The Youth Football League Comes to the End

Phnom Penh, 03 June 2011

By Sok Lak

The two last division tournaments, Under-14 and Under-17, of the Barclays Capital International Starfish Foundation (ISF) Youth League 2010/2011 season finished at Old Stadium on May 22.

There are 54 youth teams participate in 6 different divisions in the Barchays Capital International ISF Youth League this year.

In the U14's match, Maruhan Japan Bank (MJB) team met with the Preach Khan Reach (PKR) team with a 3-6 result to PKR. PKR dominated the first half and finished it 4 goals up. This did not deter the MJB team who started the second half with a fighting spirit. They clawed their way back with 3 goals but it wasn't enough and PKR managed to put two more goals in the back of the MJB net giving them the title for third place.

In the U14's finals Phnom Penh (PP) Crown and Kumar Takhmao teams fought for the trophy. It was evident from the start that the PP Crown was the stronger team but this did not deter the Kumar Takhmao team who fought until the end. The result was a deserved 5-1 to PP Crown with Pov Bunvuthy scoring 3 of the goals. PP Crown's skills and talent are a warning to the other teams to watch out next season!

The highlight of the day was by far the match for third place in the U17's division when Ccolt United met the Seasiders in a gripping battle for the title. The teams were very evenly matched but by the middle of the second half, Ccolt United were winning by one goal. This was soon to change when a penalty was lost to the Seasiders bringing the game to 3-3. Ccolt didn't wait long before striking back and edging ahead with a 4th goal but their hopes that this would be the winning goal were quickly shattered when the Seasiders mid fielder kicked the ball from the middle of the pitch into the back of the net bringing the game to an exciting penalty shootout.

The penalties resulted in 6 shots from each team but the Seasiders kicked their last ball over the net to award Ccolt third place.

In the U17's finals, PP Crown met with PKR. Unlike the U14's PP Crown's team, the U17's bid for first place wasn't as successful. Although a well fought match, PKR sailed to victory with 3 goals to PP Crown's 0.

The Barclays Capital ISF Youth League 2011/12 will start in October or November.