A small step

The brand new disabled toilet facility at the RSN Stadium

Facilities geared specifically towards the disabled are few and far between in Cambodia. Full stop. Let alone where sporting facilities are concerned. So I'm more than pleased to report that the disabled toilet at Phnom Penh Crown's RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork has now been constructed and is open for business. Every Sunday, the Indochina Starfish Foundation play their football matches at the Crown headquarters, with competitive games between boys and girls teams at varying age levels. ISF are extra keen to include those less able-bodied than most of us in their activities and to this end, felt it was important to improve the facilities on offer. Crown were only too happy to support their plan, and with the financial help of ISF supporters Tim Lacey and Dubai Larrikins, a dedicated toilet and ramp were recently constructed. It's a small step but an important one. And it's another addition to the ever-growing facilities at the RSN Stadium, where two futsal foootball pitches, with artificial grass, have also been completed in the last few days and are now available for the Crown first team and Academy boys to use, as well as being available for hire.

The new Crown futsal pitches a few days before their completion

Crown net nine

The 2nd half Academy line-up v CCOLT. Back Row LtoR: Titchhy, Sodavid, Piphop, Chanpolin. Front: Ponvuthy, Chhaya, Muslim, Phearath, Chanchav.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy youngsters, already top of the table in the Barclays Capital ISF Champions League, cemented their position with a 9-0 victory over CCOLT (Cambodian Children Orphanage for Living and Training) this morning. CCOLT proved tough nuts to crack initially with their goalkeeper in outstanding form and it took an own goal to dent their confidence. Fine individual goals from In Sodavid and Mat Sakrovy increased Crown's lead at the interval to 3-0. As often happens in their matches, the Academy's unrelenting pass and move style as well as their superior fitness took a heavy toll on their opponents. Orn Chanpolin started the goal-rush and headed a second soon after, with Pon Ponvuthy, Sraing Titchhy (penalty), Yeu Muslim and Theang Chhaya also adding to CCOLT's woes in the 2nd half. The Champions League team have now won all six of their matches, netting 62 goals and conceding none. The 'B' team, made up of a mix of Academy and non-Academy boys also enjoyed a goal feast, beating the deaf team from Krousar Thmey 13-0, with Ly Heng netting five. Matches were taking place all day today, as they do every Sunday, at Crown's Tuol Kork headquarters, where a disabled toilet was under construction to help with the increased disabled involvement in the ISF competition this year. ISF supporters Tim Lacey and Dubai Larrikins have helped with the funding.

Sraing Titchhy makes no mistake from the penalty spot

Yeu Muslim is felled in the box for a penalty

Yeu Muslim sprints clear of the last defender

Listening intently to their coach

Ken Chansopheak breaking into the penalty area

In Sodavid in a midfield tussle

The 1st half Academy team v CCOLT. Back Row LtoR: Baraing, Sodavid, Titchhy, Sovann, Sakrovy. Front: Noeut, Chansopheak, Rozak, Samnang.

Skipper In Sodavid (23) paying attention to the match officials

The Crown 'B' team before their 13-0 win today

Mat Sakrovy before the kick-off

Focusing on the pre-match instructions; Sovann, Sodavid and Rozak

Coach Bouy Dary with his Academy boys