Oghenekevweworld: PKR claim third

PKR sitting pretty in 3rd place in the C-League

Preah Khan Reach claimed third place in the Metfone C-Leaguetable with just two matches to go, with a 2-0 win over Kirivong at Olympic Stadium this afternoon. Kirivong weren't really up to the task and PKR basically won it in second gear, though Nelson Oladiji, with more composure, could've given the Military Police-backed team a few heart flutters. He didn't and goals from Tum Saray just before the half-hour mark, with a low drive into the corner, and a close range volley from Moul Daravorn six minutes after the interval from a corner, did the damage. In the last 20 minutes Oladiji fired straight at Ouk Mic in the PKR goal and then headed over from six yards when presented with two golden opportunities.

Kirivong weren't up to the task against Preah Khan

The second game was played in torrential rain for much of the second half as the heavens opened just before the interval. By half-time Build Bright United had already gone two goals ahead against bottom club Rithysen, which came as no surprise. Prum Putsethy lobbed the ball into an empty net on ten minutes for the first of what turned out to be a hat-trick for the student's skipper. Their 2nd was more fortuitous when Chhun Sothearath's free-kick fizzed through the defensive wall and took a wicked bounce to deceive Rithysen's keeper Oum Veasna just three minutes later. On the half hour Seth Kamel rolled a shot agonizingly wide for Rithysen, and that was effectively it for the Kompong Chhnang-based club. BBU took control after the break with the help of a penalty, tucked away by Chan Veasna 7 minutes in once Putsethy had his legs swiped from under him. Two more from Putsethy, four minutes apart, completed his hat-trick haul. He finished with ease after 76 minutes and then lobbed another past Veasna soon after. In time added on BBU made it 6-0 when Seng Kosen fired in a 20 yard drive which took a deflection off defender Ly Rony.

BBU ran out easy 6-0 winners in the torrential rain

Rithysen hit another brickwall when losing 6-0 to BBU; they are the only team not to have won a game all season.

Briefly, an interesting development with the Cambodia national team is the resignation of the assistant coach Ieng Saknida, who has decided to pursue more coaching opportunities as well as his B-licence rather than stick with Lee Tae-Hoon and the squad for the forthcoming BIDC Mekong Cup and SEA Games competitions. Saknida last appeared for the national team as a player in the 2008 Suzuki Cup after long service with Samart United, Hello United, Naga, Preah Khan and Khemara before cutting his coaching teeth with the national U-13s. He's also been included in the AFC Project Future elite coaching scheme alongwith Keo Kosal, who is now assisting the U-19s. So his departure is a noticeable loss for the South Korean head coach, who is left with assistant Oum Savong, whose previous coaching experience was with local team Flying Bikes.

Police drop a clanger

Even though they walked off in their match recently, it looked like National Police were destined to do PPCrown a favour, but it never happened

I really thought the National Police team were going to do Phnom Penh Crown a big favour yesterday afternoon. A win for Police and Crown could celebrate winning the championship, without playing. As it turned out, the Police battled hard to keep Naga restricted to a few half chances in their Metfone C-Leagueencounter and when Tith Dina pulled his foot back ready to whack in a shot on 68 minutes, it looked as if they'd take a deserved lead. Instead, Tiet Chandarasokha got a block in and even though the full-back was sent off three minutes later for a second yellow card, Naga went onto win. Pretty much against the run of play, substitute Chim Sambo burst between two defenders, sidestepped another and then toe-poked home the winner six minutes from the end. Naga, with top scorer Julius Oiboh firing blanks and the rest of his teammates looking less than impressive, were more than happy to grab the points with a 1-0 win to keep the pressure on Crown. Police's Ol Ravy headed against the bar at the end of the 1st half with their best chance but it wasn't to be and Crown still need to win one of their final two matches to claim the title. Bouy Dary, Crown's assistant coach, was TVK's half-time pundit for this game.

The Naga line-up who were ineffective for much of the game v National Police

I think Police captain Sophal Udom (7) is just about to kiss the hand of Naga skipper Om Thavrak (who is not royalty despite what he says)

PPCrown's Bouy Dary (center) at pains to tell the TVK commentators that Crown still have to win 1 match from their last two games to claim the title

In the first game yesterday, both teams needed to win to stay out of the relegation places and Chhlam Samuth were the team with more to offer as Prek Pra went down without much of a fight. They both have two games left but on this form, it's Chhlam Samuth that deserve to stay up. Two goals apiece in each half for Sunday Ayodele and Ros Samoeurn did the damage with the Sea Sharks running out 4-1 winners. Ron Roya had the best opportunities for Prek Pra in the first half but Ayodele headed in unmarked on 18 minutes and Samoeurn slotted in with 27 minutes on the clock, after Ayodele unselfishly provided the pass. Ayodele netted his second just 5 minutes into the second period and then missed a sitter for his hat-trick. Samoeurn wrapped it up on 70 minutes only for Prek Pra's Mat Keilab to grab a consolation goal a minute later. On this form it's curtains for Prek Pra alongwith Rithysen at the foot of the league table.