Rithy Sen’s Ly Toman (right) jumps into a challenge with Phnom Penh Crown’s Chan Dara during their Metfone C-League match at Olympic Stadium on Saturday. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

Leaving behind their frustrating first-leg experiences, Build Bright United made a resounding start to the second phase of the Metfone C-League with a 3-0 victory over National Defence Ministry at Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

With three of their trusted defenders out on suspensions and star striker Nuth Sinoun switching camps to Naga Corp, the university-backed side had to lean heavily on Pich Sina to deliver the goods – and the striker obligingly produced a timely brace.

Nagged by errors in the backline, including a complete lack of understanding between deep defender Pheak Rady and goalkeeper Oum Vichet, who both feature in the national team, serious cracks appeared in the Army defence.

BBU went ahead in the 18th minute when Pich Sina stormed in to score. The striker was back to bolster the side’s lead late in the second half.

Oum Chandara then put the game beyond MND with a 73rd-minute strike to give BBU a handsome victory.

Crown toy with Rithy Sen

It was a total mismatch on all fronts when table-topping Phnom Penh Crown inflicted a 5-0 drubbing on tailenders Rithy Sen in Saturday’s late kick off.

Crown’s Japanese signing, Takahito Ota, opened the floodgates in the 16th minute. Suong Virak doubled Crown’s  lead five minutes later, and defender Tieng Tiny stepped in to convert a penalty to ensure that the side crossed over with a healthy 3-0 advantage at the break.

Though the league debutants from Kampong Chhnang put up a stiffer fight in the second session, they ended up conceding two more goals.

Thul Sothearith knocked home a spotkick in the 70th minute, with Sok Pheng rounding off the tally seven minutes before regulation time.

Rithy Sen had chances to score through Nigerian striker Raymond Esin, but he spurned them with less than elegant finishing.

Crown, who with more accuracy could have seen the score reach double figures, consolidated their posit-ion at the league summit.