2015 results review

A look at PPCFC's Metfone C-League Results in 2015:
>> 1st Round <<
Thu 2 July vs BOEUNGKET ANGKOR @ RSN Stadium – DREW 0-0
Sun 5 July vs NAGAWORLD @ RSN Stadium – WON 4-2 : Booysen 2, Bisan 2
Thu 9 July vs CAMBODIAN TIGER @ RSN Stadium – WON 3-1 : Matnorotin, Bisan 2
Sun 12 July vs ASIA EUROPE @ RSN Stadium – WON 6-1 : Bisan 2, Sokpheng, Makara, Sokthorn, Koroma
Wed 15 July vs ARMY @ RSN Stadium – WON 2-0 : Bisan, Booysen
Sat 18 July vs CMAC @ RSN Stadium – WON 4-1 : Booysen, Thierry, Sokthorn, Bisan
Thu 23 July vs KIRIVONG @ Tonle Bati – WON 5-2 : Bisan 3, Booysen 2
Sat 25 July vs WESTERN @ Western – WON 5-3 : Booysen 3, Bisan 2
Wed 29 July vs BBU @ RSN Stadium – WON 1-0 : Booysen
Sat 1 Aug vs NATIONAL POLICE @ RSN Stadium – Drew 1-1 : OG
Wed 5 Aug vs SVAY RIENG @ Svay Rieng – WON 3-1 : Sokpheng, Makara, Suhana
>> 2nd Round <<
Sat 8 Aug vs SVAY RIENG @ RSN Stadium – WON 7-1 : Bisan 4, Booysen 2, Koroma
Wed 12 Aug vs NAGAWORLD @ Olympic – WON 1-0 : Booysen
Sat 15 Aug vs CAMBODIAN TIGER @ Western – DREW 0-0
Sat 12 Sep vs ASIA EUROPE @ RSN Stadium – WON 6-0 : Makara 2, Booysen 2, Sokpheng, Obadin
Wed 16 Sep vs ARMY @ Army Stadium – LOST 0-3
Sat 19 Sep vs CMAC @ Olympic – WON 10-1 : Booysen 4, Bisan 2, Sokpheng 2, Dani, OG
Thu 24 Sep vs KIRIVONG @ RSN Stadium – LOST 1-2 : Sokpheng
Sat 26 Sep vs WESTERN @ RSN Stadium – WON 10-0 : Sokpheng 3, Bisan 3, Booysen 2, Makara 2
Wed 30 Sep vs BBU @ Olympic – WON 4-0 : Sokpheng 2, Sodavid, Thierry
Sat 17 Oct vs NATIONAL POLICE @ RSN Stadium – WON 2-1 : Sokthorn, Sokpheng
Thu 22 Oct vs BOEUNGKET ANGKOR @ Army Stadium – LOST 2-4 : Booysen, Bisan.

Championship Play-offs:
Sun 25 Oct vs CAMBODIAN TIGER @ RSN Stadium – WON 4-1 : Sodavid, Thierry, Obadin, Sokthorn (Semi-Final).
Wed 28 Oct vs CAMBODIAN TIGER @ Western – WON 2-1 : Obadin, Booysen (Semi-Final).
Sun 22 Nov vs NAGAWORLD @ Olympic Stadium – WON 2-0 : Bisan, Booysen (Final 1st Leg)
Sat 12 Dec vs NAGAWORLD @ Olympic Stadium – LOST 1-3 : Thierry (pen). Aggregate 3-3 over two legs. PPCFC won 3-2 on Penalties: Thierry, Boris, Baek – to win MCL Championship (Final 2nd Leg).

Crown are Champions, again

PPCFC vs Naga, 3-2 win on penalties: back row, LtoR: Obadin, Makara, Baek, Thierry, Soksela, Boris (capt). Front row: Chanpolin, Sokthorn, Sodavid, Dani, Booysen - click to enlarge.

12 December 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 1 Nagaworld 3 [after extra time. PPCFC won 3-2 on penalties] (Metfone C-League Championship Final 2nd leg).
Phnom Penh Crown made heavy weather of winning their second consecutive Metfone Championship, having brought a 2-0 1st leg win to the main event, but held their nerve in the penalty shoot-out with teenage goalkeeper Keo Soksela showing maturity beyond his years. The game began with Crown edging the first-half with Va Sokthorn going close on a couple of occasions, Shane Booysen toe-poking an effort wide of the mark, whilst Nhim Sovannara headed a corner against the upright for Naga. Nine minutes after the half-time break and Naga took the lead when In Sodavid’s backpass allowed Kouch Sokumpheak to challenge Soksela and the loose ball was buried by Sun Sovannrithy. Sokthorn and Booysen were denied by Samrith Seiha at the other end but a handball against Sovannrithy from Sodavid’s blast gave Bin Thierry the leveller from the penalty spot on 73 minutes. Just 4 minutes later Sokumpheak steered in Prak Chanratana’s headed cross to return the lead to Naga. Crown were struggling to find their rhythm and Leng Makara stopped a drive on the goal-line with his body before final minute heartbreak as Yongsun Baek was adjudged to have handled a shot and Sokumpheak stepped up in injury time to rifle the ball home from the spot. That made it 3-1 to Naga and 3-3 on aggregate.
Extra time of thirty minutes was without incident of note until Barry Lelouma’s floated free-kick missed everyone and bounced just clear of the cross-bar. Crown’s best chance came on 114 minutes as Baek powerfully headed Sokthorn’s free-kick onto the bar and the referee waved aways appeals that the ball had bounced behind the line. Onto penalty kicks to decide who would be the champions. Soksela saved Naga’s opening spot-kick from Fukasawa and then Thierry planted in his effort. Kazuaki Ban scored but Sokthorn missed the target, only for Sokumpheak to score. Kok Boris scored with ease, but ex-PPC Khim Borey found Soksela’s feet hard to beat, as did Odion Obadin, who was stopped by Seiha. Another glorious Soksela save denied Lelouma and up-stepped Baek to settle the Championship with a well-struck spot-kick to make it 3-2. Cue the celebrations on the pitch and among the massed ranks of Crown fans at the stadium. 

Champions for the 2nd successive season

Crown nose ahead with 1st leg win

PPCFC, back row, LtoR: Obadin, Soksela, Sokthorn, Makara, Thierry, Bisan, Boris (capt). Front row: C Pisa, Chanpolin, Sodavid, Booysen.

Sunday 22 November 2015 : Phnom Penh Crown 2 Nagaworld 0 (MCL Play-off Final, 1st Leg).
Crown got their noses firmly in front in the first leg of the Championship Play-off, with a well-deserved and comprehensive victory over Naga at the Olympic Stadium tonight. The game began at a pedestrian pace though a head injury to Keo Soksela, the teenager making his debut in goal for Crown, caused some concern on the bench. The youngster had already dived to his right to push aside a low free-kick from Barry Lelouma before a crack on his head from a Khim Borey challenge saw a five-minute stoppage whilst the bloodied head wound was treated. Defender Odion Obadin's goal-bound header was pushed out by Samrith Seiha and In Sodavid's attempt was cleared by Om Thavrak after a poor clearance.  Just before the half hour mark, Lelouma's shot on the turn went harmlessly wide and Kouch Sokumpheak's breakaway was blocked as Soksela was quickly out to the edge of his box with his arms outstretched.  The best chance of the game came on 38 minutes as Bin Thierry's free-kick was pushed out by Seiha and into the path of George Bisan, but his hurried blast into the ground bounced agonisingly over the cross-bar. Sodavid's quick ball found Shane  Booysen in space on the edge of the area but Seiha was down smartish to divert his whipped drive. Moments later, Bisan headed down Va Sokthorn's free-kick and Obadin's shot on the swivel was blocked by Seiha and Sun Sovannrithy. The first-half ended with Lelouma's 20-yard drive easily held by Soksela.

A Bisan shot was harmless enough after he was set-up by Bin Thierry's magic feet and then ten minutes after the interval, Crown took control with the first goal of the 1st leg. Bisan was lurking fifteen yards from goal and his forceful header looped in after Thierry's corner was headed into the air by Borey's clearance. Five minutes later the Nigerian hitman sent another header inches wide from Booysen's pass. A flurry of cautions included a booking for Om Thavrak for an off-the-ball trip on Bisan that prompted a mini flare-up, before Naga had to replace their goalkeeper, Seiha leaving the pitch with a knee injury. On 78 minutes, Thavrak tripped Sokthorn as he broke through, leaving referee Khuon Virak with no option but to brandish a second yellow card.  Booysen sent a long range drive wide before he combined with Sokthorn and lashed a shot against the upright at the end of a 60-yard run.  Bisan's neat chip to the far post gave Sodavid a sight of goal but his shot was turned aside at the foot of the post by the replacement keeper Phorn Rathana. A double substitution saw Keo Sokpheng introduced, and his final pass, from Sokthorn's incisive run on the left wing, gave Booysen space to cut inside and sent an unerring drive into the bottom corner for Crown's second with three seconds of normal time remaining.  In the five minutes of stoppage time, Booysen's long range effort was collected by Rathana and Yongsun Baek's shot, from Sokpheng's pass, went a foot wide of the upright. 2-nil and game over. Now the teams wait for the Play-off 2nd Leg on 12 December, also at Olympic Stadium.

Head coach Sam Schweingruber on the 2-0 victory over Nagaworld in the 1st leg of the Play-off Final. "We survived an unbelievably poor first fifteen minutes. We couldnt deal with the slow ball speed, we had so many intercepted passes. We didn't play at all the way we were hoping to play, we made life very difficult for ourselves. I'm not surprised as we had little time to work as a team with our national team players gone for three weeks, etc; we'd not had enough opportunities to work on these things. Nevertheless, we sorted it out, got into the game before half-time. We could've had a goal on the Thierry free-kick and rebound but from the 30th minute, I didn't feel Naga looked like scoring. We had everything covered.
We worked on set pieces yesterday, so I was happy that one of those worked out as it did, although not as we planned. Our speed and our runs made it very difficult for them to deal with it, they got a player sent off and from then, it was always going to be us.
There's still another game to go, we'll have a few days to relax and focus on recovery. Mentally, its been a tough two weeks, not just football-wise but with other events at the club. We'll be back for a determined two weeks, working extremely hard to be even better than today. While the result today was satisfying, the way we played wasn't, so I want us to do better." 

PPCFC vs Naga: Soksela (GK), Makara, C Pisa, Boris (Capt), Obadin, Thierry, Sokthorn (Dani 90+3), Chanpolin, Sodavid (Baek 86), Booysen, Bisan (Sokpheng 86). Subs (not used): Danny (GK), Boran, Tola, Yaneat. Bookings: Obadin, Bisan. Goals: Bisan (55), Booysen (90).

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.”

8 wins on the trot

Wednesday 29 July 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 1 BBU 0 (Metfone C-League).
Phnom Penh Crown took their winning streak of results to eight successive Metfone C-League victories but at a cost when defender Ngoy Srin fell awkwardly in the closing moments of the game and suffered a serious fracture of his arm. The Crown players were visibly shaken by the freak accident as the full-time whistle went soon after. The only goal of the game at RSN Stadium came on 33 minutes when Shane Booysen hit a first-time effort inside the far post for goal number 10 this season, after fabulous approach play by Va Sokthorn. Crown went close on other occasions through George Bisan, Sary Matnorotin, Sokthorn and Leng Makara and led by a single goal at the break. Two floodlight failures early in the second-half, causing a thirty-one minute delay, broke the game’s rhythm though Crown created the most dangerous moments through Bisan, Keo Sokpheng and Booysen without extending their lead. Crown go back to the top of the MCL on 25 points from 9 games played.

Following the 1-nil success, head coach Sam Schweingruber offered up his thoughts. “After the last 4 or 5 games one of the major messages from me to the players was that we need to be more disciplined and better organised, to take our defending more seriously. In that way we regret when we don’t score more but I’m quite happy when we show discipline and work really hard. I don’t think they (BBU) had a real chance in the whole game. I thought we should’ve finished it off with a few more goals, we definitely had enough to score a second or a third in the second-half. It was very disappointing and sad that one of the players who stuck to the game plan and played a very disciplined and selfless game – Srin – should suffer such a serious injury. I hope he recovers quickly. The team was shocked, some were in tears, they felt really sad for their teammate, but that’s football, it’s happened to other teams too and we have to deal with it.
Our goal was brilliance by Sokthorn. His driving, quick passing and the final ball to Shane to score was very clinical. Some great work throughout the game from Sokthorn, maybe my man of the match. I was shocked how the officials didn’t understand what was happening with Shane – not protecting one of the best players in the league – finally after the fifth poor foul on him we saw a yellow card. He was also booked for nothing but great players have to deal with that kind of treatment. Finally, I want to apologise to the fans and to BBU for the floodlight failure. It’s not satisfying and we will sort it out.”

Update: The latest update on defender Ngoy Srin is that he underwent surgery on a double fracture of his left forearm in the early hours of this morning. The surgeon, Dr Vuthy, said the surgery to insert two pins to knit the bones together was a success and if everything goes to plan, he could be back on the training pitch in three months time. Srin is currently under observation at Dr Vuthy’s clinic and everyone at PPCFC sends him their best wishes for a complete recovery and thanks to all the fans who have sent their kind words of support and encouragement.

Crown hit five

PPCFC vs Western, back row, LtoR: Obadin (capt), Thierry, Bisan, Srin, Booysen, Ary. Front: Dani, Sokthorn, Suhana, Matnorotin, C Pisa - click to enlarge

Saturday 25 July 2015: Western 3 Phnom Penh Crown5 (Metfone C-League).
Crown took their consecutive wins to 7 with this victory on a very wet Western artificial surface. In a dominant first-half, Crown went three goals up by the break with two George Bisan headers, from crosses by Va Sokthorn and Shane Booysen, on 16 and 31 minutes. Booysen, who earlier struck the cross-bar, stepped up to convert a penalty for hand-ball on 41 minutes. Bin Thierry blasted a free-kick against the bar and other chances went begging, before Mohammed Tijani curled in a great shot on 66 minutes for the home team. With 9 minutes to go, Booysen took a pass from Keo Sokngon in his stride and crashed in his second goal, but Western came back again, through a Tijani header from close range on 87 minutes. In the last minute of normal time, Booysen completed his hat-trick, cracking home a Kouch Dani cross for Crown's fifth though there was still time for Mathew Osa to send a low drive inside the post to end the match at 5-3 in Crown's favour.
Full match report to follow.

In second spot, still

PCFC starting XI, back row, LtoR: Thierry, Bisan, C Pisa, Makara, Ary, Boris (capt). Front: Dani, Boran, Suhana, Koroma, Booysen - click to enlarge

Thursday 23 July 2015: Kirivong 2 Phnom Penh Crown 5 (Metfone C-League).
Crown maintained their unbeaten record to remain in 2nd place but found Kirivong stubborn opponents. In fact Kirivong led 2-1 at the half-time interval with goals from Meng Sombor on 23 minutes and Ek Sopheap on 36 minutes. Sandwiched in between, George Bisan scored for Crown, knocking the ball in at the far post from a Bin Thierry free-kick on 33 minutes. Kirivong went a man down just before the break when Adebayo Ademola was sent off for a 2nd yellow card, tripping Bisan as he was in on goal. Eight minutes into the 2nd half, Kirivong lost another player, Meng Sombor for two yellow cards in quick succession for fouls on Leng Makara. As Crown pressed home their advantage, Makara and Santi Koroma hit the woodwork before the equaliser finally arrived on 72 minutes as Shane Booysen finished off a pass from Bisan. Two minutes later, Booysen was on the scoresheet again, blasting the ball home from close range after Bisan's header was cleared off the line. It was all one-way traffic and Bisan netted his second, heading in a Booysen cross and then completed his hat-trick in the 91st minute, running onto Yok Ary's long kick and walking the ball into the net. 5-2 to PPCFC and job done.
Match report to follow.

MCL Round 6

The Metfone C-League table after six rounds of the campaign. Click to enlarge.

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."

MCL - round 5

MCL - round 5 - click to enlarge

4 wins in 4

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

Wednesday 15 July 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 2 Army 0 (Metfone C-League).
Crown's South African wing wizard Shane Booysen will be wondering how he didn't kill off Army almost single-handedly at RSN Stadium this evening. He scored with the last kick of the first-half, completing the perfect finish to a perfect one-two move with Va Sokthorn that completely tore open the Army defence, but was upset at the final whistle that he didn't do better with other chances that came his way. In the fifth minute he struck the cross-bar and late in the half, sent clear by Kouch Dani, he rounded the goalkeeper for an easy tap-in, only to see Op Kamol recover to save on the goal-line. Twice in the second-half, keeper Yok Ary sent Booysen speeding clear of the Army defenders, but his first chance went skidding wide and the other was snuffed out by Army keeper Um Sereyroth, who was also at full stretch to keep another snap-shot by Booysen at bay and then saved a late effort with his feet at the near post.
Sereyroth was an obstacle Crown found hard to breakdown with Sary Matnorotin seeing the keeper pull off a great stop early on. However, the first goal arrived on 37 minutes as Matnorotin's corner found George Bisan unmarked ten yards out and he headed the ball into the bottom corner for the opener. Booysen's goal gave the home team a two-goal interval lead. After the break it was Sereyroth who was to deny Bin Thierry and Keo Sokngon, with other efforts blocked or wayward as Crown failed to add to their tally and had to settle for a 2-nil victory, their fourth win in succession.

In a positive mood after the final whistle, head coach Sam Schweingruber gave his view on the 2-0 success over Army."We have managed to create a lot of chances today. I think Shane in particular must feel disappointed not to have scored more - he did a lot of things very well, though some of it was the keeper and others, his lack of urgency and too many touches. 
We had a lot more control over the game today than the last few matches. We won the last game 6-1 but I feel more happy with the way we played today. We played the way we wanted to, we created enough chances, should've score more and will be kicking ourselves if goal difference will be the decider later on. I'm happy with the discipline we showed and whilst it wasn't 90 minutes of entertainment, after the last few games, I feel much better with our performance today - as I saw a team in most situations implement the game plan and follow instructions.
Sorry for the fans who were hoping for more entertainment and goals - I think we created a lot of chances - but at the end of the day we did the job and with disciplined performances like this, we can build upon and be ready for the next games, which will come very quickly."

Crown hit six

PPCFC vs AEU, back row, LtoR; Obadin, Bisan, Thierry, Makara, Ary, Boris. Front Row: Koroma, Sokthorn, Boran, Sokpheng, Matnorotin - click to enlarge

Sunday 12 July 2015: AEU 1 PPCFC 6 (Metfone C-League).
PPCFC ran out easy winners at RSN, despite being the away team at their own stadium! AEU held their nerve for the first-half and went close through Chan Hai and Sunday Ayodele before Crown put Kha Theara in the AEU goal, to the test through Long Boran and George Bisan twice, while Leng Makara miskicked in front of goal. AEU were reduced to 10-men on 25 minutes when Hou Sambo received a straight red card for a dangerous foot up on Bin Thierry. Goalless at the interval, that soon changed when within 51 seconds of the restart, Bin Thierry's pass sent Keo Sokpheng clear and he neatly rolled the ball inside the far post. Three minutes in and Sokpheng fed debutant Santi Koroma who burst between two defenders and lashed the ball into the top corner from an angle. Theara saved with his fingertips from Bisan but was helpless as a Sokpheng's corner wasn't cleared and Makara poked the ball past him from three yards out on 51 minutes.
Sokpheng had two more chances but failed to score before George Kelechi accepted a gift from the Crown defence to reduce the arrears on 54 minutes. Four minutes later, Sokpheng send Bisan clear and he opened his body up to send his angled drive inside the far post. Sary Matnorotin was out of luck with three good chances before Va Sokthorn sent a low drive inside the upright for number five on 77 minutes. Bisan headed wide from Matnorotin's cross but three minutes later the Nigerian hit-man had a simple tap-in after Matnorotin's sprint clear and low center. There was still time for Ngoy Srin to come on and fail to find the target with three opportunities as Crown coasted to a 6-1 victory though they will feel they should've done a lot better.
Head coach Sam Schweingruber's after-match views following PPCFC's 6-1 demolition of AEU. "Yes we won but I am quite disappointed. There was a lack of application, not enough intensity or movement, they were down to a red card early in the game and we still failed. We woke up at half-time and scored four goals in ten minutes or so - I don't know why we have good moments and good phases and then for too long are disappointing. It was not in the plan to be messing around at the back. They had a few chances so it was fair they scored, but we need to defend with more calm and class than we did. As for in front of goal, we were too selfish and that's not good enough."

Round 3 of the MCL

Round 3 of the Metfone C-League was completed this midweek and the shock result of the six matches was the continuation of Svay Rieng's indifferent form, being held 3-3 by CMAC (Cambodia Mine Action Centre), the league's newest faces. It needed a late strike from Dzarma Bata, his second of the game, to spare the home sides' blushes after Tony Janzen, CMAC's American import had bagged a hat-trick (taking his 3-game tally to 5 goals) and Phany Y Rotha had pegged a goal back. The Hun Sen Cup holders will need to get back to winning ways against Western Uni this weekend or face dropping further behind the leaders. Boeungket looked uncomfortable for the first half at Army but some woeful defending gave Gbenga Ajayi two goals early in the second period and Khuon Laboravy finished them off at 3-0. Back on top are the reigning champions Phnom Penh Crown, who rattled in three against Cambodian Tiger before the visitors to RSN netted a late consolation just before the break. No goals in the second-half. George Bisan headed in twice for Crown after Sary Matnorotin had opened the scoring. Yoshihara Masato scored for the Tigers. Two goals apiece for Mathew Osa (Western) and Richard Omokafe (BBU) as the team's fought out a 2-2 draw. Nagaworld scored three without reply in the first-half against AEU and that was the final score, with Khim Borey 2 and Barry Lelouma netting for Naga. National Police came good at last with a 3-1 win over Kirivong. Tith Dina grabbed a hat-trick while Em Phanna scored for Kirivong. Pick of the weekend matches: Nagawirld vs CMAC - can the MCL newbies, CMAC, continue their unbeaten run of three consecutive draws? Here's the current league table, courtesy of Sabay.

Tigers tamed

PPCFC vs C/Tiger, back row, LtoR; Obadin, Srin, Bisan, Makara, Ary, Boris (capt). Front: Sokthorn, Suhana, Sokpheng, Matnorotin, Booysen - click to enlarge

Thursday 9 July 2015: Phnom Penh Crown 3 Cambodian Tiger 1 (Metfone C-League).
It was pretty much one-way traffic in the first-half of this first meeting between the two teams under floodlights at RSN Stadium. Cambodian Tiger were under the cosh from the start as Crown controlled possession and created chances. Shane Booysen twice had shots saved before Sary Matnorotin knocked in the first goal, on 10 minutes, after Keo Sokpheng had fed George Bisan and his first-time drilled shot was flapped away by Tiger's keeper Yoshida Yasuyuki into Matnorotin's path. Bisan and Booysen both missed the target, while the Tigers had an effort ruled out for offside, before Crown struck again. On 34 minutes, Yok Ary's long kick found Booysen, and his whipped cross sought out Bisan in unmarked territory and his header found the net. Two minutes later, in almost identical fashion, Bisan's forehead met Booysen's pinpoint center and the ball bounced over the keeper's despairing dive. Cue the duo's double somersault routine. Three minutes before the break and the Tiger's Yoshihara Masato found space behind the home defence and as Ary left his box, the Japanese striker lobbed the ball into the net to make it 3-1. Booysen went close again with a half volley just before the whistle.
After the interval, Neou Sosela blasted over and Booysen blasted wide, whilst Sokpheng was denied by Yasuyuki's brave save and Sok Chanrasmey completely missed a simple tap-in in front of goal. A few half chances followed but the 2nd-half failed to live up to the promise of more goals and it stayed at 3-1 to send champions Crown to the top of the MCL table after three matches.

Crown coach Sam Schweingruber was less than happy at the final whistle of yesterday's 3-1 success over Cambodian Tiger at RSN Stadium. "We played an outstanding first ten minutes and after that I thought we were rubbish. I don't remember the last time I was so unhappy with the performance of the team up to half-time. I thought we were very poor while Cambodian Tiger were extremely poor. In the first-half they should've been 5, 6 or 7 goals down by half-time but we were disappointing.
Our shape in and out of possession was not what we planned, we were lucky to score the 2nd and 3rd goals, a copy of each other, and despite us having lots of chances, I don't think that was a game we will be proud of. We invited them to come to us, like we did against Naga, we were shocking in our decision-making, passing and how to keep the ball.
The second-half was better with our organisation, we had chances but with the quality of players we have, I was disappointed with what we missed in front of goal. But in general I thought it was a better second-half."

Metfone League - review of first two rounds

Let's have a look at the Cambodian League after completion of Round 2 of the MCL. It's interesting to note that every team has already dropped points and only Asia Euro haven't registered any points at all, but with games coming quick and fast, everything could change in the blink of an eye. On day 1 of the campaign, BBU rattled in seven against AEU, who replied with two of their own. Richard Omokafe and Thai Phalla both grabbed two goals apiece. The big one, Phnom Penh Crown against Boeung Ket, ended up goal-less though entertaining for the 3,500 crowd who watched the game at Crown's brand new RSN Stadium in Toul Kork. Chhin Chhoeun scored Army's winner is a  2-1 victory over Western, whilst Cambodian Tiger came good, 2-0, on their debut against National Police. Nagaworld found a winner from Nhim Sovannara over Svay Rieng in a match they dominated but could only break the deadlock late on. The league's other new faces, CMAC, had American import Tony Janzen to thank for a late goal to claim a point in a 1-1 draw with Kirivong.

Round 2 didn't waste any time in getting underway, with games every weekend and midweek for the foreseeable future. It was a duel of two strikers at Svay Rieng, where AEU made a real game of it, only to fall to a late Dzarma Bata goal, for his hat-trick. He was the league's top marksman last term. As for AEU, George Kelechi netted twice. Army drew 1-1 with National Police who've begun the season quietly, while BBU couldn't repeat their opening day massacre, being held 1-1 with CMAC, for whom Janzen scored again. On the artificial turf at Western Stadium, the home team went goal crazy, at both ends. Mohammed Tijani, a recruit from Boeung Ket, rattled in 4 goals including two penalties, as they outgunned Kirivong 6-4, for whom Ek Sopheap netted a hat-trick. To score three in a game and to still lose must've been disheartening for the striker. Boeung Ket picked up their first win, 3-2 over plucky Cambodian Tiger, with Chan Vathanaka scoring twice and Yemi Oyewole grabbing the winner, as player-coach Kihara Masakazu and Suong Virak replied. Playing their second of six straight games at RSN, Phnom Penh Crown rolled over Nagaworld 4-2, who fought back but in vain. Shane Booysen wowed the crowd with two goals and George Bisan also weighed in with a brace, while Chin Chum and Sok Rithy sparked a short-lived revival. The pick of the Round 3 games this midweek is Crown against Cambodian Tiger at RSN on Thursday, kick-off at 6pm. Tiger performed well against Boeung Ket and can they reproduce that form against the champions, who were too quick and strong for Naga at the weekend.

Fixtures - final version?

The football federation have issued a revised fixture list for the 2015 Metfone C-League involving PPCFC. The matches that will be shown live on BTV are indicated as *LIVE.
Round 1:
Thu 2 July vs Boeung Ket @ RSN Stadium 6pm *LIVE
Sun 5 July vs Nagaworld @ RSN 6pm
Thu 9 July vs Cambodian Tiger @ RSN 6pm *LIVE
Sun 12 Jul vs Asia Europe @ RSN 3.30pm or 6pm
Wed 15 Jul vs Army @ RSN 6pm *LIVE
Sat 18 Jul vs CMAC @ RSN 6pm *LIVE
Thu 23 Jul vs Kirivong @ Tonle Bati 3.30pm
Sat 25 Jul vs Western @ Western Stadium 3.30pm
Wed 29 Jul vs BBU @ RSN 6pm
Sat 1 Aug vs National Police @ Army Stadium 3.30pm *LIVE
Wed 5 Aug vs Svay Rieng @ Svay Rieng 6pm LIVE.

Round 2:
Sat 8 Aug vs Svay Rieng @ RSN 6pm
Wed 12 Aug vs Nagaworld @ Olympic 3.30pm
Sat 15 Aug vs Cambodian Tiger @ Western 3.30pm
Sat 12 Sep vs Asia Europe @ RSN 6pm
Wed 16 Sep vs Army @ Army 3.30pm
Sat 19 Sep vs CMAC @ Olympic 3.30pm *LIVE
Thu 24 Sep vs Kirivong @ RSN 6pm
Sat 26 Sep vs Western @ RSN 6pm
Wed 30 Sep vs BBU @ Olympic 6pm
Sat 17 Oct vs National Police @ RSN 6pm
Thu 22 Oct vs Boeung Ket @ Army 3.30pm.
Play-off dates: 28 & 31 Oct, 21 & 22 Nov and Final on 6 Dec.