Nine in a row, and on TV

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

Result: Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15s 2 FFC Academy 0 (Friendly).
In this showpiece match before the Cambodia National Team game at Svay Rieng's new stadium, the younger Crown Academy boys were seeking to extend their winning record against the FFC Academy to nine matches and with the TV cameras at the game, it added some extra spice to the friendly encounter. After a few minutes to settle, the Crown Academy sparked as Mao Piseth robbed a defender of the ball but his low drive was gathered at the near post by FFC keeper Yi Bunheng. However, the keeper had no chance when Piseth lashed a half-volley past him for the opening goal on 15 minutes, after Tong Chanmony's cross was only partially headed clear. Sin Kakada was enjoying his number 10 role and sent a 25-yard shot wide before Piseth curled a free-kick from a tight angle, just inches wide of the far post. Another Piseth shot was charged down and Pich Sovannaroth poked his shot wide from just outside the box. Kakada and Sovannaroth both tried their luck from distance without success as the first-half came to an end with Crown in control. Six minutes after the break, Svang Samnang was twice called upon to deny Sean Sopheatra, who found space in the Crown penalty area and Tray Vichet miskicked when free at the far post. On the hour, Sem Dona's barge on Kakada gave referee Srei Vannareth no option but to award a penalty and substitute Nop David stepped up to cheekily score with a Panenka penalty kick, that he chipped down the center of the goal. A minute later Sovannaroth's pass found Piseth but his fierce drive was too high. Sovannaroth was enjoying lots of possession in an unfamiliar midfield role and sent in two more shots, though both missed the target. Crown captain Yue Safy blocked a break into the area by Lon Then, and Samnang was quick off the mark to rob Seang Chanthea as he broke clear of the offside trap. Despite the FFC's revival, Crown remained dangerous and Piseth's shot on the turn was held by Bunheng, who then tipped a 30-yard effort from the Crown striker onto the cross-bar. Moments later, Kakada's shot was deflected into the path of Piseth who blasted the ball wildly out of the stadium, before FFC spurned a great opportunity to reduce the deficit with six minutes left to play. Ky Rina's tackle on Chanthea saw him booked and a penalty kick awarded, but Vichet screwed the spot-kick wide of Samnang's right-hand post. Dona was fortunate to only see yellow for a knee-high tackle on Kakada as both teams tired in the hot sunshine and Samnang collected Son Somchhai's shot as the game came to an end. Crown maintained their 100% record against the FFC with their ninth success on the trot in the last twelve months, to make it clear who is the dominating force in junior Cambodian football.
PPCFC U-15s: Samnang, Samel (N David 46), Chetra, Safy, Savey, S David (Punlork 62), Sovannaroth (Pisoth 76), Chanmony (Davann 89), Panha (Rina 46), Kakada, Piseth. Subs not used: Rafat. Bookings: Chanmony, Rina. MOTM: Piseth - always dangerous. Goals: Piseth (15), N David (60 penalty).

The FFC Academy starting XI, lost their 9th consecutive match to PPCFC