Obadin shocker

The PPCFC squad pictured before their departure Saturday morning - click to enlarge

The look of bewilderment on the face of Odion Obadin told a sad story as he said his goodbyes to his teammates, after being refused entry into China and sent back to Cambodia on the next available flight. Phnom Penh Crown were on their way to Tajikistan to represent Cambodia in the final stages of the AFC President's Cup and were flying to the Tajik capital of Dushanbe via the Chinese airports of Guangzhou and Urumqi. The team had met at 6am Saturday morning, ready for their flight out two hours later. The television cameras were present to see the team off with Tieng Tiny and Khim Borey giving interviews before the team boarded their flight with Southern China airlines. The surly and hostile airport police weren't exactly the welcoming committee they had expected at Guangzhou airport and then Odion was pulled out of the transit queue and ordered to sit and wait whilst officials investigated his paperwork. The rest of the squad waited to be reunited with their popular defender, only for Obadin to arrive an hour later, under guard of two airport officials who said he wasn't allowed into China without a visa, even though the player was merely transiting through and not actually staying in the country. There was no room for manoeuvre as Obadin collected his bag, said his goodbyes and was ushered away. At this time, the club is looking into getting Obadin to Tajikistan via another route. The deflated squad caught their next flight, a five and half hour trip to Urumqi, in northwestern China and then a 2.5 hour flight to Dushanbe, their final destination, arriving at 2am Cambodian time. A police escort took the team to its headquarters at the 5* Dushanbe Serena Hotel for some well-earned shut-eye, but the disappearance of Obadin has left a sour taste in the mouth ahead of the club's most important games of the season.

Captain Tieng Tiny meets the television media before departure

It's Khim Borey's turn to face the television cameras

Last gasp

PPCFC Academy. 1st half. Back LtoR: Chanpolin, Sodavid, Chansopheak, Samnang, Baraing. Front: Piphop, Nuron, Muslim, Phearath

Blow me down, they did it again. The Preah Khan Reach U-16s have the Indian Sign over the Phnom Penh Crown U-14 Academy boys at the moment. Despite PKR's age and size advantage, games between the two teams are always close and evenly-contested for the most part, though I've yet to recall a win for the Academy youngsters. Which is rare, as the Academy tend to beat everyone else out of sight. Today's 9-a-side game at the 3G all-weather pitch was a case in point. PKR started strongly, went ahead only to see the Academy boys pass their way into a 3-2 lead with five minutes of the match remaining. Then with literally the last kick of the match PKR equalized at 3-3 and the teams once again shared the spoils, which is becoming an all-too-common result when the teams meet. The match was played at 3G as Crown's RSN Stadium pitch is currently waterlogged. The Academy were at full strength besides the injured Phoeun Sopheak and Nop David, who was taken to hospital last night to have tests to determine if he has dengue fever. We certainly hope not and wish David a speedy recovery.
Preah Khan took the lead after just two minutes, capitalising on a defensive error, though PPCFC levelled twenty minutes later, by which time they were well on top, when Orn Chanpolin finished off a sweet passing move. Playing three halves of thirty minutes each, Crown went ahead near the end of the second period when Ouk Sovann sent a free kick from his own half over the head of the opposing goalkeeper. In the third half, PKR equalised before Seut Baraing ventured forward from defence to cap a fine run with a goal. With a victory on the cards, Crown were brought back down to earth with that last gasp leveller from PKR. Honours even, again.

Yeu Muslim sprints clear of the PKR defence

New arrival Mat Nuron feels the pain

The Academy line-up for the 2nd half: Back: Chanpolin, Senteang, S Samnang, Sovann, Sakrovy. Front: V Samnang, K Chhaya, Noeut, T Chhaya

The third half starters. Back: K Chhaya, Sodavid, Titchhy, S Samnang, Sakrovy. Front: Piphop, V Samnang, Ponvuthy, Chanchav

Coach Bouy Dary explains exactly what he wants from his squad

The Academy boys listen to instructions

Talking football

Sonneat (with camera), Sokpheary and myself after the interview

I won't be able to watch myself in action as I'll be in the air, on my way to Tajikistan, when the interview that we filmed this morning, will be shown on the Cambodian News Channel this coming Saturday. Sports presenter Sokpheary and her cameraman Sonneat came to my office early doors to film an interview focusing on Phnom Penh Crown's involvement in the AFC President's Cup. They only have a 15-minute segment, though the interview easily lasted 45 minutes. A bunch of questions from Sokpheary, crisp answers from myself and Rumnea, off-camera, translating my responses into Khmer. It went swimmingly well. They will also try to get some footage of  the Crown team training this week and if they can make it in time, they'll see us off at the airport on Saturday morning. The segment will be shown on the CNC Sports Corner programme on Saturday 22 September between 6-7pm.

New faces in 2013

There will be two new teams in the Metfone C-League next season after their success in the Division A1 championships played in Pursat last week. Asia Europe University will replace fellow students from Western University who were relegated at the end of their first season, whilst the Senate Secretariat team, who beat AEU 1-0 in the A1 final, will take the place of Chhlam Samuth in the top flight in 2013. The students from Phnom Penh-based AEU will be chuffed after they finished third in the Division A1 play-offs last year and were pipped for a place by Western University and Boeung Ket. In this year's semi-finals of the championship, the Senate side beat Chhma Khmao Svay Rieng (aka the Preah Khan Reach U-19 team) 2-1, while AEU crashed Prek Pra 5-0. In the third place play-off, Chhma Khmao beat Prek Pra 3-0.

Taking issue

Keo Sokngorn receives his Best Player cheque

I find it increasingly difficult to agree with virtually every decision emanating from the football federation in Cambodia. The big one for me was the decision to reintroduce the play-off system to decide who would be the league champions. That simply stinks for a football traditionalist like me. Have your play-offs to decide minor relegation or promotion places or cup competitions but never to decide the destination of the country's championship title. It's wrong whichever way you look at it. That said, the FFC are also responsible for choosing the other end of season awards such as the season's best player. Last time around they bamboozled everyone, including the player himself, by choosing Chea Samnang from Preah Khan Reach. No-one saw that coming, as the officials completely overlooked a long list of players with far more pressing credentials. Blow me down, if they don't go and do the same again this season. You'd think that the captain of the title-winning team, Boeung Ket, might have a shout at the award, but again there have been players who've performed to a higher standard and with more consistency this campaign. The prize was picked up by Keo Sokngorn yesterday. The player had one of his best games too but over the course of the season, he has not shone, either for club and country, certainly not as much as he did when he picked up the same award two years ago. In his own team, Friday Nwakuna, who has looked twice the player he was in his previous spells in the C-League, and combative, shoot-on-sight Sumaila Momoh have been far more outstanding. For Naga, Chuon Chum changed his name and changed his game, and was in rampant form throughout the season, whilst two more Preah Khan youngsters, Moul Daravorn and Nen Sothearoth, have come on leaps and bounds this year. Injuries to two of the country's best players, Khuon Laboravy and Kouch Sokumpheak, have allowed others to shine in their absence such as Sos Suhana, Sokngorn's younger brother Keo Sokpheng and Ek Sopheap from Kirivong. There's no argument when it comes to Boeung Ket collecting the top scorer (Friday Nwakuna), best coach (Prak Vuthy) and best goalkeeper (Penh Bunchhay) awards but I've watched most of the C-League matches this season and must take issue with the FFC's choice of best player.
PS. I forgot that the FFC also awarded the best referee award to Thong Chankethya, another decision I completely disagree with. Chankethya is a referee I've written about many times, he's card happy and definitely doesn't follow the old adage that a good referee is one we don't see when we watch a match. He appears to love making decisions that impact on games and yesterday's dismissal of Sin Dalin was another case in point. If I took a poll amongst the C-League players as to which referees they least want to be in the middle; I reckon Chankethya will be right up there, alongside Khuon Virak and Yien Kivatanak.

Rubbermen clean up

Boeung Ket collect the Metfone C-League trophy

Everything fell into place for the Rubbermen from Kompong Cham today, with Boeung Ket claiming the top prize, the Metfone C-League championship, with a 3-1 play-off final win over the rightful champions, NagaCorp. They also collected the top goalscorer, coach, best player and goalkeeper awards in a virtual clean sweep of the end of season prizes in what is their first season in the top flight, while Naga collected the runners-up and fairplay cheques. Naga will feel rightly aggrieved that they weren't crowned champions after winning the 18-game domestic campaign but the federation had decided to reintroduce the Super 4 play-offs this season and that handed the advantage to Boeung Ket, who introduced their joker in the pack, Julius Oiboh for the final two deciding matches. The surprise move worked a treat, both Preah Khan and Naga were quaking in their boots at the sight of the Nigerian hitman and in today's final, it was all over bar the shouting even with Boeung Ket going down to ten-men after just 26 minutes. They were already two goals ahead, but the momentum was with them and with a strong defensive showing and Oiboh looking a danger every time he touched the ball, they ran out easy winners.
Boeung Ket had the luxury of leaving the C-League's top scorer Friday Nwakuna in the stands and instead selected Oiboh for the second game running, after the striker's arrival on loan from Thai club Rangsit for the play-off games had given the Rubbermen a massive confidence boost. Oiboh was the C-League's top scorer last year whilst with Naga but had no qualms about facing his former teammates in today's final. With early afternoon rain leaving the pitch wet underfoot, BK took the lead after 13 minutes. Naga keeper Phorn Ratana had raced out of his area to foul Oiboh and get himself a yellow card. Keo Sokngorn's inswinging free-kick took a wicked deflection off the top of Neang Chenla's head and gave his own keeper no chance. Four minutes later and Sokngorn capped a finely-balanced sprint into the box with a delicate chip over Ratana and Beoung Ket were well and truly in the driving seat. Referee Thong Chankethya, always keen to make his mark on a game, handed Naga a lifeline when he brandished a red card in the face of BK's Sin Dalin after a 50/50 sliding tackle which left San Narith clutching his shin. It was a harsh decision in anyone's book. A few minutes later and a dangerously high challenge by Naga's Tiet Chandarasokha on Sokngorn looked considerably worse, though the defender was merely cautioned. A crucial miss by Narith on the half-hour was Naga's best chance to grab a lifeline and with BK leading 2-nil at the interval, the writing was on the wall.
A minute into the second half and BK made certain of their play-off final success. Oiboh easily skated past Chenla and fired low and hard inside the near post to put his most recent employers three goals ahead and sink Naga's faint hopes. As heavy rain made conditions worse, it was Oiboh again who had the crowd on its feet when he left Chenla in his wake but squirmed his shot wide when he seemed destined to net another trademark solo goal. Boeung Ket's solid defensive backline thwarted Naga until two minutes into time added on when Chuon Chum poked home after good approach work by Prak Chanratana, and was promptly booked for pulling his shorts down. It was referee Chankethya's sixth booking of the afternoon to add to one red card. He quickly blew for full time and signalled the start of the Rubbermen's mud-coated pitchside celebrations. BK coach Prak Vuthy collected the coach of the season award while goalkeeper Peng Bunchhay picked up his 2nd successive keeper of the year prize and his third consecutive C-League winners medal. Keo Sokngorn was a surprise choice as player of the year, having collected the same award two years earlier, while his teammate Friday Nwakuna put any disappointment for being overlooked for the crucial play-off games behind him, by collecting the Golden Boot award with 20 goals. It capped a dramatic debut season C-League championship success for the provincial club.

Boeung Ket line-up. Back LtoR: Bunchhay, Dalin, Oiboh, Momoh, Ravy, Sokngorn. Front: Ohuruogu, Sokheng, Kumpheak, Vibol, Pancharong

Naga line-up. Back LtoR: Chum, Chenla, Sopanha, Chanratana, Lawal, Vathanak. Front: Nwafor, Chandarasokha, Ratana, Narith, Sothearith

Referee Thong Chankethya in typical tossing pose with captains Sokngorn (blue) and Vathanak

Six cast aside

I'm a bit late in announcing the departures from the Cambodian national team squad, which will head to Malaysia for a training camp ahead of their AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying matches to be played in Myanmar at the beginning of October. Someone forgot to tell me. Following the 0-0 draw with Philippines ten days ago, the national coach Hok Sochetra decided to jettison half a dozen players from his squad, namely keeper Phorn Ratana and Chuon Chum from Naga, Sok Rithy and Nen Sothearoth from Preah Khan, Pov Phearith from Army and Sok Pheng from Phnom Penh Crown. That leaves a squad to travel to Malaysia, where they will meet the host country in a friendly on 2 October, of: Yaty, Vichet, Raksmey, Pancharong, Khemarin, Vibol, Thavrak, Piseth, Tiny, Sothearath, Veasna, Sopanha, S Udom, Suhana, Sokngorn, Saray, PM Udom, Vathanak , Borey, Chhoeun, Soksana.

1st half drubbing

PPCFC starting line-up. Back LtoR: Dara, Rady, Obadin, Frimpong, S Pheng, Tiny. Front: Sovan, Suhana, Seiha, Chaya, Borey

They arrived with the best intentions, suffered a severe setback when their promised match against the Cambodian national team failed to materialize and then suffered a first-half drubbing in today's friendly match at Olympic Stadium. I'm talking about the Khmer-Europe XI, who found Phnom Penh Crown's AFC President's Cup line-up simply too hot to handle, going down 5-1, which was the score at the half-time interval. With the country's head coach Hok Sochetra in the stands watching for potential fresh talent amongst the tourists, it was a trio of his current national team squad that did the damage in the opening 45 minutes, with Sos Suhana grabbing a hat-trick and Khim Borey and Sok Pheng also getting themselves on the scoresheet. Crown packed nine national team players, current and former, into their starting XI, with African imports Frimpong and Obadin taking up the other two slots. It was their strongest possible line-up and it showed as the first half progressed with some slick one-touch passing carving open the visiting defence almost at will. But it was the Khmer-Euro team that started the game with a bang. With just a minute on the clock, Thierry Bin unleashed a powerful drive which Crown stopper Samrith Seiha stretched to push onto the crossbar. Twenty seconds later the PPC keeper had to be alert to tip Jacky Chandi's volley over the top. Within a minute Sos Suhana smacked a low drive against the foot of the upright, Sok Pheng headed a corner inches wide and on five minutes, Suhana edged Crown in front. Khim Borey's flighted through ball found Suhana in acres of space and he raced on to finish coolly. Moments before Crown scored their second, Stephane Pen robbed Odion Obadin but Seiha's feet came to the rescue. On ten minutes Borey made it two-nil as he held off a defender when sprinting onto Sok Sovan's fifty-yard rangefinder and neatly clipped his shot wide of Makara Tea in the visitors goal.
With Crown making all the running and finding the gaps widening in the Khmer-Euro backline, Borey had two more opportunities, the first saved by Tea, the second slipping a foot wide, while he turned provided for Emmanuel Frimpong, only for the Ghanaian to head agonisingly wide. Two minutes after the half hour and Crown went further ahead. Sok Pheng turned the last defender as he moved onto Tieng Tiny's pass, raced towards goal before unselfishly rolling the ball to Suhana, who took a touch to set himself and slotted in his second of the game. The visitors made three quick personnel changes but it was Borey who missed badly from nine yards after Frimpong's pass split the defence. In a rare break, Seiha kept out Sovythang Am's far post header before Sok Pheng netted Crown's 4th goal. A minute of regulation time remaining, Pheng passed to Suhana but his shot was blocked by Tea, only for the ball to be rolled into Pheng's path and he sidefooted his strike into the top corner from fifteen yards out. On the stroke of half-time, French-Khmer Thierry Bin took advantage of a cheaply-awarded free-kick 22 yards out to show his dead-ball talent, curling a beauty over the wall and into the top corner, giving Seiha no chance. In the second minute of additional time, Suhana claimed his hat-trick goal, lifting the ball high into the net from the edge of the box, just seconds after Chan Chaya had a great chance saved by the busy Tea. It was an entertaining first-half for an audience reduced by police operations outside the stadium.
Crown made six changes at half-time and the game suffered as a result. Though head coach David Booth was happy that his team didn't concede, the contest was a lot closer after the break and sub keeper Yok Ary used his feet to keep out an early chance for Am, after the striker had outpaced Vi Lika. Ten minutes into the second half and Suhana stung the hands of Tea with a vicious drive which the keeper did well to stop. On the hour, Tea again saved the day, blocking Suhana's attempt with his feet, while Ary denied a free header by Am with a Gordon Banks-like goal-line save. The final action should've seen Suhana, a constant threat, add to his tally after Borey had raced from his own half with the ball and slid it to his teammate, but his shot was somehow blocked and the second period ended goal-less, and a moral 2nd-half face-saver for the Khmer-European team against the reigning Cambodian champions.
PPCFC line-up: Seiha (Ary 46), Rady (Vanthan 46), Sovan, Tiny capt (Seyha 80), Obadin (Lika 46), Dara, Frimpong (Sothy 46), Chaya (Makara 46), Borey, Suhana, Sok Pheng (Sovanna 46). Sub not used: Chamroeun. Bookings: Tiny, Sothy. Referee: Chuop Visal.

Coach David Booth makes his point

Pre-match instructions from the coach to his starting XI

Captains Tieng Tiny (left) and Makara Tea

The Khmer-Europe XI line-up

PKR grab 3rd

The 3rd and 4th place Metfone C-League Super 4 play-off was decided this afternoon at Olympic Stadium. Despite roadblocks by police keeping some of the fans away from the match, the players managed to get through the police cordon and Preah Khan Reach, even without the 3 players sent off at the weekend and sitting in the grandstand, grabbed the 3rd spot with a 4-2 victory over the National Police. It was a hat-trick from the under-utilised Joseph Olatubosun, his third coming in injury time, and another, from the penalty spot by David Njoku that clinched the win. Both goals for the Police came from who else, Nelson Oladiji, their top scorer. Saturday will see the championship decider between NagaCorp and Boeung Ket Rubber Field, kick-off 3.30pm at Olympic, while tomorrow, Phnom Penh Crown are due to meet the touring Khmer-Europe XI at Olympic, in a friendly encounter, also at 3.30pm.

Lofty ambitions

Scott with some of India's youth players of the future

Scott O'Donell is currently working for FIFA in India, guiding that country in developing their players of the future. If the Cambodian football federation had got their act together he could've been doing the same for Cambodian football.

O'Donell Excited by Indian Potential (FIFA.com)
Scott O’Donell has a big job on his hands. Appointed in November 2011, the 45-year-old Australian is FIFA’s Technical Director of regional academies in India, a vital position in reviving Indian football in the short- and long-term and in building a competitive national side for the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup, a tournament the country is aiming to host. “I’m setting up regional training centres, which involves identifying candidates, selecting them and training the coaches,” he said, explaining his duties. “The Mumbai centre opened in May, in Bangalore the kids are arriving right now and the programmes getting under way, and we’re just about ready to get going in Kolkata.
“That means we’ll have three centres up and running this year, with five others scheduled to open next year along with the country’s first elite academy, where the national U-16 team will be based.”

O’Donell ran out for several clubs in Asia in his 16-year playing career, which ended in 2000, at which point he devoted his energies to coaching. As well as taking charge of Cambodia’s national team and being named Singapore’s coach of the year in 2003, he has worked as a FIFA instructor and a coaching course director for the AFC. Proving his ability in the process, he was then handed a new brief by FIFA, one that visibly excites him. His first task is to select young candidates for the academies. It is a vital job and not without its difficulties: “There’s talent all over India. There’s no doubt about that. The thing is you have to be able to pinpoint and find players, and that’s where the Indian states can help an awful lot. They choose the players and we come along and select the best ones. We had tried to do it all ourselves, but when we went to Kolkata 1,400 youngsters turned up. There were only three of us and it was an impossible job.”

Scouting key for success
From the off O’Donell has been trying to set up an efficient regional scouting network. “The scouting process in each state has to be effective for the academies to be a success. It takes time but I’m convinced it’s the right way.” As he went on to explain, he is pursuing more than one objective: “The first goal is to raise standards. As far as we’ve been able to see, Indian football’s weaknesses are a lack of technical skill and a low standard of play. I’ve watched youth matches and the central defenders are happy just to clear the ball, as are the goalkeepers. It’ll take time but we’re trying to put the emphasis on building play from the back and on possession, because that style of play is better suited to the size and stature of Indian players, who aren’t the biggest.”

The short-term aim is to build a competitive U-17 team for 2017. Though that deadline is only four years away, there is a very well thought-out plan in place for achieving it. “Next year we’ll have three academies with 19 players born in 1999 and two academies with 19 players born in 2000,” explained O’Donell. “The latter group could form the basis of the team that could well play in the FIFA U-17 World Cup in 2017 on home soil. After that we’ll have another four academies of players born in 2000, which will give us an even bigger pool for putting a competitive team together.” The challenges he faces are also considerable. Aside from the problem of detecting players, infrastructures and the training of coaches are two other key areas.“Take states like Goa or Mumbai, for example, where you need to have artificial pitches because you can’t play on grass at all during the monsoon season,” he commented, before explaining that there is also a need to change mindsets among coaches. “Some of the older coaches are authoritarian and frighten the youngsters, who often freeze and choose to clear the ball and not make a mistake. We want the opposite. We want young players to feel at ease, to take risks and be creative. That’s something we’ve made a point of stressing in our coaching courses.” Other obstacles include the difficulty of ascertaining players’ ages due to the fact that births are not always registered, and the near-total absence of youth players at the clubs competing in the I-League.

An ambitious Australian
Undaunted, the Australian has lofty ambitions and would ideally like his academy teams to play at least one competitive match a week, for grassroots football programmes to grow and make the work of scouts easier, and for other private academies to work together more closely. Whatever the concerns and frustrations he faces along the way, O’Donell is deriving genuine satisfaction from his job and is full of hope for the future: “It’s a real pleasure to work with young Indian players. They are disciplined, do everything you ask them to, and they listen. They really want to improve. When we started to work on the principle of keeping possession, you could see straightaway that they enjoyed it more and that they welcomed it. They learned very quickly.”

Though there is no question of him getting carried away with himself, O’Donell’s eyes start to twinkle when talk turns to the future, five years and beyond. “If India does host the U-17 World Cup, it will be a huge source of motivation for players, coaches, staff and administrators alike. It would be a great opportunity for the players, and would allow us to recruit more Indian coaches and to create better working conditions etc. It’s very exciting because it would give everyone a medium-term goal to work towards, not to mention a long-term one, because these players could well go on and form the team that will fight it out for a place at the 2022 World Cup.”

Poor advertisement

NagaCorp progress to the championship final with a 3-1 win on penalties

As is often the case, when the first match is full of blood and thunder, the follow-up game is more of a damp squib, and so it proved in the second of the Metfone C-League Super 4 play-offs this afternoon. National Police were full of it after their recent win in the Asean police cup in Vietnam whilst NagaCorp had already won the domestic league competition but were forced into the play-offs, after the FFC re-introduced this abhorrent way of deciding the destination of the championship. Early on, Police's Nelson Oladiji had somehow construed to send his header wide of the target when it looked far easier to score and teammate Srey Udom had rashly blasted against the crossbar from six yards out. In terms of real goalmouth action that was about it until eight minutes into extra time when Teab Vathanak saw his drive pushed onto the upright by Police keeper Thong Chanreaksmey and away to safety. No goals after 120 minutes. It certainly didn't inspire two of the league's leading marksmen, Oladiji and Naga's Chuon Chum to any great heights. In truth it was a dire encounter and was no advertisement for Super 4 football in the slightest. However, as we had to have a winner, the match went into a penalty shoot-out. Naga's keeper Phorn Ratana, who could easily be mistaken for a ball-boy, gave his team the headstart they wanted by saving penalties from Nuth Sinoun and Ol Ravy, while Kop Isa and Om Thavrak netted for Naga. Srey Udom finally found the net for the Police but so did Teab Vathanak. It was left to Joel Omoraka to screw his spot-kick wide and that gave Naga the excuse they needed to celebrate progression to next Saturday's final, with a 3-1 success in the penalty competition. They will meet Boeung Ket in the final. The 3rd place play-off between PKR and Police will take place on Wednesday 12 September.

National Police's recent cup luck ran out in the penalty shoot-out

Oiboh inspires the Rubbermen

Julius Oiboh (center) scared Preah Khan to death

Controversy is never far from the surface in Cambodian football. And the Metfone C-League Super 4 play-off semi-finals day was no exception. Enter last season's C-League top scorer Julius Oiboh, who has been plying his trade with Bangkok Glass' 2nd team, Rangsit FC in Thailand all season, that is until this afternoon. Thrown into the fray by Boeung Ket, in their debut season in the C-League, much to the chagrin of the other three semi-final teams, Oiboh did exactly what Boeung Ket had hoped for, literally scared Preah Khan Reach to death and aided and abetted the Rubbermen into next Saturday's championship final. He scored two memorable goals in BK's 4-1 victory after extra time, and his mere presence on the field was enough to panic PKR into challenges that left referee Tuy Vichhika with little room to manoeuvre, flashing three red cards to the Military-Police team and effectively handing the tie to the newcomers from Kompong Cham. With Oiboh's border-crossing allowed by the FFC's obliging rules but leaving many with a sour taste in the mouth, Boeung Ket had the luxury of relegating their top scorer Friday Nwakuna to the grandstand, whilst PKR chose their 2nd-string keeper and left two national team players twiddling their thumbs on the bench.
It was Preah Khan who drew first blood on 20 minutes when a Tum Saray corner wasn't cleared and David Njoku was on hand to turn the ball over the line from close in. Within six minutes, BK and Oiboh had levelled. Vichhika generously awarded the Nigerian a free-kick 25 yards out and central and the marksman's aim was straight and true as he thumped the ball into the top corner of the net. The game wasn't exactly awash with chances and only really came alive on 69 minutes when PKR's Sok Rithy was booked for a second time in the space of less than a minute for an identical offence, pulling Oiboh back as he threatened to race away wide on the left flank. Referee Vichhika was left with no choice and the red card quickly followed the second yellow. With the tie bearing little fruit by way of excitement and heading into extra time, it was seven minutes into the ten added on by Vichhika that PKR suffered their second major blow. A rash challenge out wide by Busayo Adekunjo on Oiboh, his second of the game, saw the referee reach for his top pocket and pull out a second yellow and a red card, leaving PKR in dire straits and down to nine men in extra time.
Just to add another dash of controversy to the mix, Boeung Ket took the lead in the 8th minute of the first half of extra time. From a corner, Oiboh smashed the ball into the six yard box where it struck his own player Keo Sokpheng and rebounded out to Sumaila Momoh whose low drive found the corner of the net. That triggered an angry reaction from the PKR players who claimed a handball from Sokpheng, who had been stretchered off and replaced, but the match officials were having none of it and awarded the goal. Preah Khan were on the ropes and Boeung Ket took advantage. Twenty-one minutes into extra time and Oiboh had time and space to feed substitute Hong Makara and his chip nestled in the net. A minute later and Prak Mony Udom's dangerous tackle on, you've guessed it, Oiboh, saw Vichhika brandish a straight red card. By this time he was keeping his cards in his hands rather than replace them into his pocket. PKR's Nen Sothearoth struck an upright from a free-kick, but Boeung Ket were on a roll and the mercurial Oiboh rounded off proceedings in the final minute of extra time with another of his solo wonder goals. Weaving his way past four PKR defenders and goalkeeper, he poked the ball home with the supreme confidence of a man who had just put his team into their first-ever cup final. Preah Khan's worst nightmare had come true.

The Boeung Ket starting line-up could afford to leave out top scorer Friday Nwakuna and still win 4-1

Preah Khan Reach found Boeung Ket too hot to handle, losing 4-1

Referee Tuy Vichhika in happier times with the two captains. He hadn't shown any cards at this point.

Stroll to victory

The starting XI for the Crown Academy v Civil Aviation. Back LtoR: Titchhy, Sodavid, K Chhaya, S Samnang, Baraing, Chanpolin. Front: Piphop, Ponvuthy, Muslim, T Chhaya, Sakrovy. Click to enlarge.

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy team met new opposition in the shape of the Civil Aviation U-15 youth team this morning, but the result went the same way as many of their matches, with the Academy strolling to a 9-0 victory. Even with half a dozen players sitting on the touchlines with injuries, the home team - the game was played at the RSN Stadium in Tuol Kork - passed their opponents to death, most of it one-touch, first-time short passes which frustrated the CA team throughout the game and opened up gaps at will. The game was just two minutes old when Pov Ponvuthy pounced on a goalkeeping error to open the floodgates. Five minutes later and Orn Chanpolin coolly passed his shot into the corner from the edge of the box. Within sixty seconds, Yeu Muslim touched home a low cross and was then brought down in the penalty area and Theang Chhaya stroked in the spot-kick. With only one goal from Mat Sakrovy in the second period of thirty minutes, it was left to the third half to add more goals to the scoreline. In Sodavid, Nop David, Ponvuthy and Chhuot Senteang all got on the scoresheet, whilst quite a few other chances went begging too. Mat 'Messi' Nuron, who has recently joined the Academy squad from the Army, was one of those on sick leave.

The touring Khmer-Europe XI, who've arrived in town after a 4-2 friendly defeat in Thailand against Samut-Songkhram, have had to change their plans. They were due to play against the Cambodian national team on Thursday 13 September but the FFC have cancelled that match, mainly because the national team's players are involved in a couple of Super 4 play-off matches next week. Instead, Phnom Penh Crown will fill the slot, as their final warm-up game before they head to Tajikistan on 22 September for the AFC President's Cup. The game will be played at 3.30pm at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday 13 Sept. The visitors meet a Preah Khan Reach team in another game on 11 September.

Theang Chhaya converts from the penalty spot

The Academy's newest arrival - Mat 'Messi' Nuron

Mat Sakrovy races through onto goal

The youngsters from Civil Aviation, a new opponent for the Academy team

An encouraging stalemate

The Phnom Penh Crown trio who started for Cambodia tonight. LtoR Tieng Tiny, Sos Suhana, Khim Borey

Hok Sochetra's Cambodian team must be congratulated for not conceding against an international opponent some 38 places above them in the FIFA world rankings. That in itself is no mean feat and add to that the fact that the Philippines have been in overseas training camp and are playing a glut of friendly matches, and Cambodia did pretty well in what was their first serious game in over a year. Admittedly, not too much was seen from Cambodia in an offensive capacity and Philippines held the upper hand for spells during tonight's match, but there wasn't too much to choose between the two teams and let's not forget that the Philippines are already through to the final stages of the AFF Suzuki Cup and are ranked the third best team in Southeast Asia, whilst Cambodia must play in the Suzuki Cup qualifiers next month. The game ended 0-0 in front of a sizeable crowd at Olympic Stadium tonight.
With a five-man midfield and Khim Borey playing in a withdrawn lone striker role, Cambodia began cautiously, inviting the opposition to break them down. Phil Younghusband shouldn't done exactly that on 13 minutes when Om Thavrak missed his clearing header and the former Chelsea-man fluffed his chance from fifteen yards out. Ten minutes later Jason Sabio headed powerfully against the crossbar from a corner but that was pretty much it as far as the Philippines had to offer in the first-half. With Cambodia relying on the counter-attack, Borey sent a slide-rule pass through to Sos Suhana on the half-hour but he was tackled as he was about to pull the trigger. Borey was booked for handball from the resulting corner. And that was it for obvious opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.
Three minutes on from the restart and Suhana repaid the compliment, sending Borey clear of the last defender but his hurried left-foot swinger went straight to keeper Neil Etheridge, a 1st-team squad regular with BPL team Fulham. On the hour, Etheridge boobed badly with a miss-kick but Suhana didn't react quickly enough and the goalkeeper recovered. Both teams made a series of substitutions but it was Cambodia's Sou Yaty who was the busiest goalkeeper, keeping out a couple of efforts and fisting away some high crosses. Pouring rain spoilt the spectacle for both players and fans for the final quarter and the last chance of note went to Philippines, when Patrick Reichelt evaded three defensive lunges but held his head as his low drive rebounded off the foot of the post to safety, with just two minutes to go.
I think Hok Sochetra will be pleased that his charges kept a clean sheet in his first game. If you don't concede, you don't lose. With Sou Yaty in good form and determined to punch any cross that came his way, the old guard of Thavrak and Tieng Tiny marshalled the center of defence and negated the threat posed by the Younghusband brothers. With five packing midfield, that left Borey with a tough solo job to do up front and he found it hard to hold onto the ball against a strong Philippines back-four. Sochetra will need to be more adventurous if he expects to progress through the qualifying games next month, but a goal-less draw with the fancied Philippines is a good start.
Cambodia line-up: Yaty, Pancharong, Vibol (S Pheng 94), Thavrak (Piseth 82), Tiny, Sothearath, Sopanha (S Udom 94), Suhana (Khemarin 94 ), Sokngorn (Saray 71), PM Udom (Vathanak 65), Borey (Chhoeun 84). Subs not used: Ratana, Vichet, Raksmey, Chum, Phearith, Veasna, Sothearoth. Bookings: Borey, Tiny.

The starting line-up for Cambodia. Back LtoR: PM Udom, Thavrak, Yaty, Sokngorn, Tiny, Sopanha (capt). Front: Vibol, Sothearath, Suhana, Pancharong, Borey. Click to enlarge.

Real tester

The Cambodia national team praying for a good performance against Philippines

The Cambodian national team have their first real test ahead of the upcoming AFF Suzuki Cup qualifying games in early October when they take on the visiting Philippines team, who are in the middle of what appears to be a world tour. They are literally playing everywhere and anyone ahead of their own Suzuki Cup games later this year. The match takes place at the Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh on Wednesday with a 6pm kick-off under floodlights - exactly what the fans want to see, evening matches under lights. Let's hope the lights are bright enough. The test for Hok Sochetra's team is a tough one, even on their home turf. The Philippines have been improving in giant leaps over the past couple of years since they decided on an influx of players who are plying their trade abroad. Take their goalkeeper Neil Etheridge for example. He's with Fulham in the Barclays Premier. Their federation have decided on an international approach to their training and playing, with training camps overseas and a series of friendly matches designed to pit their team against different styles of opponents. So the test for Sochetra's Cambodia line-up will be intriguing. The coach has had his squad in training boot-camp for the last few days, after holding three sessions a week for the past couple of months, and playing a glut of matches against local club opposition. Tomorrow he gets to test his formation and his tactics against a senior international opponent for the first time. His team selection will be crucial. Four Phnom Penh Crown players are in the national squad - Khim Borey, Tieng Tiny, Sos Suhana and Sok Pheng. They will rejoin their home club after tomorrow's game to prepare for the AFC President's Cup later this month.

Academy step-up

The Phnom Penh Crown U-14 Academy team lost their last game against the U-16s of Preah Khan Reach, with a late goal the only difference between the two teams back in July, so Sunday's 2-2 draw at RSN Stadium was a step in the right direction. Games between the two sides are always close, despite the two-year advantage enjoyed by the Military Police-backed team as this game proved once again. Long Phearath and Ouk Sovann scored the goals for the PPCFC Academy boys as the game ended all-square.

Three in as many days

Phnom Penh Crown triumphed in their third midweek practice match in as many days, fielding a mixed line-up of regular and squad players against Prek Pra Keila, who themselves are hoping to gain promotion back to the C-League's top flight after a season away. The game was played at Crown's RSN Stadium this afternoon and ended in a 5-0 success for the home side. Kingsley Njoku gave them a 1-goal lead by half-time, the added a second after the break and the win was rounded off with goals from Emmanuel Frimpong, Ouk Sothy and Hong Pheng. Crown line-up: Ary (Chamroeun 46), Seyha, Rady (Dara 46), Lika, Sovan, Vanthan (Rathanak 46), Henry (Frimpong 46), Sothy, Sovanna, Njoku, Makara (H Pheng 46). Crown were without their four national team players - Suhana, Tiny, Borey and Sok Pheng - who were playing a practice match against NagaCorp (Suhana scored two and Borey the other in a 3-2 national team win) and three of the squad appeared for Prek Pra.

Crown clock up 12

In their second practice game in as many days, Phnom Penh Crown gave visiting Rithysen from Kompong Chhnang the courtesy of fielding an almost full-strength line-up at the RSN Stadium this afternoon. With Crown in the middle of preparation for their AFC President's Cup excursion to Tajikistan later next month, Rithysen felt the full force of players determined to impress head coach David Booth and ended up on the wrong end of a 12-0 thrashing. Sok Pheng, in a break from training with the Cambodia national team, netted four goals in a first-half during which Crown piled on the pressure, scoring seven without reply. Khim Borey, Emmanuel Frimpong and Sos Suhana also netted before the interval. After the break, two goals in two minutes from Suhana registered his hat-trick before Hong Pheng, Chhun Sovanna and Leng Makara joined the party with more goals to take the final tally to twelve. Crown line-up: Seiha (Ary 46), Rady, Seyha (Vanthan 46), Tiny (Lika 56), Sovan, Frimpong (Sovanna 67), Suhana, Borey (Sothy 70), Chaya (Makara 60), H Pheng, S Pheng (Dara 45). Prek Pra are next to face Crown, with a third warm-up friendly in as many days, at RSN tomorrow (Thursday) at 2pm. Playing for Prek Pra will be three Crown players, Koem Sophanal, Thourng Da and Ngoy Srin, who've been loaned out to the club to help with their attempt to win back their C-League place in the upcoming Division 1A championship, to take place between 4-19 September, with ten clubs vying for the two promotion places.

Friendly neighbours

Just heard that Phnom Penh Crown have been selected by the football federation, alongside Preah Khan Reach, to take part in an invitational international football tournament in one of the southern Vietnamese provinces in late November. It's called the Binh Phuoc TV Cup 2012 - it used to be known as the Number One Cup and played between armed forces from Vietnam, Cambodia  and Laos - and will be held in the capital city of Binh Phuoc province, Dong Xoai, between 20-29 November. Last season eight teams took part, 4 from Vietnam, two amateur teams from Cambodia (Kratie and Senate FC) and a team apiece from Laos and Thailand. It appears the standard has been raised for this year's competition with two of Cambodia's best club sides nominated by the federation to participate. The Binh Phuoc province borders Kompong Cham, Kratie and Mondulkiri provinces on the Cambodian side. The timing of the tournament falls during around the period players will be reporting back for pre-season training ahead of the Hun Sen Cup, that will likely begin in January. It also coincides with the finals of the AFF Suzuki Cup, so if Cambodia manage to qualify, then Crown's national team players will not be available for selection in the friendship tournament.

A second-string Phnom Penh Crown team drew 1-1 with the Senate FC team in a practice match at RSN Stadium in the rain this afternoon. The Senate team are bidding to gain entry to the Metfone C-League by competing in the Division 1A play-offs very soon, so this was good preparation for them, and a game for some of the Crown squad players who may, or may not be making the trip to Tajikistan. The Senate opened the scoring on the half hour and Leng Makara grabbed the equaliser on 68 minutes. Crown line-up: Chamroeun, Da, Lika, Srin, Vanthan, Sophanal, Sothy, Sovanna, Chaya, Rathanak (H Pheng 60), Makara. Crown will meet Rithysen from Kompong Chhnang in another warm-up match tomorrow at RSN, kick-off at 2pm.

The National Police Commissary team, carrying the flag of Cambodia into the regional police tournament being held in Vietnam, have returned triumphant, topping the tourney with wins over the teams representing Thailand, Laos and Australia and drawing with Vietnam. Whilst the police team have been rubbing batons with lots of other policemen, the play-offs for the Metfone C-League have been held up. The semi-finals will now take place on Sunday 9 September when Boeung Ket face Preah Khan Reach at 2.30pm and NagaCorp meet the buoyant National Police at 5pm. The winners of both matches will meet in the championship final on Saturday 15 September at 3.30pm. My tip for the champions - NagaCorp.

Unconvincing winners

PPCFC line-up. Back LtoR: Frimpong, Dara, Seiha, Rady, Obadin, H Pheng. Front: Chaya, Njoku, Makara, Seyha, Sovan. Click to enlarge

Result: Phnom Penh Crown 0 Cambodia National Team 1
With the venue for this afternoon's practice match changing by the hour, a thunderstorm before the start left the Olympic Stadium pitch slippery and wet, with four Phnom Penh Crown players in the Cambodia national team squad facing their own teammates, though Tieng Tiny was sidelined with an ankle injury, leaving Khim Borey and Sos Suhana as starters and Sok Pheng on the bench. For Crown, Men Seyha came in at full-back, Leng Makara wide right and Emmanuel Frimpong in central midfield. Referee Thong Chankethya, who would become a central figure in the game's proceedings, didn't like Kingsley Njoku's complaints and flashed his yellow card just seven minutes after the start. A few minutes later and Frimpong made his intentions clear with a 30-yard free-kick that skidded inches wide of the upright. On 13 minutes Chhin Chhoeun unleashed a thunderbolt from outside the area which Samrith Seiha in the Crown goal got a hand to and turned it onto the crossbar. Pheak Rady then popped up in an offensive position and sent a long range shot fizzing wide of Um Vichet's far post. Moments later Tum Saray found space in the opposing box and brought out another super save from Seiha.
A poor first touch by Sok Sovan forced Odion Obadin to rescue his teammate's blushes by holding back Saray, which earned him a yellow card. Khim Borey also picked up a caution, when he took a dive under Seiha's lunge. On the half-hour Njoku created space but was off target with his drive. The Nigerian hit-man should've done better on 37 minutes when Frimpong's shot was deflected to his feet with the only the keeper to beat, but Vichet was big enough to keep out his hurried effort. Crown stepped up the pace and Frimpong's ferocious free-kick stung the fingertips of the young Army keeper, who did exceptionally well to turn it around the post. From Chan Chaya's corner, Obadin sent his deft header inches past the far post. With his next touch, Obadin was collared by the referee for a high foot that sent Saray sprawling and Chankethya decided it merited a yellow card, quickly followed by a red card for the Nigerian defender. With four minutes of the first half remaining, Crown were down to ten men and replaced Njoku with another defender, Vi Lika just before the half-time whistle.
With their ranks reduced, Crown went for containment after the break but fell to a sucker punch just five minutes into the second period. A free-kick from Khieu Vibol on the right flank, bounced low, evading Samrith Seiha's dive and skidded into the net. With two players standing offside in front of the keeper, the linesman correctly flagged but Chankethya ignored his assistant and Crown's claims, awarding the goal. That decision incensed Seiha who stormed off the pitch, quickly followed by his teammates. Chankethya shrugged his shoulders and left the field and it took another five minutes before Crown's players reappeared and the game resumed. Both teams made numerous substitutions as goal chances were few, with a Borey toe-poke held by Seiha and Vichet palming aside a Hong Pheng acute-angled drive, with Chim Rathanak heading a corner wide at the far post. Yok Ary replaced Seiha and was smartly down to a Sok Pheng effort and then touched wide a long range shot from Pov Phearith. Late on, Frimpong's 25-yard free-kick saw the ball stick to Vichet's gloves in a muddy goalmouth and that was the last chance of the game, with the Cambodian national team running out unconvincing winners.
PPCFC line-up v Cambodia: Seiha (Ary 75), Rady (Srin 83), Seyha (Vanthan 75), Sovan, Obadin, Dara, Frimpong, Makara (Rathanak 66), Chaya (Sovanna 66), H Pheng, Njoku (Lika 45). Subs not used: Chamroeun, Da, Sophanal, Asonibe, Sothy. Bookings: Njoku, Obadin (+ red card).
Cambodia line-up: Vichet, Pancharong, Vibol (Raksmey 72), Khemarin, Thavrak, Sothearath (Phearith 72), Sophana (Veasna 72), Chhoeun (S Pheng 64), Saray (Vathanak 64 (Chum 85)), Suhana, Borey. Booked: Borey, Phearith.

Cambodia line-up. Back LtoR: Vibol, Borey, Vichet, Sopanha, Thavrak. Front: Khemarin, Suhana, Pancharong, Chhoeun, Sothearath, Saray

Spoiler

Thong Chankethya - can't help himself

Seriously, what was the point of referee Thong Chankethya's red card for Odion Obadin this afternoon, four minutes before the half-time interval. Completely brainless. For reasons known only to himself he loves to act as the judge and jury and couldn't wait to wield his authority and enjoy a red card moment against a foreign player in Phnom Penh Crown colours. He disregarded that this was a practice match, scheduled to give both Crown and the Cambodian national team some warm-up game-time before both teams head off for important Asian cup competitions. Instead of asking the Crown coach David Booth to replace the player to allow the two teams to maintain 11-a-side, he threw commonsense out of the window and flourished his yellow and red cards in quick succession, reducing the game as a spectacle for the good-sized crowd. Despite the fact that the Cambodia team scored a goal five minutes into the second half, they then failed miserably to put Crown to the sword despite the extra advantage and will not have impressed any of the audience in the grandstand. The referee had earlier cautioned two of Crown's foreign contingent, Kingsley Njoku for complaining, after just seven minutes and Obadin for pulling an opponent after 18 minutes. He has a history of  flashing his cards, which I've commented on many times before, and his interpretation of Obadin's second challenge, a high foot on Tum Saray, was extremely harsh. As if to compound his handling of the game, he over-ruled his assistant referee when Khieu Vibol's free-kick skidded under the dive of Crown keeper Samrith Seiha, just after the break. The assistant had spotted two Cambodian shirts, Om Thavrak and Khim Borey, in the line of sight and in offside positions and flagged to inform the referee. Instead Chankethya decided to allow the goal as neither player had touched the ball, ignoring the fact that the goalkeeper's sight was obscured. This went down like a lead balloon with Seiha, who stormed off the pitch after remonstrating with the referee, quickly followed by his teammates. It took another five minutes for order to be restored with the referee announcing his assistant had made a mistake and Crown coach David Booth ordered his payers to resume the game. Two controversial incidents with Thong Chankethya firmly smack bang in the middle, as usual.

PKR down national team

Cambodia national team v PKR. Back: Vibol, Sopanha, Thavrak, Yaty, Tiny, Borey. Front: Pheng, Suhana, Sothearath, Chhoeun, Pancharong. Photo by Sabay.com

This is the starting line-up for the Cambodia national team's latest practice match, a 2-1 defeat by Preah Khan Reach yesterday afternoon. Sos Suhana gave Hok Sochetra's team a very early lead before Prak Mony Udom, back in full swing after an injury absence, levelled and Joseph Olatubosun scored the winner. PKR played three of their foreign contingent as well as Udom and Sok Rithy, both returning to their line-up after debilitating injuries and who should be knocking on the door of the national squad if they can prove their fitness to Sochetra. It was the national team's second defeat after three victories against local club sides. Four players from Phnom Penh Crown started the game. They play Phnom Penh Crown on Saturday (at Olympic Stadium) and NagaCorp next Tuesday (Olympic Stadium) in practice matches, both games starting 2pm.

League campaign ends

Sunday's opening Metfone C-League game pitted a very young and inexperienced Preah Khan Reach team, already safely in the play-offs, against a full strength Army line-up, who coasted to a 3-1 victory. Nob Tola gave the PKR boys a first-half lead but second-half strikes from Ung Dara, Chhim Chhoeurn and Pov Phearith saw the military men claim the spoils. The Metfone C-League now moves into its Super 4 play-off stage to decide the champions. Preah Khan will face Boeung Ket whilst Naga meet National Police on Sunday 9 September.

The Cambodian national team coach Hok Sochetra has made the first cut of five players from his initial 30-strong squad that has been training three times a week in preparation for the AFF Suzuki Cup in early October. They've been playing a series of friendly matches against the C-League club sides and are scheduled to meet Phnom Penh Crown at the Olympic Stadium this coming Saturday (25 Aug) at 2pm. The five to be culled from the training squad, who will go into training camp for the first two weeks of next month, followed by an overseas camp in Malaysia, are Sar Sophea (PKR), Tith Dina (Police), Sok Sovan (PPCFC), Ke Vannak (Army) and Prum Putsethy (BBU). Another five players will be released before the training camps begin.

One way traffic

The starting XI for the PPCFC Academy v Army

The Phnom Penh Crown Academy youngsters met the Army U-16s for the first time this morning and handed them a footballing lesson they won't forget in a hurry, with an 11-0 drubbing. With four players missing because of the Muslim Ramadan holiday - Baraing, Muslim, Sakrovy and new boy Nuron - and another three on the injured list, Sopheak, Rozak and Piphop, the Academy squad was  a little thin on the ground against their older opponents. Orn Chanpolin and Vat Samnang put the Crown Academy ahead in the first of three 30-minute halves. Five goals in the second half emphasized their superiority. For starters, Ouk Sovann curled in a free-kick and Sraing Titchhy rolled in a penalty after In Sodavid was tripped. Theang Chhaya fired in from 20-yards and Chhuot Senteang and Choun Chanchav also netted. For the final half, Sodavid scored twice, his second a penalty awarded for handball and Long Phearath also grabbed a brace, his second a gorgeous curling shot from distance. 11-0 and a very comprehensive destruction of the Army youngsters. Crown are looking to host an U-14 tournament in the middle of next month at their RSN Stadium with details to be confirmed. Pech Sovannaroth has left the Academy for family reasons to be replaced by U-14 national team winder Mat 'Messi' Nuron from the Army.

The line-up for the 3rd half v Army

Sraing Titchhy takes aim from the penalty spot

Coach Bouy Dary highlights his requirements

Half-time instructions from coach Dary