Five-time champions Phnom Penh Crown worked up a huge advantage in the Metfone C League title playoff after winning the first leg 2-0 against NagaWorld at the Olympic Stadium yesterday evening.

Crown’s leading scorers this season Bisan George and Shane Booysen knocked in a goal each during a dominant second half to give coach Sam Schweingruber’s side a healthy cushion ahead of the second leg at the same venue on December 12.

After holding their own in a first half of even chances, during which Barry Lelouma had a couple of nice attempts, Naga were driven to despair once Bisan George’s clever header in the 55th minute off a flag kick swung the momentum Crown’s way.

While Naga back line was beginning to feel the heat, defender Om Thavarak and Bisan George had some sort of a run in, that led to both players being booked.

Minutes after this incident, however, Om Thavarak was booked again this time for a dangerous tackle on a fast advancing Shane Booysen, inevitably forcing the Naga defender out of the game.

Down to 10 men and growing desperate by the minute, Naga were exposed to several sharp attacks.

Though Crown’s threats from Bisan George, Shane Booysen and Sodavid produced no further goals but only near misses, they were good enough to pin down their rivals.

Advantage Boeung Ket

In a seven-goal thriller, League toppers Boeung Ket Angkor bounced back from a two goal arrears to beat Cambodian Tiger FC 4-3 in the first leg of the third-place playoff at the Olympic Stadium yesterday.

Privat Mbarga and Soung Virak combine gave the Tigers a solid start in the first 30 minutes of the game. But national striker Khuon Laboravy set in motion the recovery process with a 38th minute strike.

The 2012 Champions Boeung Ket, who were knocked out in the semis by NagaWorld, levelled the scores in the 53rd minute through Sok Sovan,

Yuya Wada took Boeung Ket to the front in the 69th minute before Chan Vathanaka rammed home a penalty kick to make it 4-2.

In a dramatic finish to the regulation time, Privat scored his second goal to leave the Tigers with a fighting chance in the final leg.