Weekend action sees sides try to get a grip

Friday, 29 April 2011 15:00

Ung Chamroeun

Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

National Defence Ministry’s Sin Dalin slides in to challenge Naga Corp’s Samuel Oseika during their league match last June.

Preah Khan Reach v Kirivong Sok Sen Chey
Saturday April 30 – 2pm
Coach Rith Dikar of Preah Khan Reach is hoping to avoid the ignominy of a third successive draw. Striker Khoun Laboravy, who claimed the Golden Boot award during their triumphant Hun Sen Cup run earlier this year, has been on the scoresheet in his last six appearances for the military police team and will be the key target man in attack tomorrow.

PKR also boast young and talented midfielders in Chea Samnang, Suon Veasna and Phany I Rotha, who should pile on the pressure on their Takeo based opponents.

Meanwhile Kirivong, who lost 1-0 to National Defence Ministry before Khmer New Year, will look to get back to winning ways. Vietnamese coach Nguyen Chau Hong will throw the lofty trio of Meak Chhordaravuth, In Vichheka and Nigerian Nelson Oladiji up front.

Last season, PKR won both their meetings with Kirivong 1-0.

National Police Commissary v Build Bright United
Saturday April 30 – 4pm
National Police Commissary were not content with a 0-0 stalemate against Prek Pra Keila last time out. Samuth Dalin, Sophal Udom and Long Nasy have threatened to find the net but need to find their finishing touch.

Hun Sen Cup runners-up Build Bright United have started the season with a disappointing one point from two games. Veteran forward Nuth Sinoun is suspended, so coach Meas Sam Oeurn will use Heng Sokly, Prom Puthsethy and Oum Chandara to carve out an offense.

Naga Corp v National Defence Ministry
Sunday May 1 – 2pm
Prak Sovannara claims it is high time for his Naga side to register a victory after a loss and draw in the league so far. The former national team coach has revealed he will introduce two new Nigerian players in his line-up this weekend.

U23 national team winger Nov ‘Chaly’ Soseila joined the casino backed club during the off-season last year, but a failure to resolve a transfer dispute via the Football Federation of Cambodia has seen him kept on the sidelines for the entire Hun Sen Cup and will not feature against his former club on Sunday.

The Army team are set to reclaim top spot in the league if they can take all three points off Naga. Striker Plong Chanthou and defender Thong Udom are in fine form with both having already bagged three goals from their opening rounds.

Naga held the edge over MND during last year’s campaign, with two wins and a draw including a 1-0 victory in the third place decider of the Super 4 playoffs.

Phnom Penh Crown v Prek Pra Keila
Sunday May 1 – 4pm
Phnom Penh Crown coach Bojan Hodak will expect his side to conjure up more goals after their 9-0 demolition of Rithy Sen last time out. However, defender Sun Sovannarithy will continue his absence due to a knee injury.

Prek Pra Keila, led by Nigerian coach Jack Tonye Charles, have proved their technical abilities with a neat short game. Skipper Khin Voeurn and Nigerian Philip Ali are likely to cause problems in the Crown ranks.

Crown won both their encounters last season, as well as a friendly in February.