Phnom Penh Crown Academy went down fighting in their concluding Asia U16 Champions Trophy Group B game on Monday, losing 1-0 to hosts and last year’s winners Chonburi FC.

Substitute Theeraphat Niyomrit headed in the game’s only goal for the Thai team just after the half hour mark, with the keep-ers at both ends tested on num-erous occasions.

“The boys did really well in terms of defending, creating chances,” Crown coach Bouy Dary was quoted as saying on the club’s Facebook page. “We didn’t score, but we played good foot-ball, especially in the second half.”

The Cambodians, who were beaten 8-3 at home by Chonburi last week, exit the competition as a proud third from the group with 13 points.

Chonburi edged Frenz United Malaysia by a point to top the table, and progress to face Group A runners up Harimau Muda of Malaysia on August 10. Frenz United will play PVF Vietnam on August 9 in the other semifinal first leg.