Seven goal thriller in AFC Cup Play-Off

AFC Cup Play-Off: Phnom Penh Crown 3 – Home United FC 4

Phnom Penh Crown left themselves a difficult, but not completely impossible, task to qualify for the AFC Cup Group Stages following an entertaining match at the RSN. A defeat by the odd goal in 7 to Home United as the five-times Cambodian champions were left ruing a comical own-goal from the hapless Japanese defender Chiharu Kosuge. The 4-3 defeat that means a two goal victory in Singapore will be needed to progress.

Crown were not overawed by the S League side and looked, at times, both sharper and more effective than the side from the island republic. But the defense let the home team down and, again, a series of excellent saves by Keo Soksella, possibly the best goalkeeper in Cambodia currently, were required.

In the opening stages both teams number 10s were influential operating down the flank in front of the main stand. Keo Sokpeng, his hair almost channeling Valderama, looking dangerous for Crown whilst the Singapore international Fairs Ramli (two international goals versus Cambodia) the best player for Home United. And it was former wunder-kid Faris who created the momentum for Home with two goals in the space of two minutes around the half hour mark. A penalty converted followed by a lovely finish after a good through ball from midfield. But Crown always looked like scoring and the less hapless of the Japanese pair striker Futa Nakamura, who looked busy throughout and had struck the post with the match goalless, scored on the brink of half-time.

The game could then have gone either way before Keystone Kops Kalamity struck Kosuge. An own goal he probably could not repeat in training. And an error magnified by the two excellent Crown goals which kept them in the game. Both heavily involved Shane Booysen who is Back. A mazy run and a nice pass to Keo Sokngoun and a fantastic finish from the edge of the area. Booysen then scored Crown’s third with a wonderful direct free kick.

So positives for Crown ahead of the new season and an outside chance of qualification if Booysen can light up Singapore. 

Asia’s best show their class at the RSN

Phnom Penh Crown 0 – Buriarm United 6

RSN Stadium 18^th Jan 2017

Buriarm. Where they speak Khmer but it sounds just like drunk Glaswegian.

But home to, perhaps, South East Asia’s biggest and most successful football club. A club which, whilst it’s origin may be anathema to British fans raised on football clubs as immovable objects, represents a region, a culture, and the Red Shirts vs the Yellows. And success. Four Thai League titles in the past six years and one of ASEAN’s most dominant teams.

At a packed RSN Stadium this dominance was demonstrated with an apologetically insolent performance. A six nil score line and a display of the relative power of Thai vs Cambodian football. Yet Phnom Penh Crown, who should be applauded for both organizing such a match and ensuring the gate receipts went to charity, were not disgraced.

The star of the show the Berbatov-esque Diogo. A Brazilian previously linked to Arsenal, Liverpool and Fiorentina and with a track-record of goals in Greece with the county’s biggest club Olympiacos. A flat-track bully in Asia – 41 goals in 43 matches in Thailand top division. He only played 45 minutes but scored twice – the first a stunning long range curling precision effort hit with the ease of someone on a riverside promenade. The differential in size and strength between Buriarm and Crown players was striking – a crouching Diogo appeared taller than both of Crown's full-backs.

Nevertheless the home team were not disgraced and a number of positives can be drawn for the upcoming season. Keo Soksela in goal was superb – a number of excellent saves and showing an impressively improved command of his penalty area. Though dimunitive in size the full-backs, the talented Suet Baraing and Suon Neut, worked hard and against less physically demanding opposition will excel. When #10 Keo Sokpheng moved forward, as opposed to dropping deep into midfield, he showed his talent and ability to create.

However it will be the foreign players who will make the difference in the upcoming season and here both reasons for cheer and concern. Shane Booysen was probably the best player in the league two years ago when Crown when the title – a serious injury latter he is back, probably still too good for the Cambodian league, and showing both energy and innovation. An attempted lob of the Buriarm keeper early in the second half came close for Crown. He will score 20+ goals this season for Phnom Penh Crown. 

However on first impressions Ukrainian attacking midfielders Ordnskyi offers little beyond hard-work and willing running and Japanese striker Futa Nakamura may be docked wages for sending his best chance over the stand and into the marshes surrounding the RSN. 

A final word on the motorbike parking.

Shit.

Nothing says Fuck Off to the common man, who make up the majority of Crown's supporters, than the acres given over to cars - who can role up 5 mins before a game and find easier parking - and the total lack of organisation and forethought regarding motorbikes. Getting close to  Black Hole of Calcutta / Koh Pich Crush proportions. A bit of planning, thought and more than 2 people and entrances would sort this out. Hope it is prior to the big AFC cup match at the end of the month.