Sunday, July 26, 2009

Mixed bag part two

Turning everyone's heads today, the 'peanut princess' is back by popular demand
Ikenwa Ekene Michael earned Preah Khan a share of the spoils today
Sunday's football was a mixed bag. The top of the table clash in the Cambodian Premier League was devoid of the intensity and artistry you might expect from the top two teams, but the effort was there and the 1-1 result was a fair reflection of neither team's superiority. In the first match however, we had a bit of everything and six goals is exactly the type of entertainment the crowd at Olympic Stadium want to see. For starters, we had the Spark versus Kirivong clash and Kirivong's failure to hold onto their 3-1 lead said as much about their season as it did this particular game. They started brightly this campaign but have fallen away badly, as they did against Spark this afternoon. Goals from Julius Chukwumeka and recent Vietnamese import Vin Nhek Troeung nosed them ahead, only for Justine Prince to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time. Chukwumeka then accepted a gift from the Spark keeper to make it 3-1 but Spark refused to lay down and roll over, with Than Rachana Udom's volley and a penalty by Prince, complete with a double backward somersault, ensuring they got a share of the spoils, and the fans got to see some goals.
For the top versus 2nd clash, Preah Khan Reach were looking to complete the double over Crown, who have climbed the table steadily and now lie just a point behind the long-time leaders. As it was, 1-1 was the final result and for all their probing and testing of each other, the match wasn't a classic, but when there's a lot at stake, that's often the case. The skies darkened and the rains came just as they kicked off and the teams played out a pretty forgettable first-half. After the break, it was Crown who drew first blood when Tieng Tiny’s goal-bound shot took a deflection off a defender and looped into the net. A scrappy goal summed up the game so far. As in yesterday's match, the referee then took a hand in proceedings by sending off Crown's Phuong Narong for bugger all. Moments later Preah Khan equalised when Khoun Laboravy's inch-perfect cross was slammed home by another recent import from Vietnam, Ikenwa Ekene Michael and the game ended all square. Just a quick word about the 'peanut princess' who was in a figure-hugging yellow outfit today and turned everyone's heads, not just mine.
Preah Khan Reach line up before today's top of the table clash
Phnom Penh Crown hoping to dislodge PKR at the top
The two captains share a joke as the teams enter the playing arena
Kirivong's recent Vietnamese import, Vin Nhek Troeung, opened his scoring account
Spark came back from the dead to draw 3-3 this afternoon
Kirivong gave Spark an early Christmas gift after leading 3-1
Eyes on the coin gentlemen please, one of today's best toss-ups
The storm cloud on the right is just about to hover over the stadium and bring us some rain

Labels:

16 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Andy,
"a thing of beauty
is a joy forever"
Many thanks for reconsidering!!! - Dexter

July 27, 2009 12:23 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I wondered what sort of scruple held you back from showing the PP for a few days! Then, I hit it: it was only a means of creating suspense... I can't think of any other explanation. Unless you've overreacted like a Westerner, fearing you were "abusing" someone else's image... Thank Brahma Eastern people have no such thing, they don't see themselves as islands of individuality like us Westerners. In some European countries you are not even supposed to talk to strangers on the streets, they take it as an offense, an assault on the perimeter of their precious selves. Poor world... - Ted

July 27, 2009 12:45 AM  
Anonymous tycho said...

she looks gorgeous as ever! pls feature an interview with her (& husband) - Tycho

July 27, 2009 3:03 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

andy, do u wake up in the middle of the night to check your blog? - blog-maniac Candice, Forth Worth TX

July 27, 2009 3:15 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bong, is true Frensh tourist are no good of all in global world? my impression same same, I start work in motodriver and guide to Sambo, Prasat Bakan and Prah Vihara - thank you show my email, Sothi KT

July 27, 2009 3:27 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

love yr soccer blogs - Hendrik

July 27, 2009 3:32 AM  
Blogger mythicaldude said...

Oh man, the peanut princes may actually spark my interest in sports.

July 27, 2009 7:41 AM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

WAO!!! This time she is the real princess. I follow your story.

July 27, 2009 8:27 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

You guys make me smile.
I'm not sure an interview will be possible. Can you imagine how I would approach the topic..."err, excuse me miss, I have a blog and I have been taking some photos of you and I've called you the peanut princess....." Interview, no chance, slap across my face, most likely.

Ted, I can't help being a Westerner and overreacting - its what we do :-)

A note of caution: Don't expect a photo of the peanut pincess every week.
Andy

July 27, 2009 9:21 AM  
Anonymous Axel Nordqvist said...

Dear Mr. Brouwer,
my question is at variance with other posts shown here as well as with the subject of your original blog, and I hope I won't spoil what seems to be an animated insiders' only exchange: How could I get updated info on which temples, or parts of them, in Cambodia at large and/or in the Great Angkor complex, are presently undergoing works and closed for visits? Thank you, very much, for your attention.
Best Regards - Axel Nordqvist

July 27, 2009 9:52 AM  
Anonymous Eric said...

While everybody is talking about the 'famous' peanut girl...(and why not), your last shot of the clouds coming in is fantastic...

July 27, 2009 10:27 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

Dear Axel,
you can ask me about which temples are currently receiving restoration work, such as Baphuon, Angkor Wat, Banteay Chhmar and Sambor Prei Kuk and so on. As far as I am aware none of the temples are fully closed or off-limits, though visiting parts of certain temples is not possible, such as the upper level of Angkor Wat.

Or you can visit the Apsara Authority website at:
http://www.autoriteapsara.org/index.html

Regards,
Andy

July 27, 2009 10:28 AM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

Eric,
your fascination with clouds/the sky is rubbing off on me :-)
Andy

July 27, 2009 11:39 AM  
Anonymous Axel Nordqvist said...

Dear Mr. Brouwer,
Thank you, very much, for your reply. I appreciate reading your blogs.
Best Regards, Axel

July 27, 2009 7:38 PM  
Anonymous Rod said...

Bringing the Peanut Princess to the spotlight was a very well orchestrated move by the strong anti-soccer faction of your readership. They've got what they wanted and you've fall like a duck: there are 14 comments in this page and none related to the topic!
They even dared to suggest you interviewing the "bait"... Shame! I hope you'll put to practice your note of caution and, from now on, post only comments strictly related to the subject. Rodney Luke

July 28, 2009 11:20 PM  
Blogger Andy Brouwer said...

Rodney,
do you see a conspiracy in everything? I try not to or else my life will become pretty miserable. Instead I'm a sucker for a pretty girl and the 'peanut princess' fits that bill nicely.
Andy

July 29, 2009 12:13 AM  

Post a Comment

<< Home