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

  • 12th Cambodia int’l film festival to see return of Hollywood star

    Phnom Penh is set to come alive with the magic of cinema as the highly anticipated 12th Cambodia International Film Festival (CIFF) takes centre stage. Boasting an impressive line-up of 188 films from 23 countries, including captivating shorts, feature films, documentaries and animation, the festival promises an

  • Bareknuckle champion wants Kun Khmer fighter

    Dave Leduc, who is the current openweight Lethwei boxing champion in Myanmar, has announced that he will travel to Cambodia this year to challenge SEA Games gold medallist Prum Samnang any time that is convenient, after their planned match later this month in Slovakia was

  • Struggling Battambang artist dreams of staging full-scale gallery exhibition

    Leav Kimchhoth, a 55-year-old artist from Battambang province, is a familiar face to locals and tourists alike on the streets of the riverside in Phnom Penh. The one-armed painter and illustrator often hawks his work near the night market on weekends and public holidays. He

  • Five-year-old Hanuman dances his way into hearts of Cambodia

    A young talent from a new-established settlement has emerged, captivating the online world with his mesmerising performances of the traditional Cambodian monkey dance. Roeun Kakada is a five-year-old prodigy who has taken the social media sphere by storm with his exceptional dance skills and dedication

  • Fresh Covid warnings as Thai hospital fills

    A senior health official reminds the public to remain vigilant, as neighbouring countries experience an increase in Covid-19 cases, with the latest surge appearing to be a result of the Omicron XBB.1.5 sub-variant. Or Vandine, secretary of state and spokeswoman for the Ministry of Health,

  • New Law on Taxation comes into effect

    Cambodia has enacted the eagerly-awaited new Law on Taxation, which aims to improve the national tax regime’s compliance with present and future international standards and economic conditions; encourage accountability, effectiveness and transparency in the collection process; and promote investment in the Kingdom. King Norodom