s took on another C-League team, TriAsia at RSN Stadium this morning and another impressive performance this time brought them a victory. With Orn Chanpolin in dominant mood in the middle of the park, it was winger Mat Noron who put on a man-of-the-match showing as the Academy hogged possession and passed their way through a mediocre TriAsia line-up. Chanpolin and Chhuot Senteang will feel they should've done better early on with their chances before Noron showed exactly why he has the nickname of Messi. On 18 minutes he picked the ball up out wide, cut inside two defenders, momentarily lost control of the ball before regaining it, skirted past two more and let rip with a low drive inside the post, for a memorable individual goal. Crown made sure their dominance was on the pitch and on the scoreboard with a second goal within a minute. Suon Noeut's bye-line cross fell at the feet of In Sodavid and he picked his spot perfectly from just inside the box, sidefooting the ball past a hapless keeper. Senteang sent a left-footer whistling past the upright before TriAsia caused some concern with their first real attack, striking the cross-bar from outside the area. Senteang had two more guilt-edged chances before the break, Sath Rozak sending him clear for the best of them and his two quick-fire shots were stopped by the keeper and a defender on the line.

TriAsia sent out their best line-up after the break including national teamer Suong Virak who cashed in when the Crown defence went to sleep. Kung Chanvuthy saved Dani Kouch's free-kick and sensing the danger had passed, the defence allowed Virak too much room, and he crashed the ball into the net, 7 minutes after the restart. Chanvuthy made a strong one-handed stop ten minutes later as TriAsia  posed some questions, but the Academy recovered and took back control of the ball with Mat Sakrovy's burst and low drive stopped by Hem Simay. Noron jinked his way into the box and went down under Chan Rithy's tackle but the ball squirmed out to Yeu Muslim and his shot was deflected inches wide. Seut Baraing sent a free-kick just off target and Ouk Sovann brought out another diving Simay save with his dead-ball strike, as Crown eased themselves to yet another notable victory.
PPCFC U-17s v TiAsia: Chanvuthy, Noeut, Baraing, Sovann, Titchhy (Chanchav 69), Chanpolin, Sodavid (Ponvuthy 46), Rozak (V Samnang 84), Sakrovy, Noron, Senteang (Muslim 71). Subs not used: Chansopheak. Booking: Titchhy. MOTM: Noron. Goals: Noron (18), Sodavid (19).

Rare defeat for U-15s

PPCFC U-15s, back row, LtoR: Samnang, Safy, Chetra, Savey, Panha, Kakada. Front: Chanmony, Punlork, Piseth, S David, Pisoth - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-15 Academy 3 Daniel FC 7 (Friendly).
The younger Academy boys suffered a rare defeat this morning in their Water Festival practice match against Daniel FC at RSN Stadium. Daniel are better known for their indoor five-a-side Tiger Street exploits and lost 8-3 when they met the older Academy boys. Playing 3x30 minute periods, Daniel survived a stro9ng start by the Academy with Sin Kakada and Mao Piseth both going agonizingly wide before Daniel scored a minute before the break. Three goals in the second period put the visitors firmly in control, with the third goal from the penalty spot after a trip by Yem Chetra. The start of the third period saw the start of Crown's fightback. Piseth gave Chriv Sokundavann the space to pick his spot with a neat chip for their opening goal on 62 minutes. Two minutes later and Piseth won a tackle and set up Nop David who rolled in the Academy's second. Both Piseth and Kakada were denied as Crown went in search of more goals, and then Piseth failed to score with a 1-on-1 as they threw everything into attack. It cost them when Daniel broke quickly to score a fifth. On 83 minutes Piseth was again the provider as Davann fired into the far corner, with Kakada being denied moments later. Daniel made sure of their success with two more breakaway goals in the final two minutes, to register a 7-3 win, and a rare defeat for the U-15 Academy boys.

PPCFC U-15s v Daniel: S Samnang (Rafat 31), Chanmony (Piseth 61), Chetra (Pisoth 79), Safy (Sovannaroth 37), Savey (Safy 61), S David (Davann 37), Punlork (S David 70), Pisoth (Rina 37 (Savey 79)), Panha (Kakada 71), Kakada (N David 37), Piseth (Sophara 37). Subs not used: Samel. Goals: Davann 2 (62, 83), N David (64).

U-15s win again

PPCFC U-15s, back row, LtoR: Rafat, N David, Sovannaroth, Savey, Safy, Chetra. Front: Panha, S David, Piseth, Pisoth, Kakada - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC U-15 Academy 1 FFC Academy 0 (Friendly).
In this morning's Water Festival friendly at RSN Stadium, the Academy U-15s beat their Cambodia Football Federation Academy rivals 1-0, thanks to a goal from Mao Piseth after 25 minutes of the first-half, courtesy of an assist from Sin Kakada. Both teams played entertaining football and created chances but it was the PPCFC team that came out on top, as they have in each of the meetings between the two teams to-date. The Academy U-15s have another match on Saturday morning against Daniel FC at 9am at RSN.

PPCFC U-15s v FFC: Rafat, Sovannaroth (Chanmony), Chetra, Safy, Savey, Pisoth, Kakada 9Rina), S David, N David (Ponlork), Panha (Davann), Piseth. Sub not used. Samel. Booking: Piseth. Goal: Piseth (25).

Army hold Academy

PPCFC U-17s, Back row, LtoR: S Samnang, Chhaya, Chanchav, Chanpolin, Sakrovy, Senteang. Front: Rozak, V Samnang, Noeut, Ponvuthy, Sodavid - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC U-17 Academy 0 Army 1st Team 0 (Friendly).
It was goal-less as the Academy U-17s began their Water Festival program with a friendly game against the the senior Army team at RSN Stadium early this morning. The Academy had the best chances but failed to find the back of the net against their more illustrious opponents, who included members of the national team. Another good performance from the Crown youngsters.
PPCFC U-17s v Army: S Samnang, Noeut, Chhaya (Baraing), Chanchav (Titchhy), V Samnang, Chanpolin, Rozak (Piphop), Sodavid (Muslim), Ponvuthy (Sovann), Sakrovy (Noron), Senteang (Phearath). Subs not used. Chanvuthy, Chansopheak. 

Crown too good for Laos

PPCFC v Attapeu: Back row, LtoR: Bisan, Boris, Bosma, Pheng, Obadin, Yaty. Front: Pellegrino, Suhana, Sokumpheak (capt), Borey, Srin - click to enlarge

Sunday 2 November 2014: Result: PPCFC 2 Hoang Anh Attapeu – Laos 0 (Toyota Mekong Club Championship 3rd Place play-off).
Crown started on the front foot and took the game to Attapeu in the blistering heat and high humidity, at the Go Dau Stadium in Binh Duong, Vietnam, in this 3rd place play-off. Sos Suhana benefitted from a one-two with Adriano Pellegrino to find space but fired his shot straight at the legs of the Attapeu goalkeeper in the fifth minute. Two minutes later and George Bisan chested down a chip forward by Kouch Sokumpheak but watched in disbelief as his perfectly-timed volley went the wrong side of the upright. Bisan set up Khim Borey but he mis-cued his shot and then the Nigerian striker rattled the cross-bar with a blistering half-volley from just inside the area after latching onto Koen Bosma's perfect center. Not to be denied, Crown's constant pressure paid off on 21 minutes when Adriano Pellegrino’s slide-rule pass was deftly touched under the onrushing keeper by Bisan to put Crown ahead. The Nigerian hotshot celebrated with his trademark somersault. Two similar attempts had been unsuccessful but third time lucky was just what Crown needed. A minute later and Hong Pheng's looping cross saw Bosma challenge the keeper and despite getting his head to the ball, it cleared the cross-bar. Attapeu finally woke up and Sou Yaty had to be alert to touch a Sihavong free-kick around the post. A break through the middle by Lembo Saysana saw him avoid Yaty's lunge but Ngoy Srin was back to clear the danger. Yaty comfortably tipped over a long distance free-kick from Xayyabounsou before Crown re-established their control before the break. Sos Suhana moved onto a Pellegrino pull-back but blasted well over and Bosma's cross was mis-timed over his own bar by Sipasong. The two players were involved in the next action as Bosma's diving header was deflected off the defender for a corner. Another Pellegrino perfect cross on the run was touched inches wide by Bisan and Borey fired a drive across the face of goal and wide as the first-half came to end, peppered with bookings for Borey and Kok Boris.

With the second-half less than a minute old, Yaty's fingertips kept out a snap-shot from Sihavong, and Saysana fired over the top from the edge of the box. A burst past three players by Sokumpheak looked to have set up Pellegrino but the ball carried through to the keeper instead. Seven minutes after the restart and Crown got the second goal their efforts deserved. Borey won the ball and took a return pass from Bosma before sending a cross low skidding to the far post where Bisan was lurking, and he tapped the ball home with glee. Srin was booked for a tug on the shirt of Kettavong as he looked to break free, and Va Sokthorn and Leng Makara were sent on by Sam Schweingruber to liven up the flanks. Xayyabounsou held off Pheng's challenge but fired weakly at Yaty, before Crown thought they'd grabbed a third. Bisan's pull-back saw Sokthorn's shot saved by Soundala but the ball spilled out to Pellegrino who poked the ball into the net. A linesman's flag for offside ruled it out. Attapeu were not a spent force and Sihavong made the point when his free-kick struck the outside of the post from 20 yards. As the ball bounced back into play, Pellegrino sent Sokthorn racing clear from inside his own half, but his 45-yard run was halted as he hesitated and Soundala grabbed the ball off his toes. Yaty had to be alert as Sysoutham broke clear and the keeper's block was enough. At the other end, Sokthorn almost cashed in on a poor defensive header but Soundala was quick to see the danger and raced out to clear. Sokthorn was busy since his introduction and it was his pass to Pellegrino that saw the playmaker try a chip from 22 yards that just cleared the cross-bar. There was still time for Baldwin Ngwa and Ouk Sothy to stretch their legs for a few minutes before Vietnam referee Phung Dinh Dung blew for full time.

In his post-match press conference, Sam Schweingruber explained: "The scoreline didn't really reflect our control of the game. I'm very proud of the performance, good discipline, good composure, we worked the midfield very well and only for a few minutes did we have some issues with our opponents - other than that I believe we were the stronger team, better organised team, better individuals and deserved winners of third place in this competition [and $30,000 in prize money]. We applied our tactics for the game quite well, we were not planning to play as many longs balls as we did - our short passing through the midfield, where we had numerical advantage, and better quality, decided the game. It worked out as we had hoped."
PPCFC v HA Attapeu: Yaty, Pheng, Srin (Da 74), Boris, Obadin, Sokumpheak, Suhana (Sothy 88), Bosma (Sokthorn 64), Borey (Makara 67), Pellegrino, Bisan (Ngwa 84). Subs not used: Ary, Thierry. Bookings: Borey, Boris, Pellegrino. MOTM: Bisan – two goal heroics + MVP. Goals: Bisan 2 (21, 52).