Relishing their four-game winning streak that has seen them go top of the Metfone C-League, the Ministry of National Defence square off against title holders Phnom Penh Crown in Saturday’s key contest at the Old Stadium before the season takes its Khmer New Year break until the end of this month.

Fresh from their 2-1 win over Boeung Ket Angkor last week, MND team morale has never been higher, and consolidation is surely the buzzword in the Army camp.

Now in the early stages of team restructuring under head coach Oriol Mohadeno, the six-time champs have lost some early ground, but as their fighting draw against Western and midweek’s subsequent big win in the Cup indicate, Crown should never be taken lightly by their rivals.

The induction into the front line this season of North Korean sharpshooters Kim Kyong-hun and Myong Ho-choe has dramatically changed the Army team dynamic, which has already troubled the resolve of some leading sides, Boeung Ket Angkor being just one of their recent victims.

After their decidedly colourless show against Crown in the cup, Western play host to Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, who are currently second in the league standings following their home win against NagaWorld.

For CMAC, National Police could prove too hot to handle in Sunday’s other 3.30pm fixture.

Sunday’s evening game sees Cambodian Tiger and Boeung Ket Angkor lock horns. While the Tigers were pleased to end run of disappointing results with a win over CMAC, Boeung Ket will be anxious to rebound from the narrow loss to the Armymen.