With braces from from Ri Hyok-chol and Keo Vannak, Ministry of National Defence hammered bottom of the table Western Phnom Penh 6-2 at the Old Stadium yesterday to close the gap on Metfone C-League leaders Boeung Ket Angkor.

North Korean import Hyok-chol grabbed two goals in the first 20 minutes, and compatriot Choe Myong-ho polished off the Army tally deep into injury time.

Midfielder Keo Vannak claimed his first just before the half-time whistle and then minutes after the restart, completing his well merited brace before Bun Heng cushioned the lead to 5-0.

Western staged a brief recovery through the consistent Mathew Esa, who scored twice in the space of four minutes just past the hour mark.

But Army were in no mood to relent. They kept pushing for more, and Myong-ho ticked off Army’s sixth goal moments before the final whistle.

Boeung Ket head the league table with 34 points from 13 games, three ahead of closest rivals Army, with NagaWorld in third, seven points adrift.

Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng are in fourth spot with 22 points, followed by Phnom Penh Crown in fifth with 20 points.