Muslim corker fails to stem reverse

PPCFC Academy v PVF. Back Row LtoR: Chanpolin, Sodavid, Baraing, Senteang, Mesa, Sovann (capt). Front Row: Noeut, Muslim, Piphop, K Chhaya, Ponvuthy - click to enlarge.

The regular season came to an end for the Phnom Penh Crown Academy boys today, though they still have the small matter of the AFF U-16 Youth Championships in Myanmar in a few weeks time. Their final game, at home against one of the favourites, the PVF Academy from Ho Chi Minh in Vietnam, was always going to be a tough end to their FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy exploits, with PVF needing the win to aid their qualifying efforts. Sam Schweingruber took charge of the team, with regular coach Bouy Dary feeling the effects of a bad cold and gave the youngsters two main goals for the match, have fun and stay disciplined. And the fun element certainly rang true when Yeu Muslim gave the team a 16th minute lead with a glorious goal. The look on the face of the goalscorer and his teammates was pure joy. Up til that point, PVF's Pham Tan Tai had sent two hopeful punts over the cross-bar at the other end but it was Muslim who gave the home side the head start they were looking for. Seut Baraing's long ball sailed over the top of the PVF backline and as Chhuot Senteang chased it, the opposing keeper Phan Van Bieu Tran came to the edge of his box to head it away. Muslim, 30 yards from goal, sent an instep volley back over his head for a beautifully-finished opening goal. Sem Mesa in the Crown goal caught another Tan Tai effort as PVF looked to bounce back but found Baraing and skipper Ouk Sovann in a dominant mood in the home defence. A poor challenge from PVF's Pham The Try sent Senteang off the pitch for treatment and the Vietnam defender was booked soon after for a similar clumsy challenge on Men Piphop. Pham Trong Hoa worked an opening for himself in the box but sent his dipping shot wide of the far post, whilst Tran Van Hoa volleyed a half-chance awry and Kim Chhaya made a last-ditch block to deny Trong Hoa as the half-time whistle came with Crown leading 1-nil.

Mesa was well-placed to catch Nguyen Vu Tin's header at the start of the second-half and Muslim's lack of inches meant that Piphop's quick break and cross went wide at the other end. Two minutes before the hour mark and PVF drew level. Vu Tin and Ho Minh Di played a neat one-two which got behind Suon Noeut and Minh Di crashed his effort in off the underside of the cross-bar from twelve yards out. PVF were back in the game. Soon after Le Van Diep headed well wide at the far post but it wasn't long until PVF imposed themselves and grabbed what turned out to be the match winning goal. On 68 minutes Lam Thuan's cross from the right found Vu Tin in space at the edge of the penalty area and his well-directed header went in off the foot of the upright, with Mesa's despairing dive in vain. A flurry of substitutions for both sides didn't help the flow of the game and Mesa had to be alert to grab a drive from Vu Tin. As the minutes ticked away, Baraing tried his luck from at least forty yards out and in time added on, shouts for a penalty as Vat Samnang went down under the keeper's challenge fell on deaf ears by the presence of a linesman's flag for offside. PVF, defensively strong and good on the ball, took the three points and have one game to go against Frenz Malaysia to confirm their place in the semi-finals of the competition. For Crown, they finished bottom of the six-team Group A with two points from their ten matches.

Schweingruber's reaction at the final whistle. "It was good to be a goal up but we played a little too defensively - its a product of us playing all these games against strong opposition and trying to limit the damage. I liked that we were well disciplined and more switched on than in recent games. In the 1st half PVF weren’t that dangerous, just a couple of shots from distance. In the 2nd half, they scored a pretty nice goal but we should’ve dealt with the cross better for the 2nd goal." Looking ahead to the upcoming AFF U-16 Youth Championships in Myanmar, for which Schweingruber will be in charge of the Cambodia U-16 national team and will include many of the PPCFC Academy in his squad, he commented. "We've got to work very hard over the next 3 weeks before we go to Myanmar. Our dream is to qualify out of the group of five countries. Getting positive results will obviously not be easy. But as a team we have shown that over 90 minutes we can play disciplined football. Vietnam will play a similar style to what we saw today and it looks to me that we should have a chance against Brunei, Vietnam and Myanmar. If Australia bring their strongest team, we will find ourselves up against world-class opposition."
PPCFC Academy line-up: Mesa, Noeut, K Chhaya (Phearath 72), Baraing, Sovann, Chanpolin, Sodavid, Piphop (Sakrovy 70), Ponvuthy (Dara 77), Muslim (Nuron 66), Senteang (V Samnang 83). Subs not used: S Samnang, Chansopheak, Rozak, Chanchav. Bookings: None. MOTM: Baraing.

The winning PVF line-up from Vietnam

Singapore pick Crown's pocket

Back Row LtoR: Chanpolin, S Samnang, Baraing, Senteang, Sovann, Titchhy. Front Row: Sodavid, Rozak, Noeut, K Chhaya, Piphop - click to enlarge.

In a game the Phnom Penh Crown Academy were looking to win, the visiting NFA Singapore, the country's national academy U-15 team, bided their time before pickpocketing the three points on offer in this FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy match, played at the Olympic Stadium earlier today. Both teams have found the step-up into the Asean-wide competition a tough ask this season and neither side had registered a win in eight games. For most of the opening forty-five minutes, Crown held onto the ball, controlling possession but failing to open up their opponents and create enough telling opportunities to trouble the scoreboard. Their normal flowing style, that has excited their fans in previous matches, was missing and the build-up was too predictable and laboured. In the fifth minute a foul on Orn Chanpolin, who attempted to surge through the Singapore backline on a number of occasions, saw Seut Baraing fire the free-kick into the defensive wall. Chanpolin burst through again midway through the half but his shot was blocked and moments later, sent a rasping 25-yard drive inches over the cross-bar. Seven minutes before the break, Singapore finally produced their first attempt on goal, as the ball carried safely into the arms of Svang Samnang. On the stroke of half-time, Crown lost Sraing Titchhy with a leg injury.

With Crown struggling to find their normal rhythm, and looking jaded after a series of away matches and extensive travelling, Singapore stunned their hosts with a goal from their first serious effort of the game. Ten minutes after the break, Zulquarnaen Suzliman's snap-shot was palmed aside by Samnang, only for Rusyaidi Salime to follow-up and poke the ball over the goal-line. Singapore were elated, Crown were in shock. It took another fifteen minutes for Crown to find their feet and were denied an equaliser when Chhuot Senteang connected with Sath Rozak's right-wing cross only for Singapore keeper Adib Azahari to get his body in the way. Five minutes later, and with Crown stepping up the urgency in their play, In Sodavid slotted a pass through to Rozak who toe-poked a shot goalwards, which was only partially saved by Azahari before Salime cleared the danger from the goal-line. Crown's remaining efforts were rebuffed as frustration grew and fresh faces introduced, but to no avail. Singapore held out for their first victory in the competition and Crown were left to rue the one that got away.

The Academy head coach Bouy Dary gave his views at the final whistle. "In the first half we kept hold of the ball well but didn't create enough chances. We don't normally dominate possession that much in this competition and today, we struggled to make it count. I changed a few players in the second half and we got better, played faster and created some opportunities, especially in the final twenty minutes. We have to improve our play in the final third, work harder on creating goalscoring opportunities, as well as tighten up on our defending. Physically we are okay but playing these matches, home and away, takes a toll mentally on the boys. But its great experience for them and the final game on Saturday against Vietnam, will be even harder. They are bigger and stronger and we'll have to work a lot harder and smarter than we did today."
PPCFC Academy v Singapore: S Samnang, Noeut, K Chhaya, Baraing, Sovann, Chanpolin (Sakrovy 69), Sodavid, Rozak (Chansopheak 80), Piphop (Muslim 87), Titchhy (Ponvuthy 45), Senteang. Subs not used: Mesa, Phearath, Chanchav, V Samnang, Nuron. Bookings: None. MOTM: Baraing.

NFA Singapore went home happy with a 1-0 victory, their 1st in the competition

Reverse on the road

PPCFC v Frenz: Back Row LtoR: Sovann, Senteang, Baraing, S Samnang, Chanpolin, K Chhaya. Front Row: Nuron, Noeut, Rozak, Sodavid, Ponvuthy.

For their final away game of the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy experience, the Phnom Penh Crown Academy boys travelled to Pahang in Malaysia to meet the joint organisers, Frenz Malaysia A. The match was played at 8.45pm Cambodian-time this evening and screened live on tv both in Malaysia and here in Cambodia. Coach Bouy Dary made a few changes to his line-up with Suon Noeut, Kim Chhaya and Sath Rozak coming in for their first starts in the competition. It was clear from the beginning that Frenz would use the high ball to put Crown under pressure and so it proved, though it was Orn Chanpolin who headed wide early on from Seut Baraing's free-kick. Pov Ponvuthy was well-placed to clear Naaim Razak's header off the goal-line from a corner and a few minutes later the same player headed against the top of the upright as Frenz piled on the pressure. Crown's Chhuot Senteang could've done better on 24 minutes when he stabbed Chanpolin's pass wide of the mark but two minutes later, the home side grabbed the lead. Abdul Ismawi's cross from the right was met by the steaming run and head of Hafi Zuki, which gave Svang Samnang no chance in the Crown goal. The keeper came out to snuff out danger at the foot of  Zuki soon after and then  Akhmar Haiqal took the ball around the prone stopper, only to foul Noeut wiuth the goal at his mercy.

Two off the ball incidents left Crown's Senteang and Rozak lying on the ground but the match officials saw nothing. Television replays showed a punch to the back of Rozak's head out of the referee's view. Frenz were determined to win at all costs. Samnang saved low from Ismawi's drive but was beaten again on 38 minutes. Haziq Hossain's through ball saw Haiqal fend off Ouk Sovann's attentions and slip the ball past Samnang for their 2nd goal. As the first-half came to a close, Mat Nuron's cross gave Ponvuthy a sight of goal but his shot was blocked by a combination of keeper Adam Zaini and a defender. With the last kick of the half, Frenz's Razak missed from a yard out as his team went in two goals up at the break. Ten minutes after the re-start and Frenz celebrated their third goal of the night. The Crown defence were caught ball-watching as Ismawi's long ball arrowed through the middle and Haiqal raced onto it and slipped it wide of Samnang. Effectively it was game over, though a minute later Nuron fed Senteang but his first-time effort went wide. Much of the second half was even-steven, with numerous substitutions and cautions by the Thai referee interrupting the flow of the game. As the match fizzled out both Baraing and Sovann sent long range free-kicks over the cross-bar while Akmal Aziz struck the post for Frenz, who moved into third place with their victory.

Crown coach Bouy Dary spoke of the plus points these matches bring for his young team. "There have been a lot of benefits playing in this competition. We haven't been involved in such an international tournament before and our boys have improved a lot from the first game, they are fitter and have a better understanding. These boys will play for the Cambodia national U-16 team, so these matches give us greater experience and we now know where we are in comparison to other countries. This is important to us." PPCFC Academy line-up v Frenz: S Samnang, Noeut, K Chhaya, Baraing, Sovann, Chanpolin (Muslim), Sodavid, Rozak (Piphop), Ponvuthy (Sakrovy), Nuron (Titchhy), Senteang (V Samnang). Subs not used: Mesa, Chansopheak, Phearath, Chanchav. Bookings: Noeut, Chanpolin, Titchhy. MOTM: S Samnang. In other ACT matches tonight, Thailand's Chonburi went top with a 4-1 win over Singapore and Vietnam's PVF went 2nd beating Timor-Leste 7-1. Crown have 2 more matches to play in the competition, both at home. They entertain NFA Singapore on Tuesday (23 July) at 4pm and Vietnam PVF on Saturday (27 July), also at 4pm, with both games at the Olympic Stadium.

Academy heads held high

PPCFC Academy v Singapore. Back row LtoR: Chanpolin, Senteang, Baraing, K Chhaya, S Samnang, Sovann (capt). Front Row: Ponvuthy, Nuron, Chansopheak, Piphop, Sodavid.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy have a busy week, having just returned from a successful trip to Singapore, they play a domestic Cup Final on Wednesday morning before heading overseas again, this time to Malaysia, where they play again on Saturday 20 July. The Academy squad returned home today following their excellent 0-0 draw against NFA Singapore at the Yishun Stadium in Singapore on Saturday evening. According to coach Bouy Dary with a little more luck they could’ve returned with all three points from their FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy encounter. They defended well with Svang Samnang in goal looking assured and if Chhuot Senteang had converted a one-on-one with the keeper the result might've been different. The result gave the PPCFC youngsters their second Group A point and will give them confidence ahead of their final away game in the competition, at the home of the joint organizers, Frenz Malaysia A, on Saturday (20 July). After that they have two home matches against Singapore (23 July) and Vietnam’s PVF (27 July) to complete their first season in this Asean-wide competition. The PPCFC Academy line-up v NFA Singapore: S Samnang, Chansopheak (Noeut), K Chhaya, Baraing, Sovann, Chanpolin (Rozak), Sodavid, Piphop (Sakrovy), Nuron, Ponvuthy (Muslim), Senteang. Subs not used: Mesa, T Chhaya, V Samnang, Dara.
On Wednesday 17 July, the PPCFC Academy 2 team will meet Svay Rieng in the Cambodia Football Development League U-16 Championship Final at RSN Stadium, with a 9am kick-off. The former Preah Khan Reach teams have already collected the U-12 and U-14 CFDL titles and the U-16s will be keen to make it a hat-trick. The PPCFC Academy 2 team, who put out their Academy 1 teammates in the semi-final, courtesy of a last-minute Chhuot Senteang goal, will be determined to stop them. It should be a cracking match with games against their rivals from Svay Rieng always providing good football and excitement.

Game-changing decision

PPCFC Academy. Back Row LtoR: Chanpolin, Titchhy, Baraing, Senteang, S Samnang, Sovann (capt). Front Row: Chansopheak, Nuron, Piphop, Sodavid, Ponvuthy.

With a 4-1 defeat in Timor still fresh in the memory, albeit in a match which the Phnom Penh Crown Academy gave as good as they got for an hour, there was optimism in the camp that an upset might be on the cards with the Timor-Leste U-15 national team making the trip to Phnom Penh. With the Olympic Stadium unavailable, the Asean U-15 Champions Trophy match was played at the Old Stadium and in front of an expectant crowd, the first-half went according to plan for the home team. The difference in size was obvious but there was little to choose between the teams on a tactical level as both sides came close on a few occasions. Seut Baraing got in a decisive block early on and Svang Samnang showed good hands to deal with a drive from Gaudencio Monteiro. In Sodavid tried his luck from 25 yards with Crown's first attempt, but it bounced into the keeper's hands. On the half-hour, Men Piphop sent Chhuot Senteang skating clear and in a high-foot challenge with the keeper, Nuno Belo, the ball rolled harmlessly wide. Two minutes later another one-two with Pov Ponvuthy sent Senteang racing clear again, only for his attempted lob from 35 yards out to stick in the gloves of Belo. A dangerous free-kick from Sebastiao Dos Santos gave Samnang a few jitters as he pushed it away amongst a bevy of players. At the other end, Senteang slipped his marker but his cross was inches from the boot of Piphop and the danger averted. On 37 minutes, Samnang's weak punch saw Feliciano Goncalves shot blocked by a posse of defenders before Ricardo Mendonca blasted a 20-yard effort that Samnang finger-tipped onto the cross-bar. As play switched from end to end, Sodavid's through ball found Ponvuthy on the edge of the box, but his blast went too high. It was all-square at the break.

With just 40 seconds on the clock after the re-start, referee Suresh from Malaysia left his lasting mark on the match. The official judged a tackle by Crown's central defender Sraing Titchhy, on the edge of his own box, as a bookable offence and showed the youngster a second yellow, followed by a red card. Titchhy had been deservedly booked in the first-half for a pull-back. Titchhy and the Crown bench were mortified, with Titchhy claiming he'd played the ball. The referee disagreed and the home team were down to ten men. From the resulting free-kick, Mendonca unleashed a ferocious drive that gave Samnang no chance and Timor were ahead. It was a double devastating blow. With Senteang pulled back as a makeshift defender, Crown tried to weather the storm but Timor smelled blood and piled on the pressure. Ten minutes into the half and they went two goals to the good. A poor clearance landed at the feet of Pelagio Da Costa and his 20-yard screamer hit the back of the net before Samnang could move. Two goals in ten disastrous minutes for the home side.

Just past the hour mark and referee Suresh decided to even up the numbers. Timor keeper Belo came charging out of his area to challenge a high ball from Sodavid that had sent Senteang scurrying forward, and the keeper's momentum and hand, apparently, touched the ball. Referee Suresh was adamant and a straight red card was flashed at Belo. The defensive wall stood firm to thwart Baraing's powerfully struck free-kick. Crown coach Bouy Dary made three substitutions to add more urgency and two of the new faces, Mat Sakrovy and Suon Noeut combined to send the latter into the box, with stand-in keeper Ricardo Da Cruz getting down low at the post to deny the effort on 73 minutes. Kim Chhaya whipped over a left-foot cross to the far post which Senteang failed to connect to and with their next attack, Timor hammered in the final nail of Crown's coffin. With ten minutes of the match remaining, Ouk Sovann and Baraing failed to cut out a long ball and Mendonca was left to run on and lob the ball over the stranded Samnang for Timor's third goal. With Crown winded, Samnang was forced to make telling saves from Dos Santos and Ervino Soares late on as Timor-Leste celebrated their success. Crown coach Dary identified the reasons for the defeat. "We played okay in the 1st half. But a red card at the start of the 2nd and the game changed. We made too many mistakes and our communication was not good either. We tried to play too much when a simple pass was the right thing to do. We tried to change the game with some subs when they lost their keeper but it didn't work. We must improve our game and cut out these individual mistakes for the next matches."
PPCFC Academy line-up: Samnang, Chansopheak, Baraing, Sovann, Titchhy, Sodavid, Piphop (Sakrovy 71), Chanpolin (Rozak 80), Ponvuthy (Noeut 69), Nuron (K Chhaya 54), Senteang. Subs not used: Chanvuthy, Muslim, Chanchav, V Samnang, T Chhaya. Bookings: Titchhy (+ red card). MOTM: Samnang.

Divided loyalties

The PPCFC Academy in Timor with their police escort riders

Torn in two is how Phnom Penh Crown fans will feel this coming Saturday. Their C-League heroes, galloping towards the championship play-offs, have their final league match of the regular domestic season. But at the same time, the Crown Academy, loved universally for their enterprising style of play and carrying the hopes of Khmer football in the future, will also be in action, across town at a different venue. Unable to swap with other C-League matches, the senior team will face Kirivong at 4pm at Olympic Stadium, aiming to continue their end of season flourish, as well as seeking to break the C-League record for conceding the least number of goals in a season. They currently stand at a miserly13 goals, the record, held by Phnom Penh Empire in 2008, is fifteen. At the Old/Army Stadium, the Academy will entertain the Timor-Leste U-15s in another exciting Asean U-15 Champions Trophy tie, which will start at 3.45pm. It was only last week that Crown lost in Timor 4-1, so revenge is on everyone's mind this weekend. With less riding on the game at Olympic, as the seniors have already qualified for the play-off semi-finals, many PPCFC fans have already decided to pledge their support for the Academy youngsters, whilst others are torn between the two. It's an agonizing decision for many to make.

Chonburi too strong

Back Row LtoR: Chanpolin, Senteang, Baraing, Titchhy, S Samnang, Sovann. Front Row: Ponvuthy, Nuron, Piphop, Chansopheak, Sodavid. Picture courtesy of Chonburi FC.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy went down 3-0 to Chonburi FC in Thailand, the same team who beat them 4-1 in Phnom Penh last weekend, in the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy, this evening. Its been a tough week for the Academy having lost to Chonburi last Saturday, they flew to East Timor via Bali on Sunday, lost 4-1 in Timor on Tuesday and then flew to Thailand on Thursday, in the lead up to this match. A tough schedule for anyone, let alone an U-15 team. Undaunted, coach Bouy Dary and his team were looking forward to getting revenge on Chonburi, one of the competition's outstanding favourites. He kept faith with the team that lost against Timor-Leste except bringing in keeper Svang Samnang in place of Sem Mesa. Chonburi took the lead on 26 minutes when Kritthanaphong held off two challenges and blasted the ball past Samnang. Crown held out and repelled the home team until the 76th minute when Sittichok got his head to a long ball forward and it sailed over Samnang's head into the corner. Two minutes later another long ball undid the defence, Kritthanaphong raced clear and rounded Samnang before rolling the ball into the net. A Seut Baraing free-kick was finger-tipped around the post by Chakhon in the home goal but the match was already won and PPCFC Academy will return to Phnom Penh with no points from their visits to Timor-Leste and Thailand. They play host to Timor next Saturday, KO 4pm at Army Stadium.
PPCFC line-up: S Samnang, Chansopheak, Baraing, Sovann, Titchhy (K Chhaya 75), Sodavid (Rozak 55), Chanpolin, Piphop (Sakrovy 45), Ponvuthy (Dara 88), Nuron (V Samnang 88), Senteang. Subs not used: Mesa, Phearath, T Chhaya, Noeut, Chanchav. Bookings: None.

Mat Nuron is not giving up the ball that easily. Picture courtesy of Chonburi FC

Academy blues

PPCFC Academy. Back Rown LtoR: Sovann (capt), Titchhy, Baraing, Senteang, Chanpolin, Mesa. Front Row: Ponvuthy, Nuron, Piphop, Chansopheak, Sodavid.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy made the two-day trek to Timor-Leste just a few hours after suffering a 4-1 home defeat to Chonburi and took on the mantle as the first Cambodian sports team to visit the country, also known as East Timor. It was Crown's fourth FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy tie with one draw and two defeats to their name so far. They flew in via Singapore, a night in Bali and arrived in Dili, the Timorese capital, lunchtime Monday, with the match scheduled for mid-afternoon Tuesday. Late Monday afternoon, the Academy shook off their travel weariness with a warm-up at the national training center, sharing a synthetic surface with the Timor-Leste U-15 and U-23 teams. A crowd of 3,200, admitted free but smaller than expected, welcomed the two teams, with a highly-visible security presence around the stadium.

It took just nine seconds for Timor to liven up the the spectators as Sraing Titchhy's backheader was touched on by Ricardo Mendonca, only for Sem Mesa to grab the ball and avert the danger. Timor's Juliao Ximenes gave Mesa some catching practice a few minutes later, while Pov Ponvuthy fired over the cross-bar from distance. Timor made their first of five substitutions after just twelve minutes and seconds later a Seut Baraing free-kick caught the home defence all at sea, but Mat Nuron, in acres of space, headed wide of the target. With a section of the crowd chanting for the visiting team, it was the home side who threatened with Feliciano Goncalves mistiming his header before Ximenes latched onto a long ball, outpaced the Crown back-line and rounded Mesa, only to lob his shot over the gaping goal. It was a let-off for the visitors, who looked set to take advantage on 31 minutes. Pov Ponvuthy's footwork on the right wing had been a feature of the opening exchanges and it was a poorly timed tackle and caution for Amilcar Belo, caught out by Ponvuthy's quick feet, that gave a Crown a penalty. Skipper Ouk Sovann took the spot-kick but keeper Ricardo Da Cruz, diving to his right, saved at the foot of the post and also blocked Sovann's follow-up attempt.

However the disappointment was quickly forgotten and on 37 minutes, Crown took the lead with a passing move that oozed quality. Ken Chansopheak started it, Ponvuthy's drag-back and pass to Chhuot Senteang reached the box and his inside pass was met by Men Piphop, who swept the ball over the keeper and into the net. It quite literally had the crowd on their feet. As half-time approached, In Sodavid tested Da Cruz in the Timor goal with a 35-yarder that the keeper grabbed at the second attempt. The home side, forced back by Crown's positive approach, had a five minute spell before the whistle where Sem Mesa blocked a delayed shot by Gelvanco Marcal and then got a whack on the head after a good run and cross by Domingos Araujo. In the fourth minute of time added on, Crown were caught cold by a darting run on the right by Goncalves and his cross to the far post was met by the head of Mendonca for the equaliser. A cruel blow to PPCFC's hopes and a kick in the teeth for their first-half efforts.

Timor, buoyed by their late leveller, started the 2nd half like a train.Chansopheak blocked a Marcal header with less than a minute in but two minutes later and the home fans were in seventh heaven. Sem Mesa misjudged a long ball over his back-four and stayed on his line, as Gaudencio Monteiro raced clear of everyone and slotted inside the keeper's near post. In quick succession, Sodavid (hamstring) and Mesa (groin) were replaced by Crown coach Bouy Dary but not before Titchhy made a timely saving tackle on Mendonca. With Svang Samnang replacing Mesa, he was only on the pitch for 42 seconds before he conceded a third goal. Mendonca, out wide on the left, swung over a high cross and as Samnang back-pedaled, he could only manage to tip the ball onto the upright and it rolled over the goal-line. From a position of strength, Crown's hopes were in tatters. Chansopheak was on hand to clear an Araujo header off the line moments before Timor extended their lead even further on 66 minutes. Another long ball over the top stretched the Crown backline to breaking point, with Marcal running clear to power a shot past Samnang. Timor went down to nine players for a few minutes as cramp took hold and Amindo Gusmao's corner curled in and struck the cross-bar. With Timor in the driving seat, Crown found their second wind and began to make inroads into the home team's defenses. Piphop tried his luck from the edge of the box without success, as did Sovann, whose indirect free-kick was lashed into the wall after Da Cruz was pulled up for holding the ball too long. It was all Crown for the final fifteen minutes, as Mat Nuron put in Senteang but Da Cruz came out to smother his attempted flick and Ponvuthy fired a 20-yard drive into the keeper's arms. Ponvuthy and Sovann combined to set up Theang Chhaya, but the tiny midfielder shot straight at Da Cruz when it seemed easier to score. Senteang sent a free-kick wide of the mark, Kim Chhaya's powerful drive was punched clear by Da Cruz and in time added on, Piphop's long range effort was collected by Da Cruz, as he and his teammates celebrated the final whistle, and their first victory.

Academy coach Bouy Dary offered up this assessment of his team's performance in defeat. "For the first-half we played great but for the last five minutes before the break they had a lot of the ball and we couldn't clear it, we were nervous. We have to learn where and when not to play when defending. Two players stood out in the 1st half, Ponvuthy and Senteang, and our goal was wonderful, excellent combination play, a great goal. But a lack of experience at the start of the 2nd half cost us. We came back again later on but we couldn't score. Honestly, we were the better side but our recovery from playing a few days ago wasn't good as we were travelling non-stop. Timor were fresh, they didn't play and of course they were at home and motivated to do their best." The Academy now head for Thailand, with a stopover in Bali and Bangkok, as they meet Chonburi FC on Saturday in their third Asean U-15 match in a week.
PPCFC line-up: Mesa (S Samnang 55), Chansopheak (K Chhaya 69), Baraing, Sovann, Titchhy, Chanpolin (Sakrovy 76), Sodavid (Rozak 50), Piphop, Ponvuthy, Nuron (T Chhaya 86), Senteang. Subs not used: Chanchav, V Samnang, Dara. Bookings: None. MOTM: Ponvuthy.

The Timor-Leste U-15 starting line-up

A big crowd came to watch the PPCFC Academy in Dili

Captain Ouk Sovann (4) introduces his teammates to the Secretary of State

Nervy Crown go under

PPCFC Academy. Back Row LtoR: Chanpolin, Titchhy, Sodavid, Baraing, Mesa, Sovann. Front Row: Muslim, Nuron, Samnang, Piphop, Chansopheak.

Phnom Penh Crown Academy coach Bouy Dary had this to say after watching his team lose 4-1 at home to visiting Chonburi FC from Thailand in the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy earlier today. "We were nervous today and made too many mistakes, especially in midfield. When we did get a chance we were too slow to react. In the 2nd half we put up a really good fight, we played good football but got punished for trying to play too much. And we didn't take our chances when they came along." For the Crown Academy it was their second defeat in three matches against one of the favourites to lift the trophy. They started slowly and never really got into their usual gear in the first-half of today's encounter at the Olympic Stadium, in front of a large expectant home crowd. Chonburi were on the front foot early on and Sem Mesa, in the Crown goal, had to push a high cross from Samart over his own bar and then lost a challenge with Krittanaphong, but the striker lobbed the ball over the top of an open goal. Losing possession and getting caught on the break, Crown struggled to hold the visitors as the first-half was pretty much one-way traffic, with Sittichok mis-kicking at the far post and Krittanaphone finding Mesa in the right place to tip his shot over the bar. Kittitach volleyed wide and Mesa was again in the way to deny Krittanaphong at the near post.  Crown's resistance finally gave way three minutes before the interval when Somchai took on and beat Ken Chansopheak and his cross was touched over the line by Samart. It was no more than Chonburi deserved.

In Sodavid's last-ditch tackle halted Somchai's run early in the 2nd half but it wasn't long before Chonburi added to their advantage. Eleven minutes after the break, Chansopheak tried to play his way out of trouble in his own penalty area, got dispossessed by Sittichok and the Thai midfielder made no mistake from eight yards out. A minute later and Crown threatened with their best chance of the game so far. Men Piphop sent Vat Samnang racing clear but Chakhon in the Chonburi goal stood firm, denying Samnang's two efforts and then collected Mat Nuron's weakly struck shot. Renewed by their chance, Crown were right back in the game and on 64 minutes Sath Rozak slotted in Sodavid who bore down on goal, but as Chakhon came out, the Crown midfielder pushed his shot the wrong side of the upright. A great opportunity to reduce the arrears wasted. Soon after the same player tried his luck from 25 yards but his shot sailed straight into the arms of Chakhon. Crown were caught out by another long ball but Sittichok went for power and the ball was blasted over the bar. Mesa came out bravely to deny Saharat as he burst through, and Somchai also blazed wildly high and wide. With ten minutes of the game remaining, Chonburi registered a third goal in fortunate circumstances. Somchai's floated cross caught Mesa in two minds and before he could react, it had cleared his head and nestled in the net. Refusing to lie-down, Crown's Chhuot Senteang, on the bench due to a family bereavement, moved onto a Seut Baraing pass but saw his shot saved by Chakhon, only for Keo Dara to smash the loose ball against the foot of the post. On 84 minutes, Chonburi put the result in no doubt when Sittichok powered in an unopposed header from Kanthawat's cross-field pass. Just a minute from the end, Senteang grabbed a very late consolation goal for Crown as Mat Sakrovy skipped past two defenders, pushed the ball to the striker and he powered his shot past Chakhon. Too little too late as far as the result goes but good to see the Crown team fight to the end of the game. They now travel for the next two days for the match in East Timor on Tuesday, followed by the return away to Chonburi next Saturday. 
PPCFC line-up: Mesa, Chansopheak, Baraing, Sovann, Titchhy (Noeut 79), Sodavid, Chanpolin (Rozak 62), Piphop (Sakrovy 83), Muslim (Dara 70), Nuron, V Samnang (Senteang 60). Subs not used: S Samnang, Ponvuthy, K Chhaya, T Chhaya. Bookings: Titchhy. MOTM: Mesa.

Oh, so close to success

PPCFC Academy Back Row: Chanpolin, Titchhy, Baraing, Mesa, Senteang, Sovann (capt). Front Row: Sodavid, Nuron, Piphop, Muslim, Chansopheak.

Ouch... it's very painful to concede a goal in the dying moments of such an important match but its another step on the learning curve for the Phnom Penh Crown Academy as they take on the best youth players around the Asean region. Today it was the Frenz United A team representing Malaysia who came to the party for the Crown Academy's first home game in the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy. A large crowd gathered to witness this historic first encounter, with Crown seeking to recover from last week's 4-0 reverse in Ho Chi Minh against Vietnam's PVF. Frenz had defeated Singapore in their opening game and were looking to add weight to their competition favourites tag. Sam Schweingruber took charge in Bouy Dary's absence - he's in Myanmar with the U-14 national team - and made two changes to last week's starters, bringing in Boeung Ket's young goalkeeper Sim Mesa and strengthening midfield with Men Piphop. The match began tentatively though Crown's subtle passing and organisation was much in evidence. In Sodavid had the first attempt on goal after five minutes though his 20-yard effort was easily collected by the goalkeeper. A minute later Sim Mesa showed strong hands to deny Naaim Razak from close range after a scramble in the Crown box, and then was down quickly to gather a drilled effort by Hafizuddin Zuki on the twenty minute mark. Seut Baraing placed a 30-yard free-kick into the hands of Frenz keeper Adam Zaini, but it was his surging run and finely timed pass that gave Crown the game's opening goal on 34 minutes. Baraing broke from his left-back position, surged through midfield and found Chhuot Senteang's run behind the defense, and Senteang's finish was clinical as Zaini came off his goal-line. The players obvious delight was matched by the roar of the crowd. Five minutes later Mesa was again down smartly to fall onto a goal-bound header from Razak. In the final minute of the first half, Mesa came our bravely to block Akhmar Haiqal's run with his foot and then easily collected Syafiq Helmi's weak shot. The first-half ended with Crown ahead, which prompted Frenz coach Matdinos Talib to comment; "Cambodia were very fast with good individual skill and simply better than us in the 1st-half."

After the restart, Frenz upped the tempo noticeably, but Crown responded by battling bravely and working hard to close down spaces and limit their opponents. Mesa's punch didn't go far though Aidel Nekmat's shot was also weak in return, while Haiqal's blast from fifteen yards went sailing over the cross-bar. Crown were forced to make changes as cramps and injuries took their toll but they looked comfortable enough without creating too many problems for Frenz at the other end. The nearest miss came as Orn Chanpolin was unlucky not to connect with a dropping ball after a scramble in the Frenz area before he was replaced, one of five changes Crown made. As the game entered five minutes of injury time, it looked as though Crown were heading towards a memorable victory until two minutes into time added on, Frenz struck to grab a point and break a few hearts. Mesa collected the ball and tried a quick drop-kick, but the ball came straight back and Ouk Sovann attempted to head it back to his keeper, only for Akhmar Haiqal to spot the opportunity and direct his header into the net before Mesa could collect. It was a deflating moment for Crown's otherwise immaculate captain Sovann and Mesa, who had an outstanding match.

Coach Sam Schweingruber was upbeat despite the late leveller. "I'm very proud of the boys. They showed a great game, a lot of discipline and worked very hard. Our objective was to keep a clean sheet for as long as possible - we didn't have enough possession to create lots of chances, but we were on track after the first-half - and were well-organised and well-disciplined. The longer the game went on we had players who had injuries and cramps, so I had to make changes, but we kept our shape so we were disappointed with the final result as it was our own mistake that led to the equaliser. It was physically and mentally tough for our boys, playing 90 minutes against such strong opposition, and our players don't play this length of match regularly. I'm very proud of our performance. We are learning, we are developing and we need to get our energy levels up so we can play a full game at a high level."
Academy line-up: Mesa, Chansopheak, Baraing, Titchhy, Sovann, Piphop (T Chhaya 80), Sodavid, Chanpolin (V Samnang 91), Muslim (Rozak 57), Nuron (Ponvuthy 95), Senteang (Noeut 66). Subs not used: Chanvuthy, Phearath, K Chhaya, Chanchav. Booking: Piphop. MOTM: Mesa.

The Frenz Malaysia A starting line-up

Academy aftermath

In the aftermath of the Phnom Penh Crown Academy's defeat in the first game of the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy, losing 4-0 to PVF from Vietnam in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday night, Academy coach Bouy Dary, who flew straight to Myanmar to coach the Cambodian U-14 national team, had this to say. "Though we lost, I was happy enough because the team fought as a team, and we played the way I want to play by starting to defend in our own half. Then we did really well when we got the ball and were brave. We made four good chances in the first half, but we were obviously smaller and slower than them. Now we know where we need to improve and this will help us plan our training. To play 90 minutes is not easy against bigger and stronger teams, so we must work harder than before to be fit and last the whole match. I'm already looking forward to the return match at home, as we were cleverer than they were." With Dary now in Myanmar for the AFC U-14 Championships, the build-up to next Saturday's second ACT game, at home, for the Crown Academy will be overseen by the club's head coach Sam Schweingruber.

Sam was with the team in Vietnam and offered up his thoughts on what the Crown Academy learned from the 4-0 defeat to PVF. "The Academy will train every morning from Monday to Friday in preparation for the next game on Saturday with Frenz. I expect the game to be similarly difficult. We have to build up our endurance and resistance to be able to compete over 90 minutes at this level. We need to improve our preparation so that key players don’t go out with cramps, etc. We play well, we know the game, we have good skills but under constant pressure and with physical disadvantages (such as height, strength, speed and endurance) we obviously end up making mistakes, and that will be our goal to eliminate these mistakes. We also lack some conviction around the opponents box, we have good build up but problems with the final pass and we fail to create enough chances against good teams. So lots to work on, but this is precisely why we have joined the Asean Champions Trophy, to test ourselves against stronger opposition." The kick-off time has yet to be confirmed but the Olympic Stadium will be the venue for Saturday's (1 June) hosting of the Frenz Malaysia A team, who beat NFA Singapore 2-1 in their tie on Sunday.

The Cambodia U-14 national team flew out from Phnom Penh on Sunday to Naypyidaw, the capital of Myanmar (Burma) to take part in the AFC U-14 Championships qualifying group stages. Crown Academy coach Bouy Dary is in charge and he has flown straight from Vietnam to join the squad, alongwith goalkeeper Svang Samnang, after yesterday's Asean Champions Trophy match. Assisting Dary will be assistant coaches Oum Savong and Ouk Mic and Lidwina Niewold as physio. The U-14s matches are as follows:
28 May v Bangladesh - 3.30pm
29 May v Indonesia - 9am
31 May v Laos - 6pm
2 Jun v Thailand - 3.30pm
3 Jun v Singapore - 9am

The Cambodia U-14s flying to Myanmar for the AFC U-14 Championships

PVF prove too strong

PPCFC Academy v PVF. Back Row LtoR: Titchhy, Senteang, Sovann, Baraing, Chanpolin, Samnang. Front Row: Nuron, Muslim, Chansopheak, Chhaya, Sodavid.

Entering an Asean-wide youth competition is a massive step-up for the Phnom Penh Crown Academy youngsters and that's exactly how they found it in their opening match of the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy tonight in Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam's PVF Academy, from Ho Chi Minh, are the 2012 Vietnamese champions at U-15 age level and they proved to be the tough opponents that coach Bouy Dary expected. With the match played under floodlights at the Thanh Long Sports Center, Dary began with his strongest line-up and on 17 minutes they looked to have earned a penalty when Yeu Muslim was brought down, only for the referee to acknowledge the linesman's flag and award offside instead. A minute before the half hour and PVF took the lead. Doan Trung faked his initial shot to thwart two defenders and then fired past Svang Samnang in the Crown goal from twenty yards out. On 37 minutes, Crown failed to clear a corner, PVF's first, and Doan Trung crashed in a shot to make it two goals up at half-time for the home team.

After the break, PVF extended their lead on the hour and it was Doan Trung who was on hand to net from close-range for his hat-trick. Crown coach Bouy Dary made changes to bring on fresh legs but it was PVF who scored again, twelve minutes from time, when Samnang fumbled a shot and Vu Tin was on hand to tap home the rebound. So a 4-0 defeat for the Crown Academy on their first outing in the new Asean Champions Trophy. They now have an understanding of just how hard it will be against teams like PVF, Chonburi and Frenz Malaysia. PVF were bigger in stature and strength, were aggressive from the opening minute and they clinically punished any mistakes. For Chonburi, they opened up their account tonight with an 8-0 home win over Timor Leste U-15s which included a hat-trick for Sittichok Paso.

The PPCFC Academy line-up: Samnang, Chansopheak, Baraing, Titchhy, Sovann (capt), Chhaya (Rozak 85), Sodavid, Chanpolin (Piphop 64), Nuron (Ponvuthy 88), Muslim (Phearath 81), Senteang (Noeut 58). Subs not used: Chanvuthy, Chanchav. 

The teams line-up for the national anthems

Carrying hopes

Back Row, LtoR: Dary (coach), Sodavid, Titchhy, Sovann, Senteang, Dinarong, Baraing, Samnang, Chanchav, Chanpolin, Ravan, Chanvuthy. Front Row: Ponvuthy, Nuron, Chhaya, Muslim, Phearath, Chansopheak, Noeut, Piphop, Rozak.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy squad line-up at Phnom Penh's International Airport before they leave to fly to Ho Chi Minh City courtesy of Air Asia. They take on Vietnam's PVF Academy in the opening match of the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy at 7.30pm tomorrow (Saturday) evening.  

Meanwhile, Sam Schweingruber, the Swiss-born head coach of Phnom Penh Crown and the coach of the Cambodia Girls team has been handed a third role, as the head coach of the Cambodian U-16 national team. The U-16s will travel to Napyidaw in Myanmar to take part in the AFF U-16 Championship qualifiers between 20-31 August. Cambodia are in group A with Brunei, Vietnam, Myanmar and Australia. Sam and his coaching assistants have already been running the rule over potential recruits to the squad including his club's Academy boys, who are in Vietnam ahead of their first game in the Asean U-15 Champions Trophy tomorrow. Assisting Sam with the role will be Bouy Dary (the U-14 national coach and PPCFC Academy head coach), Ieng Saknida, Keo Kosal, Ung Kanyanith and goalkeeping coach In Sokha. Saknida and Sokha are also in Vietnam with the Crown Academy squad, as are Schweingruber and Dary.

Champions in waiting

The FAM deputy president presiding over last weekend's press conference

At the official press conference to announce the new FAM-Frenz U15 Asean Champions Trophy held in Kuala Lumpur last weekend, the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) deputy president HRH Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah (pictured above) said; “This Under-15 tournament should not just be a tournament for the younger players to gain exposure, but it should be the place where they learn to become champions." I can't argue too much with that, albeit the expectation for under-15 year olds maybe a little high. In many respects he's really putting the pressure on the Malaysian boys from Frenz United to perform out of their skin. As the organisers of the competition, he expects them to win. As for the Phnom Penh Crown Academy, their journey towards that goal begins at the Thanh Long Sports Center ground in Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow evening (7.30pm) when they take on the PVF Academy (Promotion Fund of Vietnamese Football Talents), regarded as the best Academy in Vietnam, and the 2012 national champions at both U-13 and U-15 levels. The Academy youngsters flew out from Phnom Penh this morning under the leadership of the Academy head coach Bouy Dary, with Crown head coach Sam Schweingruber tagging along for good luck. This is the start of a great opportunity for the Academy team, pitting themselves against the best that other Asean countries have to offer. We've no idea what will happen, but rest assured, I know they will give their best for club and country. The squad for tomorrow's match is: Kung Chanvuthy, Svang Samnang, Ken Chansopheak, Suon Noeut, Long Phearath, Ouk Sovann, Sraing Titchhy, Seut Baraing, Men Piphop, Ouk Dinarong; Orn Chanpolin, Choun Chanchav, Sath Rozak, Theang Chhaya, In Sodavid, Kunthea Ravan, Mat Nuron; Pov Ponvuthy, Yeu Muslim, Chhuot Senteang.
You may notice three names that are not members of the usual Academy squad and they are Kung Chanvuthy, who is a goalkeeper from Prek Kdam and two Preah Khan Reach players, defender Ouk Dinarong and midfielder Kunthea Ravan. They have joined the Crown team for these Asean Champions Trophy matches to add depth to the squad and because all three are likely to appear in the national U-16 squad later this year, alongside many of the Academy players.

Post coverage

Phnom Penh Post article - click to read

The Phnom Penh Post sometimes comes up short with its local football coverage but credit where its due with their article today on the news regarding the FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy that kicks off this Saturday, when Phnom Penh Crown Academy face the PVF Academy in Saigon. The Post have encapsulated the details of the new competition perfectly.

ASEAN Champions Trophy for Crown Academy

FAM-Frenz U-15 ASEAN CHAMPIONS TROPHY 2013
 
One of the most exciting developments in Asean youth football for decades will begin this coming weekend, on Saturday 25 May. The first round of matches in the brand new FAM-Frenz U-15 Asean Champions Trophy 2013 will take place with all 11 Asean nations competing for the first time in a Champions League-style club competition. With substantial prize money at stake - US$50,000 going to the champions and US$25,000 to the runners-up - this new competition is the brainchild of the Football Association of Malaysia and the Frenz United Football Academy of Pahang, Malaysia, with major sponsorship partners including the regional airline carrier, Air Asia.

Twelve hand-picked teams regarded as the best in each country, which will include two from the Frenz United Academy in Malaysia, will play home and away matches in two groups, with the top two teams going onto contest Semi-Finals and the Final over two legs. Cambodia’s representative will be the Phnom Penh Crown Academy, regarded as possessing the cream of U-15 youth footballers in the Kingdom amongst their ranks. For their competition debut, PPCFC Academy will travel to meet Vietnam’s PVF Academy in Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday 25 May for a 7.30pm evening kick-off. The following Saturday, 1 June, PPCFC Academy will be on home soil for the first time to entertain the Frenz Malaysia Academy side, with the game scheduled for the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh. Kick-off time to be confirmed next week.

The organisers and their sponsors are guaranteeing the cost of flights, accommodation, food and transport for all teams’ away matches, so when the PPCFC Academy plays away for example, all costs will be covered for twenty players and five officials. For home matches, it is PPCFC Academy’s responsibility to host their visitors at the Olympic Stadium. There will be an admission charge to watch the games at the Olympic Stadium.
The two groups are as follows:
Group A: Frenz Malaysia A, Singapore NFA, Vietnam PVF Academy, Phnom Penh Crown Academy, Thailand Chonburi Academy, Timor Leste U-15s.
Group B: Frenz Indonesia, Myanmar Mandalay Academy, Lao Toyota Academy, Brunei U-15, Philippines U-15, Frenz Malaysia B.

The fixtures for the PPCFC Academy are as follows:
Saturday 25 May AWAY v Vietnam PVF FA at Thanh Long Sports Center, Ho Chi Minh. KO 7.30pm.
Saturday 1 June HOME v Frenz Malaysia A at Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh. KO to be confirmed.
*Thursday 6 June AWAY v Singapore NFA at Jalan Besar, Singapore. KO 7.45pm.
Saturday 15 June AWAY v Timor Leste U-15 at Municipal Stadium, Dili. KO 3.45pm.
Saturday 22 June HOME v Chonburi FC Thailand at Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh. KO to be confirmed.
Saturday 29 June AWAY v Chonburi FC Thailand at Chonburi Stadium. KO 6pm.
Saturday 6 July HOME v Timor Leste U-15 at Olympic Stadium, Phom Penh. KO to be confirmed.
*Saturday 13 July HOME v Singapore NFA at Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh. KO to be confirmed.
Saturday 20 July AWAY v Frenz Malaysia A at Frenz Stadium, Pahang. KO 8.30pm.
Saturday 27 July HOME v Vietnam PVF FA at Olympic Stadium, Phnom Penh. KO to be confirmed.
2 Leg Semi Finals on 3 and 17 August. 2 Leg Final on 24 Aug and 1 Sept.
*Provisional Dates to be confirmed.

At the Official Press Conference to announce the competition, held at the weekend in Kuala Lumpur, the Football Association of Malaysia’s (FAM) deputy president HRH Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah said; “This Under-15 tournament should not just be a tournament for the younger players to gain exposure, but it should be the place where they learn to become champions. It must start at this stage, and the coaches must play their roles to bring up these champions. I am very proud that the tournament is taking place in Pahang (where he is the Crown Prince, and home of Frenz United), and my hope is to see a Malaysia team win the US$100,000 prize money.”
Phnom Penh Crown President, Mr Rithy Samnang, spoke about the benefits of the new U-15 Asean Champions Trophy. "This new competition is a fantastic opportunity for Cambodia's best U-15 players to compare themselves against the best players of the same age across the Asean region. It’s a ground-breaking competition which will allow the young players of Cambodia to understand what is required to match their Asean neighbours, who have historically performed better than Cambodia on the international stage. I am so excited by this Asean Champions Trophy, and I urge all Cambodian football fans to support this new competition."