North Korean striker Kim Kyong-hun capitalised on a bizarre goalmouth incident to help Ministry of National Defence overcome Phnom Penh Crown 1-0 in a hard fought Metfone C-League encounter at the RSN Stadium yesterday.

Just after the hour mark, Kyong-hun was crouching for a header when Crown keeper Keo Soksela appeared to run into the North Korean, who lost his balance and hit the turf. But while still on the ground, he managed to turn the loose ball into an empty net with his left foot.

Soksela in the Crown goal had made a fine one-handed reflex save in the first half to divert a Choe Myong-ho shot.

Both Chreng Polroth and Chhin Chhoeun shot over the crossbar to ease some pressure on the Crown backline, while the defending champions rattled the Army camp a couple of times at the other end.

Away at the Olympic Stadium, NagaWorld thumped Asia Euro United 5-1, with Chhi bragging a brace, while Sovannara, Richard and Mano Rotin scored one each.

Meanwhile, Boeung Ket Angkor sent out a message of intent with a 5-1 drubbing of Cambodian Tiger FC at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday evening to maintain their lead over the hard-chasing Army.

Boeung Ket head the standings with 37 points from 14 matches, three points clear of nearest rivals Army.

Tatsuta Kazuki and Dzarma Bata scored within the first 20 minutes to give Boeung Ket a healthy first-half advantage. But Yoshihara Masato got the Tigers back into the match with a 66th-minute strike. However, Samuel Gbenga’s brace in the space of three minutes quashed any hopes of a Tiger fightback.

The hero of Cambodia’s win over Singapore last Thursday, Chan Vathanaka, who took to the pitch as a substitute in the 60th minute, scored Boeung Ket’s fifth deep into injury time. It had statistical significance for coach Prak Sovanara’s men as the 50th of their campaign, giving the side an impressive average of just under three goals per match.

Earlier on Sunday, Police recorded their third straight win, with Tith Dina’s 86th minute goal beating Cambodian Mines Action Center.