Last year’s runners-up Boeung Ket Rubber Field outplayed Asia Europe University 4-1 at the Olympic Stadium yesterday even as the Metfone C-League leaders Phnom Penh Crown maintained the pace and pressure on the chasing pack with a hard-earned 2-1 win over TriAsia on Saturday.

It required an early TriAsia goal to bring the best out of Crown, who ended up the week five points clear of Boeung Ket in what is developing into an exciting two-team battle for the title.

First season candidates TriAsia dared the four-time champions with an early goal which came off Suong Virak’s boot. But undaunted by this challenge, Crown responded through George Bisan and Odion Obadin to complete their 14th win of the league season.

While Bisan failed to convert a penalty for Crown moments before Obadin’s winning header, TriAsia had the misfortune of losing substitute Chan Sokha to a red card booking 16 minutes into the second half. Sokha had spent barely five minutes on the pitch when his studs up tackle landed him in serious trouble.

Boeung Ket kept their hopes alive with a tidy win over AEU, who proved no match for the 2012 champions.

The Rubbermen more or less sealed the deal in the first half itself. Mohammad Tijani’s brace was quickly complemented by Khun Laboravy’s strike in the 25th minute and Sok Pheng came up with the fourth minutes before the breather to leave AEU in a situation.

Though AEU managed to keep the rampaging Boeung Ket quiet in the second session, their only solace came from a 67th-minute goal by Chhang Hay.

In Saturday’s first fixture, Hun Sen Cup runners-up Build Bright United drew with Ministry of National Defence 1-1.

The Army side shot to the front in the 25th minute through Va Buthror, but the university-backed side levelled up 10 minutes later when Rieng Bunheang found the mark.