Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

Preah Khan Reach’s Sok Chanrasmey attempts to drive past Build Bright United’s In Virak during their Metfone C-League match yesterday.

MND 1 Phnom Penh Crown 1

Phnom Penh Crown resolutely turned round a possible defeat into an honourable 1-1 draw against National Defence Ministry in their Metfone C-League clash at Olympic Stadium yesterday. Villified last week for their first loss of the season to Kirivong Sok Sen Chey, Crown had their wounded pride given another jolt.

The Army men, who had beaten Crown in the Samdech Hun Sen Cup final earlier in the year, desperately clung to their first half-goal scored in time added on by Chhin Chhoeurn. However, three minutes from the full- time whistle, Keo Sokngorn banged home a thoughtful forward pass from Uche Prince Justine to restore parity for Crown.

MND held Crown on a tight leash for the best part of the first half. The usually bristling Nigerian striker Justine had his track well-covered most of the time, with Crown granted limited space to operate. Control of the midpark sided with the Army, with a secure back four holding any Crown advance and allowing their marauding forwards to work freely up front.

MND grabbed the early initiative with several probing runs, but it was Crown who came closest when Keo Sokngorn dashed across to meet a cross right in front of the sticks. The move ended in a painful exit for MND goalkeeper Samrith Seiha, when contact with the Crown attacker injured his leg. Sou Yaty took charge and proved his mettle with several good saves, particularly during a tense second half.

Crown upped the ante in the second session, with one blistering move seeing Justine and Sokngorn fire shots in quick succession.

A scything tackle on Phuong Narong by MND enforcer Om Thavarak was penalised with a red card. With time ticking away, the sense of urgency in the Crown ranks drove them forward and eventually brought the much sought after equaliser.

The result confirmed Naga Corp as first-place finishers ahead of the Super 4 playoffs, with Crown nearly certain to make the cut as well.

Preah Khan Reach 2 BBU 2

An injury-time equaliser helped Build Bright United force a 2-2 draw against Preah Khan Reach in the later match yesterday.

The University-backed team have lurked in the shadows for the best part of the season, while the military police side PKR have successfully pursued a plan of consolidation.

Captain Sam El Nasa squandered a penalty for PKR early in the game, but that was soon put behind them. Latching on to a midfield pass in the 30th minute, Khuonla Boravy threaded his way into the BBU box and capped his solo run with a calm finish.

After the change of ends, PKR found another fruitful strike when Sam El Nasa sweetly met a Boravy pass.

With their counterattacks bringing little, BBU began to crowd the PKR area. They pulled one back through Oum Chandara, who chased a through pass and slotted home.

After both sides had taken potshots at each other, a final surge by BBU dramatically secured a share of the spoils. Prum Puthsethy was brought down inside the area by substitute Moul Daravurn, and the resultant penalty was banged in by the in form Nuth Sinuon with barely a minute of injury time left to play.