Build Bright United’s tottering campaign got a timely boost after the university-backed side grimly held on to a 25th minute strike by Ny Chinan to beat Kirivong Sok Sen Chey 1-0 in their Metfone C-League tie at the Olympic Stadium yesterday.

In the rain splattered contest which kicked off later, Ministry of National Defence punished Chhlam Samuth’s sloppy defending with a 5-2 victory.

The all important goal for BBU came minutes after Om Chandara had bungled a spotkick that team-mate Pich Sina had earned following Kirivong captain In Vicheka’s crude attempt to stop him in the box.

An opportunistic Ny Chinan was presented with the task of making the simplest of volleys from close range after tricky play by the BBU forwards had created confusion in the Kirivong box.

The visitors from Takeo almost immediately sighted an equaliser but Egyptian Rada Badry overcooked his lob into an open net 20 yards out with the back line scattered and goalkeeper Heng Simay out of his charge.

Kirivong managed to break up a few intricate BBU moves but their own counter thrusts produced little cheer.

Kirivong’s foreign trio did cause a few ripples in the BBU area, but their finishing never quite matched their good approach work.

In the 82-minute, Kirivong’s Heng Kim Houng was red carded for lashing out with his leg at BBU’s Ouk Serey Ratanak.

The narrow loss came as a disappointment for Kirivong, who had overturned their shock 4-0 loss to Chhlam Samut with a solid win over Crown before holding current table toppers Naga Corp to a 1-1 draw in their last two outings.

This was Kirivong’s fourth loss on the top of two wins and a draw while BBU completed their third win having lost the other five of their eight games.

In yesterday’s second game, it took some 15 minutes of incisive play for the Army men to ensure statistical proof for their fluidity upfront.

A stunning cross from Chhin Chhun made a huge dent in the Chhlam Samut box, enabling Plong Chanthou to come up with an open header.

But within the next five minutes, George Bisan had taken a magical route round a couple of defenders to unlock the MND defence and make things all square.

But little did the Sea Sharks realise then that Chhin Chhun would be out to destroy their defence a few more times.

Another well-delivered cross from the corner flag set up Khek Khemrin from the top of the box, and the next special Chhin Chun run right across the goal-mouth forced Chhlam Samut defender Chhim Bun San to hastily clear the ball into his own net.

Bisan infused some hope for the Sea Sharks with an early strike on resumption, but Pom Tola’s curling freekick from downtown and substitute Pov Phearin’s fierce strike were two bitter pills for Chhlam Samut to swallow.

On the top of all these troubles came that second yellow card booking on Chan Pich Chealy and his 60th minute exit spelled curtains for the Sharks, who were lucky that MND came up short on a few more promising goal attempts.

This was the Army team’s second win in seven games, having drawn four and lost one, which saw them move up to sixth in the standings.

Chhlam Samut were dealt their seventh loss with just one win to their credit.

To contact the reporter on this story: H S Manjunath at [email protected]