Ministry of National Defence and Western University played out a 1-1 draw in a Metfone C-League tie at the Olympic Stadium yesterday after both the matches on Saturday had also failed to produce winning outcomes.

Battling hard to climb out of the drop zone, Western University could not capitalise on the 30th-minute lead Men Seyha gave them as Phoung Soksana levelled the score before the breather for the Armymen.

Both sides desperately twigged for a decisive break in the second half only to come up short.

National Police Commissary pulled off a surprise of sorts when they held 2013 runners-up Boeung Ket Rubber Field to a goalless draw in Saturday’s first fixture at Olympic Stadium.

The Kampong Cham-based side, parked nicely in second slot behind the league leaders Phnom Penh Crown, could make no real headway against the Police who were bent on matching strides with the 2012 champions.

Both handled pressure points in their own stoic ways. Though there was no dearth of goal mouth action, neither could make a move that mattered.

Later on Saturday, bottom enders Albirex Niigata played well above themselves to engage fellow league debutants TriAsia in a 1-1 draw. Chan Rithy took TriAsia to the front in the 26th minute but it didn’t take long for Albirex to restore parity. With just one win from their 13 matches, the draw is a huge relief for Albirex coming as it does on the top of 11 defeats.