Double strikes by frontliners Chhin Chhoeun and Plong Chanthou piloted Ministry of National Defence to a 5-1 victory over National Police Commissary in their Metfone C-League tie at Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Following their controversial walk out against Phnom Penh Crown last week, the Police took the field against MND to restore a modicum of self pride. However, within the first 20 minutes the Army men had punished their sloppiness in defence, a blow from which the Police never managed to recover.

Crafty wing play from Chhin Chhoeun saw him polish off an inspiring cross from Phoung Soksana to fire MND to an 18th minute lead. Linking well with his midfield colleagues, Plong Chanthou doubled the lead minutes later and when Phong Soksana struck an opportunistic goal for MND, the Army were sitting pretty with a 3-0 cushion on the top of a down-hearted Police team.

Yet the side making their Metfone C-League debut this season found a glimmer of hope minutes before the breather when a perfectly delivered corner kick by Ol Ravy gave Man Ritavan enough space to find the net.

On resumption, Police ran into a barrage of Army attacks and, under relentless pressure from the Chanthou-Chhoeun combine, the backline crumbled yet again to allow both frontmen to complete their deserving doubles.

There were a few desperate counters from the Police but none strong enough to crack the MND resolve.

The Army’s ninth win in 15 matches brings them on par with Preah Khan Reach on 28 points, but a better goal difference gives them the third spot in the table.

Police fined, Narong banned

National Police Commissary have been hit by a US$500 fine from the Football Federation of Cambodia for their controversial walk off during the game against Crown last week.

The Police left the pitch en-masse just 20 minutes into the match in dispute of the referee’s decision to red card Touch Panhcharong. Crown substitute Phoung Narong had stormed onto the pitch to remonstrate with the Police defender, resulting in both individuals being sent off.

The Police refused to resume play, insisting their player had been unfairly punished, with the game subsequently recorded as a 5-0 victory for Crown.

FFC Spokesman May Tola said the Police team had no justification for walking out of the match, claiming it showed a total disrespect to the league. “We will not hesitate to suspend or even expel teams in future if this happens again,” he told The Post on Saturday.

May Tola also revealed that Phoung Narong has been suspended for a total run of eight matches.  

Crown close on league title

Reigning champions Crown consolidated their hold of the pole position in the Metfone C-League with another fluid display of solidity on Saturday, this time making Kirivong Sok Sen Chey pay a heavy price for their familiar fragility in defence.

David Booth’s men coasted to a 2-0 victory on the back of first half goals by Sun Sovannrithy and Kingsley Metu.

Sovannrithy’s fourth minute header off a Sun Sophana cross put Kirivong on caution, but the Takeo side’s plight worsened when Nigerian forward Metu completed a solo act for Crown’s second goal.

For the rest of the way, Crown tested and tormented the Kirivong defence, with Metu missing no less than three gilt edged chances. One such effort ended on a hilarious note, the towering striker bulging the net himself while his intended header was completely botched.

The win means Crown need six points from their remaining three fixtures to seal their title defence. However, they now face the three teams directly below them – MND on Wednesday, Preah Khan Reach on August 28 and Naga Corp on September 4.

H S Manjunath

Double strikes by frontliners Chhin Chhoeun and Plong Chanthou piloted Ministry of National Defence to a 5-1 victory over National Police Commissary in their Metfone C-League tie at Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Following their controversial walk out against Phnom Penh Crown last week, the Police took the field against MND to restore a modicum of self pride. However, within the first 20 minutes the Army men had punished their sloppiness in defence, a blow from which the Police never managed to recover.

Crafty wing play from Chhin Chhoeun saw him polish off an inspiring cross from Phoung Soksana to fire MND to an 18th minute lead. Linking well with his midfield colleagues, Plong Chanthou doubled the lead minutes later and when Phong Soksana struck an opportunistic goal for MND, the Army were sitting pretty with a 3-0 cushion on the top of a down-hearted Police team.

Yet the side making their Metfone C-League debut this season found a glimmer of hope minutes before the breather when a perfectly delivered corner kick by Ol Ravy gave Man Ritavan enough space to find the net.

On resumption, Police ran into a barrage of Army attacks and, under relentless pressure from the Chanthou-Chhoeun combine, the backline crumbled yet again to allow both frontmen to complete their deserving doubles.

There were a few desperate counters from the Police but none strong enough to crack the MND resolve.

The Army’s ninth win in 15 matches brings them on par with Preah Khan Reach on 28 points, but a better goal difference gives them the third spot in the table.

Police fined, Narong banned

National Police Commissary have been hit by a US$500 fine from the Football Federation of Cambodia for their controversial walk off during the game against Crown last week.

The Police left the pitch en-masse just 20 minutes into the match in dispute of the referee’s decision to red card Touch Panhcharong. Crown substitute Phoung Narong had stormed onto the pitch to remonstrate with the Police defender, resulting in both individuals being sent off.

The Police refused to resume play, insisting their player had been unfairly punished, with the game subsequently recorded as a 5-0 victory for Crown.

FFC Spokesman May Tola said the Police team had no justification for walking out of the match, claiming it showed a total disrespect to the league. “We will not hesitate to suspend or even expel teams in future if this happens again,” he told The Post on Saturday.

May Tola also revealed that Phoung Narong has been suspended for a total run of eight matches.  

Crown close on league title

Reigning champions Crown consolidated their hold of the pole position in the Metfone C-League with another fluid display of solidity on Saturday, this time making Kirivong Sok Sen Chey pay a heavy price for their familiar fragility in defence.

David Booth’s men coasted to a 2-0 victory on the back of first half goals by Sun Sovannrithy and Kingsley Metu.

Sovannrithy’s fourth minute header off a Sun Sophana cross put Kirivong on caution, but the Takeo side’s plight worsened when Nigerian forward Metu completed a solo act for Crown’s second goal.

For the rest of the way, Crown tested and tormented the Kirivong defence, with Metu missing no less than three gilt edged chances. One such effort ended on a hilarious note, the towering striker bulging the net himself while his intended header was completely botched.

The win means Crown need six points from their remaining three fixtures to seal their title defence. However, they now face the three teams directly below them – MND on Wednesday, Preah Khan Reach on August 28 and Naga Corp on September 4.