19-2-2016
Not at the RSN Stadium,
Phnom Penh Crown 3 - 1 Cambodian Tiger
The opening match of the new Metfone
C-League season and the champions, albeit champions who finished the last
league season in second place, against the Japanese of Cambodian Tiger.
With the new league schedule of Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings more matches
broadcast live across the Kingdom on BTV so, instead on the long trek to
north-western Phnom Penh, watching the match through the eyes of the TV camera.
Most of the crowd, particularly any
photogenic girls or dancing Barang, seem to get their faces on TV. Want to be a
star – head to the RSN Stadium.
The stars on the pitch delivered an
exciting, end-to-end and fairly competitive match. But a competitive match
which delivered the average Phnom Penh Crown scoreline from last season: a 3-1
victory.
Tiger were energetic from the start – not
looking as inept as my pre-season prediction of 7th would suggest –
and with better finishing would have a made a much closer match. Murumatsu Tomoyuki, wearing number 9, causing
the Crown right side defence problems. From one such sortie Om Tavrak heading
just wide from the subsequent corner.
However on the 16th minute Crown
took the lead as their leading light – South African Shane Booysen – curled in
an excellent free-kick from the edge of the Tiger area.
In an instant, in an
engaging first half, Tiger should have levelled – influential Soung Virak
wonderfully fed by In Vichhai chested an easy chance into the hands of Keo
Soksela. The Phnom Penh Crown goalkeeper had a good game - he quickly needed to make another save from
Tomoyuki with the rebound somehow headed over by his hapless compatriot
Tomohiro Masaki.
Booysen, whose footprint on the game was
increasing, forced a fantastic save from Hem Simay on 32 minutes – from the
subsequent corner Keo Sokngon hit the woodwork with the goalkeeper completely
beaten.
Half time 1-0 and Crown indebted to a
combination of Booysen, all the set-pieces and much of the creativity for the
home side, and the lack of a predatory killer instinct in the Tiger. Booysen
doubled the champion’s advantage on 57 minutes –a nice finish after the tiger
defence failed to clear the ball.
Tiger sub and player coach Masakazu Kihra –
one career appearance in J League One – threatened to make the match
competitive with a nice rising finish from the edge of the area. Learning technique
from their coach would benefit Tiger's attackers.
Someone needing less technical training is
Booysen. The South African’s deflected shot which, in the UK, would result in
the dubious goals committee stealing his match ball, sealing the victory.
Three points for the Champions but
encouragement for the carnivores.
Don't agree, Booysen's final shot was on target and the deflection merely helped it on its way into the net. Matchball for The Booyse.
ReplyDeleteDon't agree, Booysen's final shot was on target and the deflection merely helped it on its way into the net. Matchball for The Booyse.
ReplyDelete