Ahead of Wednesday’s grudge game against Preah Khan Svay Rieng in the first leg of the Hun Sen Cup quarter-finals, Ministry of National defence bolstered morale with a sensational 2-0 win over league leaders Boeung Ket last Friday evening adding an exciting dynamic to the season.

The Army-Boeung Ket clash was brought forward, along with the Naga-Crown duel, as the rest of the field sat out the election weekend – and what a nightmare it turned out to be for the defending champions.

The team’s 15-week unbeaten run was shattered by first half goals from a Chhin Chhoeun header and a tidy finish from Jae Yoo-ho, and after that strong start Army got down to their trenches and stoically guarded their advantage in a second half of desperation for Boeung Ket.

it may not be the kind of team psyche Boeung Ket would be happy with as they gear up to face NagaWorld in their quarterfinal on Wednesday in search of their maiden Cup success.

While advancing their own cause, Army have done both joint second sides Naga and Visakha a big favour by helping them sqeeze Boeung Ket that much harder in the Metfone C-League run home.

Boeung Ket’s lead has been trimmed to four points while they have now played a match more than their nearest rivals.

Meanwhile, Cambodia’s U15 side began their AFF Championship Group A campaign on the wrong foot, going down 1-0 to Vietnam in the Indonesian city of Gresik last Sunday.

In an otherwise fighting display came Cambodia’s costly lapse in conceding a 36th minute penalty, which Vietnam converted.

In other group A matches, Indonesia routed the Philippines 8-0, while Myanmar edged out Timor-Leste in a 3-2 victory.