Crown’s head coach on a defeat to Ministry of National Defense FC

Crown’s head coach on a defeat to Ministry of National Defense FC

The six-time champions of Cambodian League, Phnom Penh Crown FC, were so closed to earn another big win last weekend a week after a huge 4-0 win over the defending champions, Boeung Ket FC, but they were beaten 3-2 despite taking 2 goals lead.

Phnom Penh Crown FC scored two goals within 30 minutes in the first half, but the home team, Ministry of National Defense FC, came back from behind to secure a remarkable 3-2 win at home last weekend in Metfone Cambodian League Match-day 10.

Crown’s head coach, Oleg Starynskyi, understood that after taking two goals lead, his sides seemed to play defensive football that allowed the home team to keep their possession. He also added that the opponents played much with long balls and cross that made his boys tired in the second half. Anyway, the head coach still felt pleased as Crown obtained 6 points from their last 3 league matches against tough teams.

Oleg Starynskyi told Crown’s reporter: "We created good chances in the first-half and were rewarded with two goals, with good build-up in both cases, which we have been practicing in our training sessions.

“But leading 2-0 after 30 minutes made us unconsciously try to keep the result. We stopped pressing Army in the spaces where we should and we dropped our lines too deep.

“We expected a physical and strong game from Army, with a lot of crosses and long balls, and this type of game exhausted our resources. As a team, we need to overcome difficulties like this. It's not a matter of fitness preparation, but more psychological aspects.

“This is a good experience for our young team. For the last 3 games, we got six points with strong teams and have scored 11 goals all by Khmer players, but we need to learn how to keep a winning result."

Following a frustrating defeat, Phnom Penh Crown FC are now fifth in the league table with one point away from the fourth place, Nagaworld FC, and four points away from the league leader, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC.

Photo of Oleg Starynskyi Courtesy of PPCFC
Source: PPCFC