Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - Boeung Ket crowned champs on final day

Boeung Ket crowned champs on final day

Boeung Ket players celebrate with the Metfone C-League trophy on Saturday night.
Boeung Ket players celebrate with the Metfone C-League trophy on Saturday night.

Boeung Ket crowned champs on final day

Boeung Ket Angkor pulled off a sensational 2-1 win over Commissary of National Police in the final game of the 2016 Metfone C-League season at the Olympic Stadium on Saturday evening to ensure domestic supremacy for the second time in four years following their maiden triumph in 2012.

Boeung Ket coach Prak Sovanara’s men faced a stern test in the deciding match against the Police side after the chasing Ministry of National Defence had kept the pressure on the leaders with a 4-1 win over Asia Europe United the previous day.

Police showed real intent to spoil the Boeung Ket party, but the Rubbermen refused to buckle under the pressure, nullifying a number of dangerous Army chances.

The hard-working Dzarma Bata kept plugging away and Khun Laboravy showed his old magic as Boeung Ket appeared sharp – but not quite sharp enough to force a breakthrough as the sides went into the half-time break goalless.

Boeung Ket broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when a corner found Bata to head home in. Boeung Ket went two up when Sovann struck in the 71st minute.

But it may have been a case of the champagne corks popping a bit too soon as Police found their way back to the game in the 85th minute through Shane Petersen, but it ultimately proved too little too late to stop the Boeung Ket celebrations.

“I owe this victory to our excellent teamwork. Each and every member of the team has contributed to this success. Also, we could not have done without the support of our management and the fans,” coach Sovanara said.

The team had an additional success to celebrate as well. Chan Vathanaka became the first player in league history to retain the Golden Boot for top goalscorer, having hit the net 22 times. He was also voted player of the season. He received 1.5 million riel ($7,500) for each award.

Although missing out on the title by just one point, the Army’s second place was the highest ever finishing position for the team, and they took away 46 million riel to help ease their disappointment.

As a testimony to the team’s remarkable showing this season, manager Tep Long Rachana was voted best coach, while Um Sereyroth was named best goalkeeper. Each got 1.5 million riel.

Boeung Ket amassed 45 points to take the title and received 60 million riel.

NagaWorld, a distant third on 34 points, received 36 million riel, while Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng took fourth spot and 30 million riel, the first time the Cambodian football federation has rewarded a fourth place finish.

MOST VIEWED

  • Joy as Koh Ker Temple registered by UNESCO

    Cambodia's Koh Ker Temple archaeological site has been officially added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List, during the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on September 17. The ancient temple, also known as Lingapura or Chok Gargyar, is located in

  • Famed US collector family return artefacts to Cambodia

    In the latest repatriation of ancient artefacts from the US, a total of 33 pieces of Khmer cultural heritage will soon return home, according to the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. In a September 12 press statement, it said the US Attorney’s Office for the

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • Manet touches down in Beijing for high-level meetings

    Prime Minister Hun Manet arrived in Beijing on September 14 for his first official visit to China, where he is slated to attend the 20th China-ASEAN Expo and meet other leaders including Chinese President Xi Jinping. Upon his arrival, Manet laid a wreath at the Monument