Pheak Rady (blue) of National Defence and Esoh Omogba of Naga Corp fight an aerial battle. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

TALISMANIC striker Julius Oiboh booted home another brace of quality goals to keep Naga Corp in the hunt for Metfone C League honours as the former champions easily got the measure of National Defence Ministry at  the Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

The 4-1 victory brought Naga within striking range of league-toppers Phnom Penh Crown, but at the end of the day coach Prak Sovanara  could only keep his fingers crossed in the fond hope that Crown dropped a point or three to Preah Khan Reach.

“The best-case scenario for us is for PKR to win or draw against Crown tomorrow,” Prak Sovanara said after the match.

Although a Crown victory will slam the door on Naga and take the sting out of their September 4 clash with the champions, any other result would keep their chances alive of retaining the title they last won in 2009.

Oiboh, who took his goal tally to 27, was again the man with the Midas touch for Naga as he opened the scoring in the 14th minute and kept the MND defence on their toes for a considerable time before returning to his familiar goal-scoring ways in the 65th minute to complete another grand double.

African import Esoh Omogba was on the mark for Naga just before half time and Teab Vathanak got going late in the game to keep the scoreboard ticking.

After being frustrated by the Naga defence on many of their counters, MND found a consolation goal through Meak Chhordaravuth in the 55th minute.

The loss was a clear setback for MND in their efforts to finish higher than third.

Rithy Sen hit for six

LIFE in the top flight has been a tormenting experience for Rithy Sen.

The provincial side was dumped 1-6 by Kirivong Sok Sen Chey on Saturday, sending the relegation certainties crashing to their 15th loss in the championship.

Heng Kimhong’s double strike formed an ideal plank for Kirivong to build on as Nelson Oladiji, In Vicheka, Ek Vannak and Chheng Yang added  their names on the score sheet.

The victory boosted Kiri-vong’s chances of finishing higher than sixth in the standings.

Rithy Sen’s only goal came from Ly Vina, which meant the team from Kampong Chhanang could muster only 12 goals in 17 matches, while generously giving away as many as 85.

Rithy Sen is also heading towards the dubious distinction of logging the lowest number of points by any premier league side in history. That record is held by Chhama Kamao, who finished the 2010 league with four points.

Rithy Sen are  on two points and, unless they produce a miracle and win their last match against Preah Khan Reach next Wednesday, they will long be remembered as the deepest end of the league.