Hat-trick for Shane

Match Result: PPCFC 6 Cambodian Tiger 2 (Friendly).
In this friendly match at RSN Stadium with 3x30-minute halves, Crown went in front through Shane Booysen on 9 minutes and never looked back. Booysen calmly floated in his second on 36 minutes, and despite Neou Sosela pulling a goal back, a five-minute hat-trick from Um Tola sealed their fate. A header on 50 minutes, a neat snap-shot on 54 mins and a well-timed volleyed lob a minute later have him a trio of goals to remember. In the final period, Keo Sokngon headed Crown's sixth on 78 minutes and Tiger netted a second through Kihara Masakaz, but it was too little, too late.
PPCFC vs Tiger, back row, LtoR: Obadin, Usarphea, Sokngon, Baek, S Pisa, Boran. Front: Yaneat, Da, Booysen, Sokheng, Koroma.

Bin Thierry scored just before the half-time interval in the Cambodia national team's friendly match with Laos in Bangkok tonight, but it wasn't enough to avert a 2-1 defeat in the team's final match before they head to Japan for the World Cup Qualifying game on 3 September. All 4 PPCFC players in the World Cup squad - Thierry, Kok Boris, Sos Suhana and Keo Sokpheng - started the match with Laos.

Victory over BBU

Result: PPCFC Academy 4 BBU 1 (Friendly).
The senior Academy team were too strong for a young BBU line-up in this friendly encounter at RSN Stadium this afternoon and an early 5th minute goal from Yeu Muslim set the pace. Chhuot Senteang netted a second just before the break. BBU took advantage of a wayward pass to score but Crown came back strongly with goals from substitutes Pov Ponvuthy ( 72 mins) and Mat Sakrovy (87 mins) to win comfortably.
PPCFC line-up, back row, LtoR: Senteang, Umaru, Chanpolin, Chanchav, S Samnang, Sodavid. Front: Muslim, V Samnang, Noeut, Rozak, Baraing.

Shiny Rahus join Crown

PPCFC have joined forces with the Shiny Rahus, also known as the Phnom Penh Social Rugby Club (PPSRC), who will provide a weekly rugby training session for Crown's three Academy age groups. In return, RSN will host rugby events with PPSRC whenever possible. The rugby training will be designed to improve the Academy players' competitive mentality, pain thresholds and physical capabilities. Joining Tom Legg, Crown's Academy Technical Director, at the signing of the memorandum of understanding at RSN was PPSRC's Steve Noble, Fabien Dutasta and Ricardo Maria. We look forward to a fruitful relationship with our rugby-playing friends.

3 in U-16s squad

Three members of the PPCFC U-15 Academy squad - Sin Kakada, Yue Safy and Yem Chetra - have joined the Cambodia U-16 national team for their trip to Malaysia to play a friendly match against the hosts national team and then will travel to Singapore for the AFC U-16 Championship Qualifiers. Cambodia will play against North Korea (2 Sept), Thailand (4 Sept) and hosts Singapore (6 Sept) in Group H in Singapore. A total of 45 countries entered the qualifying stage and are drawn into eleven groups. The Crown boys were also part of the national team squad that won the GFA Soriya U-15 international tournament at Tonle Bati last week that included teams from Japan and Singapore. Good luck to the boys and their teammates on their travels to Malaysia and Singapore.

NT to Bangkok

LtoR: Suhana, Sokpheng, Boris, Thierry

The four PPCFC players with the Cambodia national team - Sos Suhana, Keo Sokpheng, Kok Boris and Bin Thierry - who are currently in Bangkok, will be involved in friendly matches against Thai Premier team Army United this evening and against Laos on 29 August, before the squad fly out to Japan for their World Cup Qualifying 2nd Round tie, which will take place on 3 September. We wish the players and the national team much success in their forthcoming matches. Sary Matnorotin has withdrawn from the squad through illness.

Following her dreams

Channou is one of our PPCFC community coaches and is a great example to young girls of following your dreams. She was a player with the Mighty Girls in Battambang for four years and is now living in Phnom Penh, combining her university studies in administration law with coaching our community teams. Channou was a goalkeeper and coach for the women's national team. Watch this video about her @ https://youtu.be/D2jG_Xjtt5s

Academy results

Back row, LtoR: Chanmony, Sakrovy, Chandara, Suleiman, Panha, Bory. Front: Puthik, N David, Pisoth, S David, Samel

The PPCFC Academy results this weekend: On Saturday the Academy U-13s beat Banteay Meanchey 3-2 with goals from Chhomrean 2 and Sokly. Following that game, the senior Academy team won 4-0 against K157 at RSN. Ouk Sovann, Umaru Samura 2 and In Sodavid scored the goals. On Sunday, the Academy U-15s drew 2-2 with Green Youth (Anachak Baitong), with Tong Chanmony and Mat Sakrovy scoring. Here's the U-15s pictured before the game with a couple of senior Academy players included. Back row, LtoR: Chanmony, Sakrovy, Chandara, Suleiman, Panha, Bory. Front: Puthik, N David, Pisoth, S David, Samel.

Making new friends

The PPCFC starting XI vs Star Light FC in Battambang: back row, LtoR: Ary, S Pisa, Baek, Bisan, Obadin (capt). Front: Da, Sokheng, Makara, Booysen, Boran, Yaneat.

MAKING NEW FRIENDS

Phnom Penh Crown have just completed a very successful tour of the northwest provinces of Cambodia. Six days spent in Siem Reap, Poipet and Battambang, making many new friends, playing four friendly matches against local teams and hosting football training sessions with young children, went extremely well. The players and staff enjoyed the informal break from competitive football, after a hectic 14 league matches in 44 days. A big thank you to all the PPCFC fans, old and new, that came to watch our friendly matches and who took time out to meet the players before and after the games. The interaction between fans and players was an important part of building a relationship between supporters and the club and was a key feature of this tour. The players enjoyed the support they received at each location, and we would also like to thank the staff at the three hotels we stayed in, Dara Reang Sey Angkor Hotel (Siem Reap), Crown Casino Hotel (Poipet) and Vimean Sovannaphoum Hotel (Battambang), who looked after us so well.

22 August 2015: PPCFC 12 Star Light FC (Battambang) 1 (Friendly).
In their final match on their northwest tour, PPCFC received a wake-up call after just two minutes of their visit to Battambang to play Star Light at the airport. A quick break and a goal gave the large home support something to cheer but that was about it, as Crown controlled the ball for the rest of the match to run out very comfortable winners. Prom Yaneat and Leng Makara put PPCFC in front before a hat-trick including two headers for George Bisan, and another goal for Yaneat to post a 6-1 half-time lead. Just 17 seconds into the 2nd-half, Um Tola touched the ball home and the rout continued. A stunning 30-yard volley from Touch Sokheng was followed by a Santi Koroma penalty for handball. Yongsun Baek cushioned in a header, as did Koroma from a yard before Bisan wrapped it up with an individual goal for his 4th.

PPCFC on tour

PPCFC at Angkor Wat on tour in the northwest

Today the Phnom Penh Crown 1st-team squad will leave Poipet after a very successful two-day stay in the border town and will travel to Battambang. This afternoon (Saturday) at 3.30pm, the PPCFC team will play against Star Light FC at the Airport in Battambang. We urge all football fans in Battambang to come and watch the game and cheer for your team. Can Star Light FC beat the Cambodian Champions or will PPCFC continue their winning run of matches on their northwest tour of Cambodia? Come and see for yourselves. We want a BIG crowd to watch the final match of PPCFC’s tour. The tour has been a great success with large crowds coming to watch our three matches in Siem Reap and Poipet (match reports below), as well as our community activities with football coaching sessions by the players and staff and a mini-football festival with 120 children in Poipet.

21 August 2015:: PPCFC 9 Ly Hengchhay FC (Poipet) 2 (Friendly).

Crown finished their stay in Poipet with a convincing 9-2 victory over Ly Hengchhay at the 855Crown futsal pitch in front of another good-sized crowd. George Bisan scored a first-half hat-trick with Prom Yaneat and Long Boran also netting. The home side scored with the final kick of the half. Shane Booysen entertained the crowd with his ball skills as well as two goals after the break, with Um Tola also scoring twice late on. Overall, a good work-out for Crown who dominated throughout and made many new friends in Poipet.

20 August 2015: PPCFC 3 Asia4Bet FC (Poipet) 2 (Friendly).

After the children’s festival involving Crown, SALT Academy and the Mighty Girls, the squad played an 11-a-side friendly match on the futsal court against Asia4Bet FC and came out 3-2 winners, without really pushing too hard during the two 35-minute halves. Prom Yaneat and a rare Shane Booysen header gave Crown a 2-goal interval lead and Booysen extended that with a goal from an almost impossible angle. The home team never gave up and scored two goals but were always second-best, in front of a large audience.

18 August 2015: PPCFC 11 Next Step FC (Siem Reap) 3 (Friendly 9-a-side).

In the opening match of the PPCFC 1st-Team tour of the northwest provinces, a large crowd gathered at the Galaxy Goal futsal pitch in Siem Reap to witness a masterclass in futsal from the Cambodian champions, and a creditable never-give-in performance from Next Step. The game was 9-a-side and two halves of 35 minutes, with Long Boran scoring Crown’s opening goal on 3 minutes from a free-kick and adding a second on 15 minutes. Santi Koroma added another before a goalkeeping howler presented Next Step with a goal. Um Tola headed home from Boran’s long throw before Santi netted two more and one from Sor Polo to end the opening half at 7-1.
Crown changed their line-up for the second-half and George Bisan scored a brace of goals before the home team netted a real beauty of a goal. Shane Booysen and Lous Charly also got on the scoresheet before Next Step grabbed a late consolation. The match was played in an excellent spirit and gave the big crowd lots to cheer.

Children's football festival in Poipet

The Crown squad also took part in a children’s football festival in Poipet on Thursday, with 120 youngsters joining in with the SALT Academy and Mighty Girls from Battambang. It was a great success with both boys and girls up to the age of 16 enjoying themselves with ball skills, drills and six-a-side matches on the 855Crown field near the border with Thailand. In Siem Reap the players and staff held coaching sessions with a local NGO and an expat community team of children. This has been an important part of the club’s outreach program on their tour.

Held by Tiger

PPCFC vs Cambodian Tiger, back row, LtoR: Obadin, Bisan, Thierry, Sokngon, Ary, Boris (capt). Front: Dani, Suhana, Makara, Matnorotin, Booysen.

15 August 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 0 Cambodian Tiger 0 (Metfone C-League).
Despite extending their unbeaten MCL record to 14 games, Crown will be asking why their usually potent goal threat wasn’t in evidence on the artificial pitch at Western Stadium today. Yasuyuki Yoshida, in the Tiger goal, kept out a Kouch Dani early on and later denied Keo Sokngon, George Bisan and Sary Matnorotin. At the other end, Yok Ary was called into action to keep out Privat Mbarga and Suong Virak, whilst Mbraga failed to cash in on a rare weak defensive header from the ever-reliable Odion Obadin. The teams now go into a 1-month break from league action whilst the Cambodian national team focus on their World Cup preparations. PPCFC are top of the MCL table by 1 point from Boeung Ket, having played 1 game more.

Head coach Sam Schweingruber gave this reaction at the final whistle. “The first-half, it was pointless to be here, but the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half, we showed that we wanted to win, four half chances and with a bit more luck we could’ve scored, but when you are defending champions and you play against teams who celebrate a nil-nil draw like a victory, in the end you shouldn’t be surprised. Overall, Tiger worked really hard and deserved the draw. We were absolutely lifeless in the 1st half. It was pretty much a repetition of the Naga first-half, so very disappointed that we couldn’t learn the lessons. I didn’t get the response I wanted. I never settle for 1 point, that’s two points dropped in my view. A draw is a loss, that’s our idea for the whole season.”

Academy draw with Frenz at RSN

PPCFC vs Frenz, back row, LtoR: Chanpolin, Chhaya, Jason, Umaru, S Samnang, Sodavid (capt). Front: Sovann, Ponvuthy, Piphop, V Samnang, Baraing.

14 August 2015: Phnom Penh Crown Academy 1 Frenz United B 1 (U18 Asia Champions Trophy).

What a great game and areal credit to both teams for producing such a high quality ACT match under floodlights at RSN Stadium. Crown began brightly but it was both goalkeepers who were on top form early on, with Svang Samnang tipping a blast from Akhmar Haiqal over the cross-bar and Frenz’s Adam Zairi Zaini doing the same from Umaru Samura’s flicked header. Frenz took advantage of a defensive howler to open the scoring on 30 minutes, as Haiqal nipped in to steer the ball into an empty net. Just six minutes later and Jason Thomas got the all-important touch to an Ouk Sovann corner to put PPCFC back on level terms. Chances continued to be created at both ends, with the home team just edging in front in possession and opportunities created. In Sodavid and Sovann went very close, Haiqal rolled a shot inches wide and Adam Zaini pulled off a flying fingertip save in the top corner from Seut Baraing’s free-kick. Thomas was denied with five minutes to go when his header from Sovann’s corner was cleared off the goal-line, as Frenz ended the game with 10-men when Bursanudin Ahya was sent off for a second yellow card. A fabulous advertisement for the ACT2015.

PPCFC Academy head coach Bouy Dary was encouraged by the performance of the senior Academy team against Frenz United with an entertaining 1-1 draw, which was less than week after they lost 5-0 in Japan against Kashima. “The boys did really well, we created a lot of chances, we should really score more goals and win the game. For me I’m pleased with the result and the way we played, we had a lot of possession and chances, but sometimes we need a bit of luck as well. One thing we need to learn is that we need to be stronger. I think the Frenz keeper saved a lot of stuff tonight, some really good saves, he did really well. For our side, the whole team did really well but Jason scored a goal, caused them problems at set pieces and had a very good game defensively as well.”

Close-fought success

Wednesday 12 August 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 1 Nagaworld 0 (Metfone C-League).
In the first match played at Olympic Stadium this season, PPCFC took their unbeaten record to 13 matches with their 11th victory, thanks to a single Shane Booysen goal on 56 minutes. Sary Matnorotin created the opportunity with a persistent run down the right wing and his pull-back center was drilled inside the far post by Booysen for his 13th goal of the campaign. The first-half was largely uneventful though Samrith Seiha’s fingertips took Booysen’s cross off the head of George Bisan and at the other end Sun Sovannrithy headed over from a free-kick. Naga came out of their defensive shell after Crown took the lead with Barry Lelouma behind most of their offensive moves, though it was Bisan who strolled past three challenges but couldn’t beat Seiha’s outstretched hand. PPCFC keeper Yok Ary dived low to keep out a Kouch Sokumpheak snap-shot, Leng Makara headed one effort off the goal-line and an injury-time header from Thorn Darapich hit Dani Kouch in the chest as Crown collected yet another win bonus of 3 points, in a closely-fought contest.

Crown head coach Sam Schweingruber offered this assessment of yesterday's 1-0 win over Nagaworld at Olympic Stadium. "The first-half we gave their defence a holiday. A lack of movement and a lack of intensity, I've never seen my team act so slow in transition, probably our laziest performance of the season. Some of the players said it was very hot with a 3.30 game and we didn't have perfect preparation as we came late to the stadium, something we need to improve and make sure is not repeated. We applied ourselves better in the second-half. For the first fifteen minutes the players had a different attitude on the field and we did enough to be more switched on, quicker, we pressed in their half and because of that 15 minutes, we deserved the win, even though it was a bit nerve-wracking in the end. Too many players were very tired and struggling, so compliments to Naga for changing their formation and for 25 minutes they gave us a run for the money."

Seven-Up

Saturday 8 August 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 7 Svay Rieng 1 (Metfone C-League).
The smile across George Bisan’s face at the full-time whistle said it all as the Nigerian hotshot demolished Svay Rieng at RSN Stadium with a 4-goal haul as Crown went on the goal rampage, winning 7-1 to register a memorable double over their rivals. Bisan confidently scored his first after just two minutes and Keo Sokngon set up Shane Booysen for number two, and the South African ball wizard netted with a perfect lob into the net on 10 minutes. Another piece of brilliance by Booysen as he flicked Touch Sokheng’s pass over the head of the defender and crashed his shot into the top corner gave Crown a three-goal margin on 21 minutes. Crown continued their dominance though keeper Yok Ary was called on to make two saves before the visitors went down to 10-men as Sok Samnang was red-carded for a second booking with three minutes of the first-half left to play.
Keo Sokpheng put an inch-perfect cross onto the head of Bisan on 52 minutes as Crown cemented their control with their 4th, but the striker sent a good chance the wrong side of the post after set up by Kok Boris soon after. Santi Koroma had replaced Booysen and nipped in before the keeper to tuck the ball home from Bisan’s pass on 61 minutes, though Atuheire Kipson saved Svay Rieng from a whitewash with a goal on 71 minutes. Ary and the cross-bar denied the visitors a second before Crown stormed back through a fine solo goal from Bisan on 81 minutes, and the top scorer was at it again with five minutes remaining, rising high to head Koroma’s cross inside the post for number 7 and a deserved win for the home side.

Head coach Sam Schweingruber’s after-match comments were: “We couldn’t ask for more than being up after a couple of minutes. I think we deserved it, the other team look scared from the beginning, we had the right intensity. I saw from the start that our boys were there to show what we are capable of doing. So very pleased with how we started the game. I wanted us to have a quality second period, as often we only play one good half. I’m very pleased with the second-half, even though they created some chances, which was impressive, and they kept trying, but we were disciplined enough, we have learned from previous mistakes in other games, and I think our quality and maturity was there for everyone to see.
George and Shane make a difference at certain times in games. I am happy with their impressive goals record. But I do want to see other players on the scoresheet. An impressive performance, a deserved win and an excellent reaction to the disappointment of the draw with Police, which we evaluated very carefully and now we are marching forward with these two wins over Svay Rieng. It was great to see so many fans today, supporting us in great numbers. Hopefully they can come to support us against Naga at Olympic Stadium on Wednesday.”

Winning away

Wednesday 5 August 2015: Svay Rieng 1 Phnom Penh Crown 3 (Metfone C-League).
On an already waterlogged pitch and under heavy rain, Crown got off to the worst possible start when Dzarma Bata slipped through the middle of the defence to fire Svay Rieng into the lead after a mere 38 seconds. Nen Sothearoth then curled a free-kick against the cross-bar before Crown got their first sight of goal, with Shane Booysen’s effort ruled out for offside. The wet surface was not helping either side though Sos Suhana blasted just wide and for the home team, Samoeun Pidor won a race with Yok Ary but couldn’t finish. With the match simmering, it boiled over on 42 minutes when Booysen went through and fell under the challenge of keeper Aim Sovannarath. The referee booked the keeper and awarded a penalty only to change his mind a minute later after consulting with his assistant.
The second-half belonged to Crown, as they showed their intent from the word go. George Bisan headed inches wide and then blasted over the top when well-placed. Then on 72 minutes his touch from Odion Obadin’s long ball went to the feet of Keo Sokpheng and his sublime strike from 20 yards sailed into the top corner for a beautiful goal. Four minutes later and Keo Sokngon’s inch-perfect cross was met on the volley by Leng Makara at close range to give the visitors the lead. It was now all one-way traffic with Sokngon’s shot smothered and a Booysen effort missing the target by a whisker. In the fifth minute of time added on, Crown wrapped up the 3 points when Sokngon fed Santi Koroma who laid the ball into the path of Suhana and he blasted home from 16 yards. The match ended with the Crown players giving their thanks to the fantastic travelling support, who sang throughout the whole 90 minutes.

Sam Schweingruber, Crown’s head coach, gave his thoughts after the final whistle at Svay Rieng. “Our preparation for the match wasn’t ideal – the pitch was flooded the day before and our warm-up was not on the soggy pitch, so we went out there a bit uncertain, though that’s no excuse for going a goal down so early. Very disappointed with how we conceded – definitely a big issue as our game plan went out of the window after 40 seconds. In the 1st-half we failed to do enough to really get into the game. Our plan worked out with our substitutions, very happy with how the team showed character and spirit. In the 2nd-half we were the only team that wanted to win the game, but things didn’t go our way until we scored our first goal. I’m very happy for Sokpheng to score such a screamer, and it came from a situation we talked about at half-time. I was proud of the team for their fighting spirit and for not giving up, pushing for more and you could see when we scored what it meant to the team. And we were not satisfied, we wanted to win.
I must mention our fans, who were excellent. I heard them throughout, it was nice to have the drums and the support, it’s very encouraging to be far from home and to have people making so much noise and supporting you, it was a great experience. To have our supporters with us was a nice taste of a real professional football environment. I can’t speak highly enough of our fans.”

Wednesday 5 August 2015: Kashima Antlers 5 Phnom Penh Crown Academy 0 (Asia Champions Trophy)

The Crown Academy fell to a strong Kashima Antlers U-18 team who led by three goals at the break and went onto win 5-0 in this opening Asia Champions Trophy match at their 40,000-seater stadium. Playing in front of their home fans Kashima controlled the match right from the kick-off making Crown work hard for the ball. Midfielder Takanobu Nishimoto scored Kashima first ever goal in the competition on 11^th minutes after some confusion in the penalty box. Two minutes later Yuki Kakita slotted in the second goal. The two quick-fire goals put pressure on the Cambodians as they struggled to contained the running and quick passing play from Kashima.

The home team continued to dictate the match, organizing attacks and their effort prove fruitful when in the 23^rd minute, Hayato Ishizu’s effort founds the back of the net. Head Coah Bouy Dary decided to make changes with Chhuot Senteang brought in to replace Suon Noeut on 32 minutes.  The game was in Kashima’s favour 3-0 at the interval.

The Japanese kept their momentum, dominating possession of the ball and the 4th goal arrived on 59 minutes through the substitute striker Yuki Shikama that came in just a minute into the match to replace third goal scorer Hayato Ishizu. Juriya Yoshioka finished off any hope of a comeback for Crown in the 65th minute when he scored the fifth goal after a good combination of passes in the middle of the pitch.

After the loss Crown Head Coach, Bouy Dary feels that the boys were not focused and took their time a little bit too much to get used to the condition at the Stadium. “The players came out cold, and bit of fear maybe, which is disappointed as we discussed this before the game.” Dary was speaking to the media after the match. “We lost the game in the opening 20 minutes. Three errors resulted in three goals, clinical play from Kashima. After the first half water break we worked harder out of possession and were more confident with the ball. We created some chances especially Uma and Sovann, at this level you’ve got to take those chances.

Next match for PPCFC Academy is at home in RSN Stadium where they will play Frenz United B and Dary is hoping to turn the page as quickly as possible. “Overall I don’t think the players showed their real quality and potential, we will regroup and focus on next week home game against Frenz. I hope our home fans turn out to support us and make lots of noise” he added. This match will be on Friday, 14 August. [Report courtesy of http://www.act.frenzunited.com.my/.]

Crown arrested by Police

Sunday 2 August 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 1 National Police 1 (Metfone C-League).
Crown dropped points for only the second time this season this afternoon in the rain-delayed match-up between the 2nd and 3rd-placed teams in the Metfone C-League at the RSN Stadium. After yesterday’s first 25 minutes was ended by torrential rain, today’s main talking point came on 64 minutes when Police scored against the run of play. Noun Borey was coming back from an offside position when he obstructed Kok Boris, allowing Yuske Ishi a free run on goal to score. No-one in Crown colours could believe the match officials allowed the goal to stand. Five minutes later Crown were level when Bin Thierry’s inswinging free-kick was headed firmly past his own goalkeeper by a diving Busayo Adekunjo for an own goal. Va Sokthorn, Thierry and George Bisan went close but despite Crown’s pressure, the game ended all-square. In the 25 minutes of play at RSN Stadium yesterday, Va Sokthorn had a chance cleared off the line, Sary Matnorotin crashed a drive against the goal post and Police keeper Prak Phearun twice saved at close range from George Bisan and Leng Makara before the heavy rain made further play impossible.

Head coach Sam Schweingruber gave his after-match views on the 1-1 draw with National Police. “I told my team yesterday and today, there are no excuses. I knew the rain would affect the game, if you want to be champions, there are no excuses. We have to play better than this, we have to be at a better level. That the referee has a very poor game – there are no excuses.
Yesterday I thought we started shocking, were caught napping and in gaga-land. But from 5-25 minutes we played excellent football and did a lot of things we wanted to do and it worked for us. So I felt confident for today. For the 20 minutes before half-time we were in complete control, apart from giving away too many free-kicks. I thought the games was all ours, then the rain came again. I think we did a good job in trying to keep the ball. But I was not impressed with a lot of performances today. This was not a good game for us, and we have to blame ourselves.
The Police goal was a huge mistake by the referee. We made lots of mistakes, so did the referee – his mistake cost us a goal, our mistakes cost us goals too. It’s very disappointing that he didn’t see the situation – clearly an offside player interfering with play by obstructing a defender tracking back. A smart move by Borey, he managed to cheat a goal and the referee didn’t get it. We were lucky that our loss of discipline didn’t end up in defeat. The way we reacted to the goal is usually a recipe for disaster. So seeing how angry we were, in that sense, I’m glad we got a point.
We dominated for 90 minutes, both yesterday and again today. We weren’t clinical enough but we were the better team and the only team that wanted to win the game. My job now is to see this as a wake-up call, we need to evaluate our performance and to understand why we were at the level today that is not enough to be champions.”