Crown finish in 3rd spot

PPCFC vs Muangthong, back row, LtoR: Chanpolin, Senteang, Titchhy, Thomas, Soksela, Sovann (capt). Front: Suleiman, Ponvuthy, Noeut, Rozak, Baraing - click to enlarge

Sunday 7 June 2015: Phnom Penh Crown Academy 1 Muangthong United 1 - RSN Youth Cup.
With Chonburi already claiming the RSN Youth Cup trophy with a 4-1 win over Frenz United in the earlier match, it was Crown's intention to go out on a winning note and though they put on an excellent showing in front of their own fans at RSN Stadium, they fell just short and had to settle for a point, to finish the tournament in 3rd place behind Chonburi and Frenz. Sath Rozak and Chhuot Senteang tried their luck early on for Crown but it was Muangthong who had the ball in the net first, only for it to be ruled offside. On 29 minutes the ground erupted as Suleiman Samura met an Ouk Sovann free-kick with a deft half-volley touch to put Crown ahead. Umaru Samura replaced Suon Noeut and had an immediate impact. He was tackled twice in quick succession as he shaped to shoot, Senteang sent a looping header into the keeper's hands, before the visiting stopper, Yannasit Sukchakroen was out quickly to block Umaru. The same keeper couldn't hold a Sovann drive but as the ball fell kindly to Senteang, he sent his header spinning agonizingly wide.
A Sovann free-kick was tipped around the foot of a post as the 2nd half got underway. Suleiman Samura rose to a Sovann corner though headed powerfully wide, but it was the visitors who found the net on 56 minutes. Wongsathon Wisetphan got his head to a free-kick and the ball looped over the head of Keo Soksela and into the far corner to make it 1-1. Crown had the best of the chances with In Sodavid, Kim Chhaya and Suleiman all going very close. Sodavid was bundled over in the box but the flag was raised for offside and Soksela was alert to the last minute danger from Sundy Wongderee. Honours even, and a third straight draw for PPCFC.
Match report to follow:

Academy hold Chonburi

PPCFC v Chonburi, back row, LtoR; Umaru, Chanchav, Chhaya, Soksela, Thomas, Sovann. Front Row: Piphop, Sodavid, Ponvuthy, Suleiman, V Samnang (capt) - click to enlarge

Saturday 6 June 2015: Phnom Penh Crown Academy 0 Chonburi (Thailand) 0 - RSN Youth Cup.
The Crown Academy showed their resilience and determination to halt free-scoring Chonburi in this afternoon's game at RSN Stadium. Chonburi came into the game on a roll, having beaten Muangthong 5-1 and after a quiet 15 minutes, they pressed the home team, forcing Keo Soksela in the Crown goal to make two smart saves from Nattayot Phonyiam. At the other end Ouk Sovann was tackled as he sped clear and from the corner, Umaru Samura found room at the far post, only to see his effort clear the cross-bar by inches. Soksela dived at the feet of Saharat Sontisawat and then watched as Phonyiam's header clipped the top of the bar. Chonburi were enjoying the lion's share of possession but found Crown a tough nut to crack, with Soksela again in fine form at the start of the 2nd half. Worachit Kanitsribumphen volleyed a pass into his hands and then the keeper dived full length to his right to keep out a long range drive from Athiwat Poolsawat. On the half-hour Jason Thomas rose above the Chonburi defence to meet In Sodavid's corner, only to direct his header into the hands of keeper Chakhon Philakhlang, as the two teams cancelled out each other to end the game all-square. Crown meet Muangthong (who lost 3-1 to Frenz in the 2nd match today) at 6pm tomorrow in their final RSN Youth Cup match.
Match report to follow.

Crown start with a point

PPCFC XI, back row, LtoR: Umaru, Chhaya, Soksela, Titchhy, Thomas, Sovann. Front Row: Sodavid, Noeut, Suleiman, Baraing, Samnang (capt) + two lions (Boris and Danny) - click to enlarge

Friday 5 June 2015: Phnom Penh Crown Academy 0 Frenz United (Malaysia) 0 - RSN Youth Cup.
In an intriguing opening match of the RSN Youth Cup at the new RSN Stadium, PPCFC found Frenz a tough nut to crack and had to weather an opening onslaught by the visitors. As Crown got into the game, Kim Chhaya had a shot easily held while Umaru Samura challenged the keeper to a long ball and the ball squirmed out to Chhaya but his goal-bound shot was turned away. Frenz moved the ball quickly and looked assured but it was Crown who were inches away from taking the lead when Ouk Sovann's free-kick kissed the crossbar two minutes into the 2nd half. Umaru was also a foot wide with a snap-shot a few minutes later. Crown keeper Keo Soksela distinguished himself with a tackle on the edge of his box and a fingertip touch that stopped Frenz capitalising, while Chhaya sent a 25-yard drive spinning wide. As the final whistle sounded honours were shared, with real chances at a premium in the game. In the 2nd match, Chonburi stormed into a five-goal lead by half-time though Muangthong grabbed a consolation goal in a 5-1 reverse. 
Match report to follow.

RSN Youth Cup 5-7 June

RSN Youth Cup flyer - click to enlarge

• Opening Tournament at the RSN Stadium 5th-7th June, 2015
• The RSN Youth Cup 2015
• Proceeds will go to Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals
• 5 of the 6 matches will be televised live by Bayon TV

The opening tournament at the new RSN Stadium in Toul Kork, close to Camko City, and the home of Metfone Cambodian League Champions, Phnom Penh Crown, will take place on Friday 5th to Sunday 7th June 2015. A 4-team tournament – the RSN Youth Cup 2015 – will involve six matches played over 3 days of competition at the new stadium, with the Phnom Penh Crown Academy being joined by three of the strongest Academy (Under-18) teams in Asia, Malaysia’s Frenz United, and Chonburi and SCG Muangthong United from Thailand.
Crown President Mr Rithy Samnang, after whom the stadium is named, is the guiding force behind the 5,000-plus all-seater stadium, which has taken twenty months to construct. “This is a giant step for our club and we are honored to welcome three of the best Academies in Asia to join us for this tournament at our new stadium. I am sure it will be a spectacular beginning to a new and exciting stage in the development of our club and Cambodian football. To mark this special occasion, we will donate all the proceeds from the tournament to the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospitals, who provide free medical care to families in Cambodia and who do such a wonderful job in caring for sick children.”
On Friday 5th June, Phnom Penh Crown Academy will open the tournament with a 5.30PM (1730) match against Frenz United from Malaysia. The match will be televised live by Bayon TV, as will five of the six games. Crown meet Thailand’s Chonburi on Saturday 6th at 4PM (1600), and will then close the tournament with a match against SCG Muangthong United at 6PM (1800) on Sunday 7th.

The Tournament Fixtures are as follows:
Friday 5th June 2015
Game 1: 1730-1930 – PPCFC vs Frenz Utd (live on BTV)
Game 2: 2000-2200 – Muangthong Utd vs Chonburi (live on BTV)
Saturday 6th June 2015
Game 1:1600-1800 – PPCFC vs Chonburi (live on BTV)
Game 2: 1800-2000 – Frenz Utd vs Muangthong Utd
Sunday 7th June 2015
Game 1: 1600-1800 – Chonburi vs Frenz Utd (live on BTV)
Game 2: 1800-2000 – PPCFC vs Muangthong Utd (live on BTV).
The admission price for each day of the tournament will be 4,000 riel, with a prize draw on Sunday for some lucky ticket holders. Tickets will be available at RSN on matchdays. The duration of each game will be 80 minutes, three foreign players are allowed to play and the tournament will be played in a league format, with the winners gaining the most points.