Saturday, July 18, 2015

Crown recover to win handsomely

PPCFC vs CMAC, back row, LtoR: Obadin, S Pisa, Thierry, Bisan, Ary, Boris (capt). Front: Da, Suhana, Matnorotin, Dani, Booysen - clck to enlarge
Saturday 18 July 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 4 CMAC 1 (Metfone C-League)
It required a wake-up call opener for CMAC, a fine individual effort from Tony Janzen on 20 minutes, to kick-start PPCFC into life in a match they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners at the close. Shane Booysen slotted in the equaliser from Bin Thierry's pass on 35 minutes to send the teams in level at the break. Just 9 minutes into the 2nd half a 16-minute floodlight failure caused an unscheduled break and it was the home side who took full control after they resumed. On 73 minutes, a trip on substitute Va Sokthorn gave Thierry the chance to display his free-kick mastery and he delivered the goods right on cue. It was all Crown as four minutes later, Sokthorn took a Sos Suhana pass in his stride, and unleashed a curling drive into the top corner for a stunning strike. With two minutes left on the clock, Booysen and Thourng Da combined to present George Bisan with a great opportunity from close range and he made no mistake for his 8th goal of the season.

Crown head coach Sam Schweingruber's post-match thoughts on the 4-1 win over CMAC. "I'm happy we got three points. I wasn't really concerned when we went 1-zero down, we had a sleepy start and a few players haven't played enough and we gave a goal away. But we got back into the game, got a goal and had a few other chances, though the referee didn't help us with not giving a clear trip, last man penalty. We had a pretty focused start to the 2nd half, we came out with purpose and then the lights went out. It was sort of symbolic. I wasn't nervous, I knew we had enough about us but it took longer than it should have. We came off strong and a deserved winner and I'm happy to get the job done and collect the points. Our fitness counted, the other team struggled with cramps and were not able to handle our fitness and speed. Congratulations to Sokthorn for his contribution. I think his movement is what we missed, so his introduction, and the third goal - which was pure brilliance, one-touch, turn, left foot curler into the top corner - worked a treat for us."

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