Learn about the history and origin of PPCFC
Phnom Penh Crown FC is an association football club based in Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, that competes in the Cambodian Premier League, the highest level of football competition in the country. It is the most successful club in Cambodia, having won a record of eight league titles, two Hun Sen Cup, two Cambodian League Cup and two Cambodian Super Cup. It is also the only Cambodian club to reach the AFC Cup group stage and the ASEAN Zonal semi-finals.
But how did Phnom Penh Crown FC become such a dominant force in Cambodian football? What is the history and origin of the club? How did it change its name and identity over the years? In this article, we will answer these questions and more, and trace the evolution of Phnom Penh Crown FC from its humble beginnings to its current glory.
The birth of Samart United (2001-2004)
The story of Phnom Penh Crown FC begins in 2001, when a new football club was founded in Phnom Penh by Samart Group, a telecommunications company owned by Thai businessman Samart Ratchapolsitte. The club was named Samart United, and it joined the Cambodian Premier League, which was then called the Samart League, as one of the eight founding members.
Samart United made an immediate impact in its debut season, winning the league title with 19 wins, 3 draws, and 2 losses, scoring 72 goals and conceding 19. The club also reached the final of the Hun Sen Cup, the national cup competition, but lost to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC on penalties. The club's star players included Thai striker Sutee Suksomkit, who scored 25 goals in the league, and Cambodian midfielder Hok Sochivorn, who was named the best player of the season.
Samart United continued to be a strong contender in the next three seasons, finishing second in 2002, third in 2003, and fourth in 2004. The club also reached the semi-finals of the Hun Sen Cup in 2002 and 2003, but failed to win the trophy. The club's main rivals were Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC, Khemara Keila FC, and Naga Corp FC, who challenged Samart United for the league title and the cup.
The highlights of Samart United era
Some of the highlights of Samart United era were:
- Winning the league title in 2001, the first season of the club and the league.
- Reaching the final of the Hun Sen Cup in 2001, losing on penalties to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC.
- Finishing second in the league in 2002, only one point behind Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC.
- Having Sutee Suksomkit as the top scorer of the league in 2001 and 2002, with 25 and 24 goals respectively.
- Having Hok Sochivorn as the best player of the league in 2001 and 2002.
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The transformation to Hello United (2005)
In 2005, Samart Kasemsant sold the club to a telecommunications company called Hello Axiata, which changed the name of the club to Hello United. The club also changed its colors to yellow and blue, and its logo to a phone. The club hoped to attract more fans and sponsors by associating itself with a popular brand.
However, the change of name and identity did not bring much success on the pitch. Hello United finished second in the league, behind Khemara Keila FC, and failed to win any trophies. The club also lost some of its key players, such as Chan Rithy and Keo Kosal, who left for other clubs.
The key players of Hello United
Some of the key players of Hello United during this period were:
- Chhin Chhoeun, who remained as the vice-captain and the best defender of the team.
- Samreth Seiha, who continued to impress as the goalkeeper and the future star of the team.
- Chan Chhaya, a winger who joined the club from Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC and became the top scorer of the team.
- Chuon Laban, a midfielder who joined the club from Khemara Keila FC and became the new captain of the team.
The rebranding to Phnom Penh United (2006)
In 2006, Hello Axiata sold the club to another businessman named Rithy Samnang, who changed the name of the club to Phnom Penh United. The club also changed its colors to red and black, and its logo to a shield. The club aimed to represent the city of Phnom Penh and to challenge for the league title.
Phnom Penh United had a decent season, finishing third in the league, behind Khemara Keila FC and Nagacorp FC, and reaching the semi-finals of the Hun Sen Cup, where they lost to Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC. The club also signed some new players, such as Chan Rithy, who returned to the club after a year with Nagacorp FC, and Hok Sochivorn, who joined from Kirivong Sok Sen Chey FC.
The key players of Phnom Penh United
Some of the key players of Phnom Penh United during this period were:
- Chan Rithy, who came back to the club and scored 15 goals in the league, becoming the second top scorer of the season.
- Hok Sochivorn, who joined the club and scored 14 goals in the league, becoming the third top scorer of the season.
- Chuon Laban, who remained as the captain and the leader of the team.
- Samreth Seiha, who improved his skills and confidence as the goalkeeper and the youngest player of the team.
The rise of Phnom Penh Empire (2007-2008)
In 2007, Rithy Samnang changed the name of the club to Phnom Penh Empire, to reflect the ambition and the glory of the club. The club also changed its colors to red and gold, and its logo to a crown. The club aimed to become the best club in Cambodia and to compete in the international stage.
Phnom Penh Empire achieved its goal, winning the league title in 2007 and 2008, and the Hun Sen Cup in 2008. The club also qualified for the AFC President's Cup, a continental competition for the clubs from the lower-ranked Asian countries, in 2008 and 2009. The club reached the semi-finals in 2008, where they lost to Dordoi-Dynamo Naryn from Kyrgyzstan, and the quarter-finals in 2009, where they lost to Regar-TadAZ Tursunzoda from Tajikistan.
The key players of Phnom Penh Empire
Some of the key players of Phnom Penh Empire during this period were:
- Chan Rithy, who scored 21 goals in the 2007 season and 19 goals in the 2008 season, winning the Golden Boot award twice.
- Hok Sochivorn, who scored 18 goals in the 2007 season and 17 goals in the 2008 season, becoming the second top scorer of the league twice.
- Chuon Laban, who remained as the captain and the playmaker of the team.
- Samreth Seiha, who became the best goalkeeper in the country and the most valuable player of the team.
The emergence of Phnom Penh Crown (2009-present)
In 2009, Rithy Samnang changed the name of the club to Phnom Penh Crown, to simplify and modernize the name and the image of the club. The club also changed its colors to red and white, and its logo to a stylized crown. The club aimed to maintain its dominance in Cambodia and to improve its performance in Asia.
Phnom Penh Crown continued to win trophies, winning the league title in 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2021, and 2022, and the Hun Sen Cup in 2009. The club also qualified for the AFC Cup, a continental competition for the clubs from the higher-ranked Asian countries, in 2017 and 2022. The club reached the play-off round in 2017, where they lost to Home United from Singapore, and the group stage in 2022, where they finished third in their group.
The key players of Phnom Penh Crown
Some of the key players of Phnom Penh Crown during this period were:
- Shane Booysen, a South African striker who joined the club in 2015 and scored 27 goals in the 2015 season, becoming the top scorer of the league and the AFC Cup.
- Orn Chanpolin, a Cambodian midfielder who joined the club in 2014 and became the captain and the heart of the team.
- Brak Thiva, a Cambodian defender who joined the club in 2010 and became the most experienced and reliable player of the team.
- Keo Soksela, a Cambodian goalkeeper who joined the club in 2016 and became the successor of Samreth Seiha and the best goalkeeper in the country.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Phnom Penh Crown FC is a club with a rich and fascinating history and origin, that has gone through several changes and transformations over the years. From Samart United to Hello United, from Phnom Penh United to Phnom Penh Empire, and finally to Phnom Penh Crown, the club has always strived to achieve excellence and glory in Cambodian football and beyond. The club has also produced and attracted some of the best players in the country and the region, who have contributed to the success and the legacy of the club.
FAQs
Who is the owner and the manager of Phnom Penh Crown FC?
The Chairwoman of Phnom Penh Crown FC is Phu Cherlin. It is Rithy Samnang, who bought the club in 2006 and has been the president of the club before. The manager of Phnom Penh Crown FC is Keo Sokngon. The ukrenian coach, Oleg Starynskyi, who joined the club in 2016 and has led the club to win the 2021 C-League, the 2022 Cambodian Super Cup winner, the 2022 Cambodian League Cup winner and 2022 Cambodian Premier League winner.
Where is the home ground of Phnom Penh Crown FC?
The home ground of Phnom Penh Crown FC is the RSN Stadium, which is located in Tuol Kork district, Phnom Penh. The stadium has a capacity of 5,000 spectators and has a natural grass pitch. The stadium was built in 2009 and was named after the initials of the owner, Rithy Samnang.
What are the nicknames and the rivals of Phnom Penh Crown FC?
The nicknames of Phnom Penh Crown FC are Red Singha, which means red lion in Khmer, and The Crown, which refers to the logo and the name of the club. The rivals of Phnom Penh Crown FC are Nagaworld FC, Boeung Ket FC, and Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC, who are also among the top clubs in Cambodia and have contested for the league title and the cup trophies with Phnom Penh Crown FC.
How can I follow and support Phnom Penh Crown FC?
You can follow and support Phnom Penh Crown FC by visiting their official website, [www.ppcfc.com], or their official mobile app, which you can download from the [Google Play Store] or the [App Store]. You can also follow their social media accounts on [Facebook], [Twitter], [Instagram], and [YouTube]. You can also buy their tickets and merchandise online or offline, as explained in the previous article.
How can I join the academy or the youth team of Phnom Penh Crown FC?
If you are a young and talented football player who wants to join the academy or the youth team of Phnom Penh Crown FC, you can apply online by filling out the form on the website, [www.ppcfc.com/academy], or by sending an email to [academy@ppcfc.com]. You can also visit the RSN Stadium and talk to the staff or the coaches of the club. You will have to undergo a trial and an assessment before being accepted into the academy or the youth team.