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. 

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.

More Academy victories

PPCFC U-17s, back row, LtoR: Chanvuthy, Sakrovy, Noron, Chanchav, V Samnang, Titchhy. Front: Rozak, Phearath, Noeut, Muslim, Piphop (capt) - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy U-17s 23 Bong Paoun 0 (Cambodia U-17 Youth League).
As it was in their first meeting in the Youth League, it was all one-way traffic from the opening minute of this afternoon's game at Tonle Bati. Coach Bouy Dary used the game to give his squad players a run-out. The U-17s led 11-0 at the interval and top scorer for the game was Mat Sakrovy, who scored five goals in the first-half and another three after the break to hit 8. Mat Noron scored 4, captain Men Piphop scored 3, and Suon Noeut moved up from full-back to net a hat-trick as well. Yeu Muslim 2, Choun Chanchav, Long Phearath and Ian Sodavid also scored. More later.

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

Result: PPCFC Academy U-15s 8 Chraing Chamres 1 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).
The Academy U-15s made it six out of six with another comprehensive victory, but conceded their first goal of the season, a penalty. Mao Piseth top scored again, netting five goals, opening the scoring and grabbing another on the stroke of half-time. Chraing Chamres' only attack of the 1st half earned then a penalty, which they scored. After the break, Nop David scored from the penalty spot, Sin Kakada floated in a free-kick and Tong Chanmony fired in an unstoppable shot. Piseth took advantage of some weak defending with two goals from open play, before he wrapped it up from the penalty spot with his fifth. More later.

U-15s make it five

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

Result: PPCFC Academy U-15 6 Chhlam Samut 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).
Captain for the day Mao Piseth gave the Academy U-15s a fifth minute lead and they went onto dominate their opponents to record their 5th victory in as many matches at Tonle Bati. Sin Kakada provided the pass to Piseth, but the striker did all the hard work for his own second goal, dodging the attentions of three defenders and firing in a superb finish on 28 minutes. Sok Panha let fly from 25 yards and his shot took a deflection off a defender's head to put the Academy 3-nil ahead on the stroke of half-time. Seven minutes after the restart, Nop David set up Kakada for another excellent finish as Crown made all the running. On 66 minutes San David produced an audacious lob from 20 yards for a fifth and Yue Safy's deflected shot made it six in the final minute.
Match report to come.

4 in 4

PPCFC U-15s, back row, LtoR; Rafat, Samnang, Safy, Sovannaroth, Chanmony, Chetra. Front: Kakada, Pisoth, Piseth, Panha, N David (capt) - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15 2 Svay Rieng 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).
The Academy U-15s made it 4 wins in as many league games with a dominant performance at Tonle Bati on Sunday morning. After SVR struck the cross-bar early on with their only real threat of the game, Crown took control and Svang Samnang should've opened the scoring when put through by Mao Piseth, but fired straight at the goalkeeper. The same player opened the scoring 18 minutes when Piseth's shot was saved and Samnang followed up to head home. Piseth had an angled shot saved and Samnang blasted a Lim Pisoth pass over the crossbar before half-time. Piseth screwed a good chance across the face of goal before the clock ticked onto 63 minutes and Sok Panha added a clinical finish under the advancing keeper to Vuth Sophara's neat through ball, to seal the victory. Twice in the space of a minute in stoppage time Sophara went close, but found the SVR goalkeeper in good form, as Crown took the three points on offer and lead the league table.
PPCFC U-15s; Rafat, Chanmony, Chetra (Savey 59), Safy, Sovannaroth, Samnang (Sophara 51), Kakada (Rina 69), N David (capt), Panha, Pisoth, Piseth. Subs not used: Samel, Punlork, Davann. MOTM: Kakada. Goals: Samnang (18), Panha (63).

U-15s three in three

PPCFC U-15s. Back Row, LtoR: Rafat, Sovannaroth, Sivey, Panha, Safy, Samnang (capt). Front: Kakada, Piseth, Nop David, Rina, San David - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-15 Academy 4 Takeo 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).
On a very soggy pitch at Tonle Bati, the Academy U-15s did their best to play football despite the awful conditions in their third U-15 Youth League game. Constant rain left patches of water on the playing surface, which curtailed much of the Academy's usual passing style. They took an early lead in the 35-minute match of two halves, through Mao Piseth in the 4th minute. Captain Svang Samnang's long distance drive was spilled by the Takeo goalkeeper and Piseth was on hand to poke in the loose ball. In the 15th minute, another strong run to the byeline and center by Samnang was nodded in by a stooping Piseth for their second goal. Six minutes later, a one-two between Piseth and Sin Kakada, saw the latter's delightful through ball turned in with an equally deft touch by Piseth for his hat-trick. In time added on, Kie Rina made a timely goal-line clearance to keep the interval score at 3-0 to Crown. Into the second half and Kakada sent Samnang rampaging through the middle but his shot was well saved by the keeper, who was hurt in the follow-up from Sok Panha. Coach Bouy Dary was comfortable enough to make three changes as Crown controlled the tempo and a fourthn goal arrived two minutes into stoppage time when Vuth Sophara's pass sent Piseth clear and his execution was spot-on for his, and Crown's fourth goal. That m,ade it three wins in as many games.
PPCFC U-15s v Takeo: Rafat, Rina (Sophara 68), Sovannaroth, Safy, Savey (Punlork 64), N David (Pisoth 61), S David, Samnang, Panha, Kakada, Piseth. Subs not used: Davann. Bookings: S David, Savey. MOTM: Piseth - 4 goal hero. Goals: Piseth 4 (4, 15, 21, 72).

PPCFC 1st Team, back row, LtoR: Kotamake, Sovythang, Bosma, Sokheng, Obadin, Ary. Front: Dara, Borey, Boris, Matnorotin, Da - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC 1st Team 5 PPCFC U-17 Academy 0 (Friendly)
The Phnom Penh Crown senior team played an in-house practice match at RSN Stadium on Saturday afternoon (27 September) against the club's U-17 Academy team and had their work cut out during a first-half which the Academy held the upper hand. Yeu Muslim had an early chance for the youngsters which he fluffed, and then broke clear midway through the half, racing onto a Seut Baraing long ball, but Yok Ary stood up and diverted his shot wide. A back-pedalling Ary did well to tip a Mat Sakrovy left-foot dipping drive over the bar and just before the break, Odion Obadin's long legs did just enough to take Ouk Sovann's cross off the toes of Muslim. The only serious threat from the seniors came a minute earlier when a poor Kung Chanvuthy kick-out was returned by Khim Borey and Sary Matnorotin, on trial from AEU, twice crashed in drives which Chanvuthy saved at point-blank range on both occasions.

Tes Sophat, in charge of the seniors in Sam Schweingruber's absence, brought on his not-so-secret weapon, Baldwin Ngwa, at the break and he proved to be the difference between the two sides. Koen Bosma tried an effort from distance with less than a minute on the clock but it fizzed wide. Ngwa got his first shot on target a minute later, but Chanvuthy kept it out and Matnorotin blasted the rebound over the bar. The U-17s keeper was much busier in the second period and he slapped away another Bosma stinger before Ngwa opened the floodgates on 53 minutes. Borey's center to the near post was met by the Cameroon striker, who turned neatly and rolled his shot into the corner. Chanvuthy did well to push away Borey's 25-yard drive but with an hour gone Ngwa tapped in his second after the keeper fumbled a cross-shot from Borey. Soon after Ngwa headed wide and then over the top, Chanvuthy turned aside a Borey shot then pushed a cracking Bosma drive onto the cross-bar. At the other end, Mat Noron failed to compose himself and blasted well over from ten yards out, but that was an exception to the rule as the senior team continued to press. Ly Morslim and Ngwa set each other up, but both failed to hit the target. With the first-team leading by two goals, the Academy had a guilt-edged chance to get back into the game when Obadin was guilty of a trip on In Sodavid, but Suon Noeut blasted the ball well over from the penalty spot, with 7 minutes to go. A minute later, Ngwa won two challenges, fed George Bisan and he poked the ball home from close range. Another minute gone and the seniors added a fourth as Morslim found Pekko Kotamake's run into the box and the Finnish midfielder finished coolly. Two minutes remaining and Ngwa claimed his hat-trick when Morslim skipped down the right flank and crossed for the striker to find the target with another deadly touch. There was still time for Chanvuthy to deny Ngwa twice more and he then sent a header just wide of the upright as the final whistle blew. 
PPCFC 1st Team: Ary (Soksela 46), Dara (Pisa 24) Da, Boris, Obadin, Kotamake, Sokheng (Bisan 59), Matnorotin (Morslim 69), Borey, Sovythang (Ngwa 46), Bosma. MOTM: Ngwa. Goals: Ngwa 3 (53, 60, 88), Bisan (84), Kotamake (85).
PPCFC U-17s: Chanvuthy, Sovann (Chansopheak 59), Phearath (V Samnang 63), Chanchav (Sakrovy 83), Baraing (Ponvuthy 74), Chanpolin, Sodavid, Rozak (Piphop 17), Sakrovy (Noron 46), Ponvuthy (Senteang 46 (Muslim 86)), Muslim (Noeut 46).

PPCFC U-17s, Back Row, LtoR: Chanvuthy, Chanpolin, Chanchav, Rozak, Sodavid, Sakrovy. Front: Sovann, Ponvuthy, Muslim, Baraing, Phearath - click to enlarge

The new head coach of Boeung Ket is John McGlynn, the Englishman who parted company with Phnom Penh Crown a month ago, after a year or so as one of Sam Schweingruber's backroom team. He spent thirty years in Australia after emigrating from Liverpool, played in the forces team down under and coached teams in the Western Australia region of the country before coming over to Cambodia. Boeung Ket were looking for a new man at the helm after Prak Vuthy announced he was stepping down. He led them to the title in 2012 but had to settle for consecutive runners-up spots in the past two seasons.

Late goals win it

PPCFC U-15s v CA. Back row, LtoR: Rafat, Chanmony, Sovannaroth, N David, Safy, Samnang (capt). Front: S David, Piseth, Chetra, Panha, Kakada - click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-15 Academy 2 Civil Aviation 0 (U-15 Youth League).
Played at Tonle Bati, this was a tight game in Crown's second Cambodia U-15 Youth League program. Returning from injury, Mao Piseth fired over when well placed, Sin Kakada had a shot well saved and on the half-hour Piseth brought out a brilliant stop from the CA keeper. Goal-less at half-time. Crown suffered a blow ten minutes into the second period when Yet Chetra was booked twice in the space of two minutes and saw red. Both challenges were mis-timed and the dismissal was warranted. However the reduction to ten-men inspired the Crown Academy boys who quickly took control and on 59 minutes they took the lead. Svang Samnang, more often wearing the gloves between the goal-posts, strode confidently forward from his deep-lying midfield position, broke through two tackles and calmly slotted the ball into the corner of the net. On 68 minutes the result was sealed. Kakada sent over an inch-perfect cross and Piseth was on hand to head the ball inside the far post and give the Academy a 2-0 winning scoreline. 
PPCFC v Civil Aviation: Rafat, Chanmony, Chetra, Safy, Sovannaroth, Samnang, S David, N David, Kakada, Panha, Piseth. Subs not used: Pisoth, Savey, Punlork, Rina, Samel, Davann. Bookings: Chetra (+ red card). Goals: Samnang (59), Piseth (68).
Footnote: The players who didn't play against Civil Aviation played an 8-a-side against a FFC Academy team a few hours later and won't be keen to remember the scoreline, losing 11-0, during the three periods of twenty minutes each half. Their excuse was they had eaten too much at lunchtime.

23 without reply

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

Result: Phnom Penh Crown U-15s 23 Kandal 0 (U-15 Youth League).
The Crown Academy U-15s started the defence of their U-15 Cambodia Youth League title with what can only be described as a comprehensive victory. The two halves were 35 minutes each and Crown led 12-0 at half-time. The game was played at Tonle Bati. New face Vuth Sophara started the rout on five minutes with a neat lob. Pich Sovannaroth's bye-line center was headed home by Sok Panha, who went onto score 9 goals, soon after. Panha was a replacement in attack for Mao Piseth, who injured his groin in the warm-up. The Kandal keeper couldn't keep Tong Chanmony's shot from creeping over the line and was helpless as Panha finished off Sin Kakada's cross. Kakada himself scored when his center found its way into the net at the far post. He struck again on 23 minutes, taking a San David pass into his stride before firing home. Sophara grabbed his second with a well-measured 25-yard lob less than a minute later. The goals were coming thick and fast and the next five all came from the boot of Panha. San David won a tackle and set him free down the middle for an easy finish. A great Kakada pass saw Panha shoot straight through the Kandal keeper. Nop David weaved his way through three challenges and set up Panha for another, Chea Savey's pass found the striker in space and he made it eleven before Panha scored his seventh of the game from Sophara pass on the stroke of half-time. One-way traffic doesn't really do the sentence justice.

A tired goal-kick went straight to Kakada and he scored two minutes on from the restart. Sophara and Panha both then struck the woodwork before Chanmony robbed a defender to score with ease. Moments later he repeated the feat, winning a tackle with the keeper to score. A Panha shot was well stopped by the over-worked goalkeeper only for Sophara to knock in the rebound. Another weak goal-kick was returned with Panha rolling it in, and then Chanmony tapped home after Panha's unselfish pass. Chanmony capitalised on another poor kick out to score, Panha hit the cross-bar before Sophara made it twenty goals, smashing Kakada's pass into the roof of the net. Panha took his personal tally to nine after making the opening himself. Chanmony netted his double hat-trick tally with a diving header form Kakada's cross, and the final word went to Sophara, the new boy, who crowned his fine game with yet another lob from distance.ment in attack, Sok Panha scored 9 goals, 7 of them in the first-half. Tong Chanmony scored 6, Vuth Sophara on his debut, scored 5 and Sin Kakada netted 3 goals
PPCFC U-15s v Kandal: Rafat, Chanmony, Chetra (Samel 52), Safy (Rina 47), Sovannaroth, Savey, N David (capt), S David (Pisoth 43), Kakada, Sophara, Panha. Subs not used: S Samnang, Punlork, Darapich, Davann. Goals: Panha 9 (8, 15, 28, 29, 32, 34, 36, 52, 63), Chanmony 6 (14, 40, 41, 54, 59, 65), Sophara 5 (5, 24, 50, 62, 69), Kakada 3 (17, 23, 37).

LtoR: Tong Chanmony (6 goals), Sok Panha (9 goals) and Vuth Sophara (5 goals) - click to enlarge

U-15s deserve their success

PPCFC U-15s v SSAC, back row, LtoR: Chanmony, Saphy, Chanchav, Sovannaroth, S Samnang, Baraing (capt). Front Row: Kakada, Piseth, N David, Rafat, Rozak - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy U-15 3 SSCA 1 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League Play-off Final).
The Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15s have beaten all before them this season, winning every match they've played, scoring 130 goals and conceding just two, so it came as no surprise when they beat SSCA to win the Cambodia Youth League Championship, despite an under-par performance. Perhaps nerves played a part for them and the U-17s too, with both teams lacking the fluidity we've come to expect, but its clear that no-one can match the passing game of the Academy teams and even without their top goalscorer Suon Noeut and down to ten men for the whole of the 2nd half, the U-15s were simply too strong for their plucky opponents. Minus Noeut, who sprained his wrist playing for the U-17s in the earlier game, coach Bouy Dary pushed his captain, Seut Baraing, into attack and it proved a master-stroke. Baraing too, had played for the U-17s, netted a penalty in the spot-kick shoot-out and then scampered from the pitch to join his U-15 teammates waiting to enter the arena. He proved to be the dominant force for the Crown Academy throughout the match, spurning two good opportunities before opening the scoring on 36 minutes. Early on he sent Sat Rozak racing clear only for the SSCA goalkeeper to deny him. Rozak returned the pass to Baraing minutes later but he fired wide and then burst into the box, only for the opposing keeper, who had a fine game, to save his shot. However, he was not to be denied as Mao Piseth set him up, and though his first shot was blocked, he rolled in the opener from a tight angle. The skipper was sent clear again six minutes later and was hauled to the ground by the keeper. Rozak stepped up to score with confidence. A minute before the break, the referee, Chi Samedy, took an unnecessary part in proceedings. Having already booked Sin Kakada for kicking the ball away, he decided Kakada was guilty of the same offence a 2nd time and flashed a second yellow and a red card to the distraught youngster. Video replays clearly show that Kakada was in the motion of kicking the ball as the referee blew his whistle and had no chance to stop himself. Probably one of the worst decisions I have seen in youth football from a C-League referee who should know better. Crown would play the entire second-half with ten men and Kakada sat with his family in the grandstand, with his head in his hands.

SSCA showed their intent to not lie down and take defeat easily by missing the target by inches just 37 seconds after the restart. After Baraing fired a good chance across the face of goal, SSCA scored only the 3rd goal that the Academy have conceded in the competition, with the half just six minutes old. SSCA took advantage of a hesitant defence and their speedy striker grabbed the goal his performance deserved. A few minutes later Svang Samnang, playing in the heart of defence rather than his normal role between the sticks, sent Baraing clear though his finish sailed over the cross-bar. Another Baraing effort was saved before he left the field with ten minutes remaining. With just a minute of normal time to go, Men Piphop chased the ball and harried a defender into conceding an own goal to make the game safe. The referee then added on an extra nine minutes - he obviously had his own agenda - during which time Piphop ran through but lobbed wide of the target and Nop David's free-kick was saved low down. The final whistle eventually came as the Academy U-15s celebrated their deserved success and Seut Baraing stepped up to collect the Championship trophy. Suon Noeut was awarded Top Goalscorer with his 54 goals in just 8 matches, he also received the Most Valuable Player award and rightly so, whilst Kong Rafat was awarded Best Goalkeeper, Bouy Dary got the Best Coach trophy and the team were given the Fair Play award too. A clean sweep of awards, in a season in which they were the dominant force in the country's Youth League. 
PPCFC U-15s v SSCA: Rafat, Chanmony, Sovannaroth (S David 97), S Samnang, Saphy, Chanchav, N David, Rozak, Kakada, Piseth (Piphop 61), Baraing (K Chhaya 81). Sub not used: Pisoth. Bookings: Kakada (+ red card), N David. MOTM: Baraing - a true captain's performance. Goals: Baraing (36), Rozak (42 pen), OG (89).

The PPCFC U-15s collect their Championship medals and trophy, held aloft by skipper Seut Baraing - click to enlarge

Crown collect 2 Championships

PPCFC U-17s line-up: Back Row LtoR: K Chhaya, Titchhy, Senteang, Sovann, Soksela, Chanpolin (capt). Front Row: Sodavid, Noeut, Chansopheak, Piphop, Phearath - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy U-17 0 Svay Rieng 0 - PPCFC won 4-3 on penalties (Cambodia U-17 Youth League Play-off Final).
The two Cambodia Youth League play-off Finals took place today with the Phnom Penh Crown Academy teams collecting the Championships in both the U-17 and U-15 categories for a memorable double success. The first final was in the U-17 age group and Crown coach Bouy Dary included three players who were also set to feature in the U-15 match that would follow immediately after. Orn Chanpolin took the captain's armband for the final and Ouk Sovann made it through a late fitness test after a groin strain. Just three minutes into the game and Chhuot Senteang set up Suon Noeut but Sem Mesa was out quickly to block the danger. Long Phearath tried his luck from distance but without success, as did Kim Chhaya with a free-kick that sailed over. Next to test Mesa was In Sodavid as Crown edged possession but gave the ball away too much. Svay Rieng's best chance came on the half-hour and Keo Soksela got in the way with a 1-handed save low down to smother the danger. Sovann, booked for a clumsy tackle a little earlier, sent in a free-kick late in the half which Mesa held and the keeper then produced a brilliant tip over to deny a long-range effort from Phearath in time added on. Honours even at the half-time break.

Svay Rieng threatened briefly but sent their breakaway effort wide of the mark. On 66 minutes a Sovann free-kick found its way to Senteang, twelve yards out and in space, but he rushed his finish and sent it wildly over the cross-bar. Eight minutes from normal time and with both teams finding it hard going to establish any rhythm, Svay Rieng went down to ten men when a second yellow card was shown for a high foot on Pov Ponvuthy. The recipient had only been on the pitch for seven minutes and was booked twice in that time as Svay Rieng tried to kill the game. Vat Samnang shot weakly at Mesa and in the fourth minute of injury time, the province team were fortunate to escape a second red card as Senteang was scythed down as he raced through a static defence. Referee Tuy Vichheka blew for full-time and without enough time before the next final for extra-time the game went into a penalty-kick decider. Svay Rieng's Ravann took the opening kick and Soksela, diving to his right, pulled off a great save. Chanpolin placed his kick to the left and scored to put Crown ahead. Ratanak stepped up and sent his spot-kick over Soksela's head for 1-1 and late substitute Seut Baraing netted for Crown, though Mesa got a hand to it. Dinarong levelled it at 2 apiece before a moment of heartbreak for Pov Ponvuthy, as his kick was saved by Mesa. Svay Rieng got their noses in front when Chansereyvong sent Soksela the wrong way only for Sodavid to score with confidence to make it 3-3. Once Harit sent his spot-kick ballooning over the bar, Ouk Sovann stepped up and calmly slotted his penalty into the corner and set off on a celebration run that was ended when his teammates smothered him. Crown had won 4-3 on penalty kicks to collect the Championship, which they had topped after the regulation season as well. Baraing ran from the field to take his place as the captain of the U-15s team, who were already lined-up and ready to enter the pitch, as his teammates continued their jubilant celebrations. That would continue at the presentation ceremony when the U-17s Most Valuable Player was collected by Orn Chanpolin, the Best Goalkeeper went to Keo Soksela, Bouy Dary collected Best Coach, the team received the Fair Play trophy and Chanpolin was a happy chappy as he lifted the Championship trophy aloft to the cheers of his teammates.
PPCFC U-17s v Svay Rieng: Soksela, Chansopheak, Phearath, Sovann, Titchhy (Baraing 76), Chanpolin, Sodavid, Noeut (V Samnang 78), Chhaya (Nuron 89), Piphop (Ponvuthy 62), Senteang. Subs not used: Chanvuthy, T Chhaya, Chanchav, Sakrovy, Rozak. Bookings: Sovann, Titchhy. MOTM: Sovann - cool under pressure and a title-winning penalty. Goals (pens): Chanpolin, Baraing, Sodavid, Sovann.

The PPCFC U-17s celebrate their success immediately after the final whistle

The final awaits

PPCFC U-15s, back row, LtoR: Sovannaroth, Rafat, Chanchav, K Chhaya, S Samnang, Noeut (capt). Front: Saphy, Piphop, Piseth, N David, Rozak - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy U-15s 2 Boeung Ket 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League Semi-Final).
This afternoon kick-off in this Cambodia U-15 Youth League play-off semi-final at the Dept of PE & Sport pitch came immediately after SSCA beat Svay Rieng in the other semi. Boeung Ket adopted a defensive stance for the first half and never threatened the Crown goal, but despite their 40-goal thrashing of Police the week before, the Crown attack was not firing on all cylinders and squandered numerous chances, going in at half-time, 0-0. Mao Piseth headed a great opportunity wide in the third minute and Suon Noeut volleyed over the top from six yards out on ten minutes. Five minutes later and Men Piphop did exactly the same. Kim Chhaya's free kick was punched away twice by the keeper and just before half-time, Noeut took a touch and looked certain to score, but managed to force it wide of the upright. The story was the same after the break. Noeut blasted another chance over the bar after Sath Rozak's effort was kept out and he was then denied a headed goal by a good save from Svay Samnang's cross. Seut Baraing put in Chhaya who rounded the keeper but his shot was blocked on the line before Piseth headed another clear chance into the keeper's hands. Finally on 74 minutes, Crown broke the deadlock, after a rare scare at the other end. A floated Chhaya free-kick to the far post found Baraing all alone and he headed in off the upright for the opening goal, amidst a few relieved sighs from the Crown bench. He then tried a 20-yard effort which the keeper saved but two minutes from time, Crown made the game safe and booked their passage to the final, against SSCA next Sunday. A stunning 40-yard pass from Baraing fell at Noeut's feet as he raced clear and took his time to fire the ball home for his 54th goal of the season. He was today's captain. The game against SSCA at Olympic Stadium next weekend will start at 3.30pm. The U-17s kick-off against Svay Rieng earlier at 1.30pm.
PPCFC U-15s: Rafat, N David (Baraing 56), Sovannaroth (Chanmony 73), Saphy, S Samnang, K Chhaya, Piphop, Chanchav, Rozak, Piseth (Kakada 78), Noeut (capt). Sub not used: S David. MOTM: K Chhaya. Goals: Baraing (74), Noeut (88).

Suon Noeut (red) was captain for the day and scored his 54th goal of the season - click to enlarge

Yes that's right, 40-0

PPCFC U-15s won 40-0. Back row, LtoR: K Chhaya, Rozak, Chanchav, Saphy, Piphop, Sovannaroth (capt). Front Row: Rafat, Noeut, Piseth, S David, Kakada - click to enlarge

Result: PPCFC Academy U-15s 40 National Police 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).
Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15s ran riot in today's final Cambodia U-15 Youth League, putting the National Police team to the sword and running up an almost unheard of scoreline, 40-0. Police began defensively and paid a heavy price as Crown took the game to them, put them under heavy pressure and never stopped passing the ball for the whole ninety minutes. With a bit more composure in front of goal, the fifty mark would've been a more deserved result. By the way, Crown had only eleven fit players for the game. Suon Noeut has become a goalscoring sensation in the U-15s ranks this year and he netted a personal tally of 18 goals in this match but also chipped in with another 9 assists. Now that's what I call a match to remember for this young man. The U-15s team finished top of the league table after 7 games, winning all of them, scoring 128 goals and conceding just 2 goals. They now go onto the play-off semi-final next Sunday.

As it's unlikely to happen again, let's go through each of the goals:
8 mins 56 secs: Kim Chhaya sent over a left-wing cross and Suon Noeut poked in from 6 yards out.
15.49: Pech Sovannaroth's lofted center was headed home by Men Piphop, who rose above everyone.
17.18: San David won the ball and rolled a pass to Noeut, who kept calm, held off a challenge and slotted home.
19.34: Sin Kakada and Chhaya combined on the left flank, with Noeut on hand at the far post to tuck in the latter's cross.
22.26: Noeut scored from the penalty spot after Piphop had been floored in the box.
27.40: Noeut won the ball and passed to Chhaya, who blasted in from 15 yards out.
28.45: Noeut charged down a defender's clearance and calmly slotted the ball home.
29.51: Mao Piseth finished with a confident strike at the far post from Chhaya's cross.
30.46: Chhaya weaved around 5 players but his shot was blocked, only for Piseth to lace the ball into the roof of the net.
33.07: Chhaya beat his marker and from an acute angle, scored with a well-placed shot.
34.10: Noeut turned provider and his short pass was finished off by San David at close range.
37.18: David and Piseth combined to put Noeut through on goal and he made no mistake.
39.14: Noeut raced through again but was blocked by a brave Police keeper, only for Piseth to chip in his hat-trick goal.
41.24: From a Piseth cross, Noeut took a touch and then neatly rolled in to make it 14-0 at half-time, with his seventh goal.

45.42: Within 42 seconds of the restart, Noeut set up Piphop and he fired home.
48.41: Piseth and Sath Rozak had shots blocked only for Noeut to find the target from six yards.
49.26: Noeut slalomed around 4 players and set up Piphop from an angle, which he found the target.
50.59: A short corner routine from which Chhaya drilled in a shot from edge of area.
53.20: David pass to Noeut, who raced around 3 players to slot home.
54.17: Chhaya's surging run and cross was met at the far post by Piphop who tucked in.
55.10: Sin Kakada's cross from the left wing was met by Noeut, one touch and neat finish, for his 10th goal.
58.55: Chhaya slid in Noeut, who calmly finished with ease.
60.05: From Police's kick-off, David won the ball, fed Piphop and he fired home for his fifth goal.
61.40: Noeut square pass to skipper for the day Sovannaroth and his shot took a deflection on its way in.
62.41: Noeut was again the provider, his cross being finished by Piphop.
64.30: Chhaya lofted corner was headed in by an unmarked Piseth at the far post.
67.25: Noeut again laid on the final pass for Piphop to slot home.
68.47: Piphop this time laid on the pass to Noeut, who skirted one defender and scored.
69.20: Possibly the best goal of the game was Piseth's 20-yard left-foot scorcher from Chhaya's cross-field pass.
72.45: Chhaya to Noeut and his cross went in off Piphop's knee. He meant it.
74.16: The flow of goals continued as another short corner saw Chhaya's cross-shot evade everyone and enter the net.
75.54: David set up Noeut and his 22-yard drive sailed into the net. A contender for Noeut's best goal of the game.
80.26: After a brief lull, Kakada set up Chhaya and he rolled his shot under the keeper.
81.59: Piseth won a tackle, passed to Noeut, all alone, to score.
82.45: Noeut won the ball, skirted past 2 players and slotted in.
83.23: From the kick-off, Chhaya won the ball, onto Noeut and another neat finish.
85.09: Piphop nipped in to score from a poor back-pass.
85.52: More pressing and Noeut won the ball from the kick-off and fired in. 
87.01: Chhaya took aim from 20-yards and found the corner of the net.
89.11: David found Noeut and he rounded the keeper to fire home his 18th and the team's 40th just before the final whistle.
PPCFC v Nat Police: Rafat, Kakada, Sovannaroth, Saphy, Chanchav, S David, Rozak, K Chhaya, Piseth, Piphop, Noeut. Bookings: None. MOTM: Noeut - who else could it be? Goals: Noeut 18, Piphop 9, K Chhaya 6, Piseth 5, S David 1, Sovannaroth 1.

Crown coast to sixth straight win

PPCFC v Svay Rieng, back row, LtoR: S Samnang, Sovannaroth, Baraing, Chanchav, K Chhaya, N David (capt). Front Row: Saphy, Piphop, Piseth, Noeut, Kakada

Result: PPCFC Academy U-15s 2 Svay Rieng 0 (Cambodia U-15 Youth League).  
The final scoreline in Crown's favour fails to accurately record the one-sided nature of this Youth league match at the Dept of PE pitch in Tuol Kork this afternoon. Svay Rieng never threatened the Crown goal in the entire ninety minutes. At the other end, Men Piphop opened the scoring on 12 minutes when he let loose with a free-kick from 25 yards that sailed into the top of the net. It couldn't have been more perfect. Suon Noeut was put through by Sin Kakada but was thwarted by the keeper and Mao Piseth's attempted chip was also held by the Svay Rieng stopper. Twice in as many minutes as half-time approached, Crown looked certain to score as first, Kim Chhaya and then Sath Rozak weaved their way into the area around a few defenders but their finishing didn't match their build-up. Chhaya blasted Noeut's center against the cross-bar within the first minute after the restart. More good work by the opposition keeper denied Chhaya, Rozak twice and Noeut but it was only a matter of time before Crown broke Svay Rieng's resolve. With 12 minutes to go, Piseth's right wing cross found Chhaya in space at the far post and he poked the ball home. In the closing stages, Crown pressed hard for more goals but it didn't happen. Piphop sent a header inches wide, Chhaya was denied, for goal-machine Noeut it just wasn't his day as he fired another great chance against the foot of the upright and in time added on, Seut Baraing heade Chhaya's free-kick against the cross bar. This was the U-15s sixth straight victory.
PPCFC v Svay Rieng: S Samnang, N David capt (Ronaldo 71), Sovannaroth, Saphy, Baraing, Chanchav, Chhaya, Piseth (S David 87), Piphop, Kakada (Rozak 31), Noeut. Sub not used: Rafat. Bookings: None: MOTM: Rozak. Goals: Piphop (12), Chhaya (88).

Five in five

PPCFC U-15s. Back row, LtoR: Samnang, Chhaya, Saphy, Chanchav, Sovannaroth, Kakada (capt). Front: Chanmony, Piphop, Piseth, N David, Noeut - click to enlarge

If a team is thrashing all opposition in every game, it comes as a shock when they play below par and that was the case in today's Cambodia U-15 Youth League encounter for Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15s at Tuol Kork. They started their game against SSCA, aka Civil Aviation, at half pace and by half-time were a bit fortunate to be at 1-1. After a tongue lashing by coach Bouy Dary, they came out all guns blazing in the 2nd half, but it was a timely reminder that results aren't guaranteed, you have to earn the right to winning. The best chance of the opening exchanges went to SSCA and Svang Samnang had to be alert to save with his feet, but it was Crown who took a 16th minute lead. Men Piphop's free-kick rebounded off the SSCA keeper and Suon Noeut, developing the goalpoacher's nose for goal, fired his second shot into the roof of the net. Just under ten minutes later and SSCA levelled with a quick breakaway to give the Academy youngsters something to think about. It was only the second goal Crown had conceded in five matches. On the half hour, Noeut met a Kim Chhaya free-kick with a deadly finish, but the linesman's flag ruled it out. The striker had the last chance of the half when he finished tamely from another Chhaya cross.

With their coach's half-time blast ringing in their ears, Crown came out on the front foot and drew ahead within four minutes. Mao Piseth's initial shot was blocked by the keeper but skipper-for-the-day Sin Kakada followed up to score. Noeut and Chhaya, twice, had further opportunities to increase the lead before Noeut got on the end of a Piphop chipped free-kick and diving full length, guided his header into the corner, on 62 minutes. Eleven minutes later and Piphop got his name on the scoresheet with a lovely half-volley from Chhaya's left-wing cross. It took another three minutes for Noeut to complete his hat-trick. Using his speed off the mark, he raced onto Piphop's pass and finished with the confidence of a player who has scored 34 goals in five matches. Not bad for a defender. Two more goals in the last couple of minutes sealed a 7-1 win in Crown's favour. Seut Baraing put Chhaya in space and his first-time lob nestled in the net with a minute to go. Sub San David had the last laugh, two minutes into time added on, when the tiny midfielder arrived at the far post to tap home a neat move involving Piphop and Thy Ronaldo. That made it five wins in five games for the Academy U-15s, with goals scored at 86 and conceding just two.
PPCFC v SSCA: Samnang, Chanmony, Sovannaroth, K Chhaya, Saphy, Chanchav, Piphop, N David (S David 83), Kakada (Baraing 59), Piseth, Noeut (Ronaldo 78). Bookings: None. MOTM: Noeut. Goals: Noeut 3 (16, 62, 76), Kakada (49), Piphop (73), K Chhaya (89), S David (92).  

The PPCFC U-15s line up before the kick-off

Kim Chhaya swings in a free-kick against SSCA

Man of the moment is Suon Noeut with 34 goals in 5 matches

Crown in another rout

PPCFC U-15s Back row, LtoR: Saphy, Sovannaroth, Baraing, Chanchav, Chhaya, Rafat. Front: Chanmony, Kakada, Piphop, Noeut, Piseth (capt) - click to enlarge

Phnom Penh Crown Academy U-15s are on a mission this season it seems. To destroy every team they meet in the new Cambodia U-15 Youth League. So far they have won their matches, 27-0, 8-1, 21-0 and earlier today, on a pitch that was a nightmare for both teams, they ran out 23-0 winners over the plucky Komar Ampor Wan youngsters at the Dept of Sports field in Tuol Kork. Overnight rain left the pitch waterlogged with surface water lying in pools that made passing football a non-event over most of the field. That said, Crown's strength on the ball, their control, passing and superior fitness was the main obstacle that the opposition couldn't handle. On a better surface, goodness knows what the final score would've been. With just thirteen players to choose from, with Lim Pisoth out with a broken arm and others also missing through injury, coach Bouy Dary kept Suon Noeut in attack and he responded with another seven goals, taking his personal tally to 31 goals in 4 games. Sin Kakada opened the sluice-gates on five minutes with a calm finish and Noeut was quick to join him, tapping in a Seut Baraing cross. On 14 minutes, Men Piphop was brought down and promptly got up to plant his 20-yard free-kick into the top corner. Three minutes later and Kim Chhaya found the same top corner from the same distance. It was his fifth effort on goal, though the only one on target. 21 minutes in and Noeut placed Kakada's cross into the bottom corner and a minute later, skipper Mao Piseth cut inside onto Piphop's blocked shot and lifted the ball into the roof of the net. Another minute on and Piphop whacked in Crown's seventh from the edge of the area. Noeut's hat-trick came on 27 minutes, tucking home at the far post from Baraing's center and two minutes later, Piseth followed up to score after Kakada's shot was stopped but not held by the keeper. Chhaya sent a 25-yard effort into the net on 34 minutes as he finally found his range, Piphop made the keeper pay for a poor kick-out with a decisive finish three minutes later, and Noeut slid in his fourth from Chhaya's pass five minutes before the break. Crown led 12-0 at the interval. Ampoor Wan had not managed a shot for the whole first-half.

Svang Samnang came on in goal and Kung Rafat moved to central defence before the second-half got underway. Three minutes in and Piseth had a simple header from a yard for his hat-trick from Piphop's corner. Two minutes later and Noeut fired in after Baraing's corner fell at his feet, and then chested down Piphop's cross to score again. Just after the hour, Kakada was hauled down and stepped up to tuck the penalty inside the post with great confidence despite a pool of water on the penalty spot. Five minutes on and Noeut made the keeper pay for another weak kick out, lashing the ball past him. Baraing ventured upfield soon after and unleashed a 20-yard effort into the roof of the net with devastating effect. On 77 minutes the same player cut inside two defenders and slotted his shot through the eye of a needle inside the near post for his second. Both Chhaya and Kakada had struck the woodwork before another poor clearance fell to Piseth and he confidently despatched the ball for Crown's 20th goal nine minutes from time. Exactly a minute later and Piphop executed a neat finish from Baraing's pass, with Chhaya then rounding off Noeut's run with five minutes to go. Substitute San David made it 23 without reply, or even a shot, when his quick feet took him past three defenders and he poked the ball under the keeper for a great way to finish the rout, a minute form the final whistle. A job well done.
PPCFC U-15s v KAWan: Rafat, Chanmony, Baraing, Sovannaroth (S Samnang 46), Saphy, Chanchav, Chhaya, Kakada (S David 75), Piphop, Piseth, Noeut. Sub not used: Ronaldo. MOTM: Piphop - 4 goals, 4 assists, non-stop running. Goals: Noeut 7 (9, 21, 27, 40, 50, 52, 67), Piphop 4 (14, 23, 37, 82), Piseth 4 (22, 29, 48, 81), Chhaya 3 (27, 34, 85), Kakada 2 (5, 62pen), Baraing 2 (69, 77), S David (89).

Sin Kakada taking a penalty in a puddle - he scored

The plucky Komar Ampor Wan team, thrashed 23-0 by PPCFC U-15s

Another cricket score for Crown

PPCFC U-15s Line-up, back row LtoR: Chhaya, Baraing, Sovannaroth, Chanchav, Samnang. Front Row: Piphop, Piseth, Noeut, Rafat, David, Ronaldo - click to enlarge

It took Kim Chhaya just five minutes to curl a free-kick inside the near post to trigger another avalanche of goals for Phnom Penh Crown's U-15s in their Cambodian U-15 Youth League encounter against Chhlam Samuth, aka the Navy, on Sunday morning. The game was played at the Tonle Bati national training center, some 35kms from Phnom Penh, far from ideal for two city-based teams. Two minutes after the opener and a Navy defender blasted the ball past his own keeper from Men Piphop's low cross. Both Chhaya and skipper Suon Noeut were guilty of missing guilt-edged chances with Chhaya chipping his onto the cross-bar. Piphop stepped up to net the opening goal of a 1st-half hat-trick on 27 minutes from Noeut's pass, and three minutes later rounded the keeper to score again. Chhaya continued the rout with a 1st-time finish from Piphop's pass and Noeut finally found the net after 35 minutes from Chhaya's set-up. Chhaya also laid on Piphop for his hat-trick five minutes before the break and two minutes later claimed his own treble, after Piphop's shot was blocked. Sixty seconds later and Nop David was denied by the Navy keeper but Mao Piseth tucked in the loose ball to give Crown a 9-goal interval lead. The Navy had not even managed a shot in 45 minutes.

Chhaya missed two easy chances before Noeut took advantage of a poor goal-kick to net a tenth goal and the first of eight second-half goals for the captain. Noeut and Seut Baraing struck the woodwork before a Chhaya chip set up Noeut for another. On 64 minutes, Lim Pisoth's pass gave Chhaya his fourth and a minute later, Piseth unlocked the defence again for Noeut to score. With Chhaya's last touch before he was rested, he slotted in Noeut and two minutes later, Noeut was on hand to fire home David's byeline pull back. Piphop grabbed his fourth with a weaving run past three defenders on 72 minutes and Noeut's seventh came as Pisoth's pass saw him skate around the keeper to score. Piphop's unselfish pass gave Noeut an easy finish before Baraing's precise curling free-kick registered on 82 minutes from the edge of the box. Noeut won a tackle and rolled into the corner of the net for Crown's 20th and David claimed the final strike with three minutes to go, after a poke forward by Piphop. There was still time for Phlong Sokraksa to chip onto the cross-bar. An emphatic win for Crown's U-015s, who didn't let up despite the ease with which they penetrated their opponents defensive line. Noeut's 9 goal haul takes his tally to 24 in just three games, though MOTM goes to Kim Chhaya with 4 goals and 5 assists in his 68 minutes on the pitch.
U-15s v Navy; Rafat, Ronaldo (Chanmony 64), Sovannaroth, Samnang, Baraing, Chanchav (Pisoth 55), Piphop, N David, Piseth (Kakada 86), Chhaya (Sokraksa 68), Noeut. Subs not used: Saphy. MOTM: Chhaya - a glut of goals and assists. Goals: Noeut 9 (35, 51, 61, 65, 67, 69, 74, 76, 85), Chhaya 4 (5, 33, 42, 64), Piphop 4 (27, 30, 40, 72), Piseth (43), Baraing (83), N David (87), Own Goal (7). 

Kim Chhaya scores the opening goal with a curling free-kick

MOTM Kim Chhaya (13) pulls the ball back from the byeline

Goalkeeper Kong Rafat and skipper Suon Noeut (2) before the kick-off

Two of the goalscorers, Mao Piseth (41) and Nop David (34)

Teams post 8-1 scorelines

PPCFC U-15s line-up, back row LtoR: Chhaya, Sovannaroth, Noeut, Chanchav, Samnang, Baraing. Front Row: Rozak, Saphy, Piseth, Piphop, Kakada

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy teams that represent the club in the new Cambodia Youth Leagues at U-15 and U-17 have been in action in the last few days. This morning, the Crown U-15s played their second match in the U-15 Youth League, beating Boeung Ket 8-1 at the NIPES pitch in Tuol Kork. After their 27-0 win over Komar Ang Snuol in their opening league match, this game wasn't so one-sided but was still a comfortable victory with Suon Noeut scoring 5 goals (he scored 10 goals in the last game) and one each for Kim Chhaya, Sath Rozak and late substitute Tong Chanmony.  On Sunday, the U-17s won their second U-17 Youth League match, beating new boys Western University 8-1 at the same ground. In Sodavid netted a first-half hat-trick which included a 25-yard top corner screamer that was easily goal of the game. Skipper Orn Chanpolin, Yeu Muslim and Mat Nuron scored more goals in the first-half but with most of the pitch waterlogged after the break, Mat Sakrovy and Nuron rounded off the scoring as both sides struggled to keep their feet.
PPCFC U-15s v Boeung Ket: Samnang, K Chhaya, Sovannaroth (Ronaldo 51), Baraing, Saphy, Chanchav (Pisoth 73), Rozak (N David 42), Piphop, Piseth (S David 64), Kakada (Chanmony 83), Noeut. Subs not used: Rafat, Sokraksa. Goals: Noeut 5 (1, 10, 17, 29, 53), Rozak (35), K Chhaya (56), Chanmony (89).  
PPCFC U-17s v Western: Soksela, Chansopheak, Phearath, Sovann, Baraing (Titchhy 45), Chanpolin, Sodavid (Rozak 83), Sakrovy (T Chhaya 75), Ponvuthy (Noeut 74), Nuron, Muslim (Piphop 75). Subs: Chanvuthy, Chanchav. Goals: Sodavid (21, 38, 45), Nuron (46, 92), Chanpolin (18), Muslim (36), Sakrovy (51).

PPCFC U-17s line-up, Back Row LtoR: Sodavid, Sakrovy, Soksela, Baraing, Chanpolin, Sovann. Front Row: Muslim, Chansopheak, Nuron, Phearath, Ponvuthy - click to enlarge

U-15 fixtures

The fixtures for Phnom Penh Crown's U-15s in the new Cambodia U-15 Youth League are below. All matches will be played at the Cheng Meng football center on the outskirts of the capital. There are 8 teams in the league and they only meet each other once before the Top 4 enter the play-offs on 22 and 29 Dec. PPCFC U-15 Fixtures:
29 Sep v Komar Ang Snuol - Won 27-0.
20 Oct v Boeung Ket - 8am
27 Oct v Navy - 8am
24 Nov v Komar Ampor Wan - 8am
1 Dec v SSCA - 2pm
8 Dec v Svay Rieng - 4pm
15 Dec v National Police - 4pm

27 without reply

Back Row LtoR: Sovannaroth, Rozak, Baraing, Ronaldo, K Chhaya, S Samnang. FrontRow: Saphy, Piseth, Kakada, Piphop, Noeut.

The Phnom Penh Crown U-15s started their matches in the new Cambodia U-15 Youth League with a thoroughly resounding 27-0 victory over Komar Ang Snuol at the Cheng Meng football center this afternoon. The match was played in pouring rain and the two teams did well on a surface that was waterlogged before the game began. Obviously with that scoreline, the game was totally one-sided and Ang Snuol didn't manage a shot for the entire 90 minutes. Crown on the other hand, scored 27 but could've easily scored another twenty or so. Suon Noeut, normally a full-back, was pushed up front for this game and responded with 10 goals. When he gets his eye in, he'll do even better.

Now for a run through of the goals from the match. On 6 minutes Sath Rozak took a pass from Mao Piseth and fired into the corner of the net. A minute later, Piseth's high cross was fumbled by the keeper and Sin Kakada tucked in the loose ball. On 14 mins another Piseth pass found Suon Noeut and he opened his account with a simple finish. Two minutes later and Kakada stroked home another Piseth low cross. A minute on and Noeut ran through unopposed to finish calmly. After 19 minutes, Noeut picked the top corner with a sweet finish from Men Piphop's pass for his hat-trick. Four minutes later Kakada set up Piphop and he let rip from twenty yards out. 26 minutes in and Crown struck number eight through Noeut, who capitalised on a bad clearance from the keeper. Two minutes later, a Kim Chhaya shot fell kindly to Noeut who finished with a one-two off the post. within a minute another poor kick-out was punished again by Noeut for his double hat-trick. The 1st half scoring was wrapped up by Chhaya, on 34 minutes, who took Piseth's pass and smacked home his shot from the edge of the box.

The 2nd half continued in the same one-sided vein though the Ang Snuol keeper pulled off a series of excellent saves throughout the game. Five minutes in and a poor kick out by the keeper and Kakada made no mistake for his third. Twelves minutes played and Seut Baraing got the goal he was looking for, with a rasping drive from Piseth's pull back. Mao Piseth was having the assists match of all time to this point. Two minutes later and Kakada set up Piphop and his curling shot found the net. Within a minute Rozak easily finished off another poor clearance. Goals were raining in and Noeut set up Piphop for another, a minute later, before Crown made a double substitution. On 68 mins a Baraing shot was blocked and Noeut fired in the loose ball. A minute later and Piseth's cross was put past his own keeper by a hapless defender. Two minutes more and Piphop cashed in on a defensive error. 72 minutes and Noeut ran past the backline to score with ease. Two minutes later and Chhaya scored with a glorious lob from 25 yards out. On 76 minutes sub Phlong Sokraksa weaved his way around four players and the keeper to score a fine individual goal. A minute later, Piphop won a tackle and netted with ease. Piseth finally got the goal his set-up play deserved, when he beat two players and walloped the ball home, with ten minutes to go. On 83 mins Noeut rolled in after another poor clearance with Crown's 25th goal. With 2 mins remaining, Piphop ran past three players to fire home, and Noeut ended the agony for Ang Snuol in the final seconds, when he tapped home after San David's mazy run and shot had hit the foot of the post. All in all, 27 goals without reply. When the official score came back as 26, it was clear the FFC official couldn't keep count. Obviously not enough lead in his pencil. Believe me, it was 27.
U-15s line-up: S Samnang, Ronaldo (N David 46), Sovannaroth (Pisoth 62), Baraing, Saphy, Chhaya, Rozak (S David 62), Piphop, Piseth (Chanmony 81), Kakada (Sokraksa 70), Noeut. Subs not used: Rafat. Booking: Rozak.

Subs LtoR: S David, N David, Chanmony, Pisoth, Sokraksa, Rafat

The PPCFC U-15s celebrate their 27-0 success