Kirivong Sok Sen Chey finally kick-started their season with an 8-0 demolition of Chhma Khmao Sunday, while Preah Khan Reach and Naga Corp drew 2-2

Kirivong Sok Sen Chey’s Oun Sopheak (right) shields the ball from Chhma Khmao’s Mam Makara during their league match Sunday.

Naga Corp’s Kop Isa (left) battles with Preah Khan Reach’s Anthony Nzekwest during their Metfone C-League match Sunday.

Photos by Nick Sells (www.nicksellsphotography.com)

STILL without a point so far this season, Kirivong Sok Sen Chey finally clicked into the right gear in their fourth game of the Metfone C-League campaign Sunday, and it was the Chhma Khmao team from Svay Rieng that were made to suffer.

Already rock-bottom of the league table, Chhma Khmao were under the cosh from the off and it was surprising that it took Kirivong a full seventeen minutes to register their first goal.

Julius Chukwumeka combined well with Mich Sophasith to carve open the Black Cats’ defence, leaving Chukwumeka with a simple tap-in. The one-way traffic continued and Chukwumeka was on the mark again on 33 minutes, with a free header from an Uk Thun corner kick. Four minutes later he celebrated his hat trick with a neat finish after Felix Ndukwe’s long ball caused panic in the Chhma Khmao rearguard.

Another two goals in two minutes sent Kirivong in at the interval with a commanding 5-nil lead. Felix Ndukwe collected the ball thirty yards out, sidestepped his way past two defenders and fired a low drive into the far corner from the edge of the area. Nudkwe turned provider for Mich Sophasith moments later, releasing the striker for a free run on goal and the local forward coolly lifted his shot past goalkeeper Phan Ratana from eight yards out.

Julius Chukwumeka added salt to Chhma Khmao wounds just seven minutes after the restart. He let fly from twenty yards with a left foot swinger and keeper Phan Ratana made a real howler, allowing the ball to slip through his hands and over the goal line. Chhma Khmao’s best chance to get on the scoresheet then came and went when Phan Dara spooned his shot over the crossbar from five yards out.

On 69 minutes, Chukwumeka claimed his fifth goal of the game when he capitalised on another defensive lapse to roll the ball into an unguarded net. Eight minutes later, substitute In Vichheka joined the party, neatly lobbing the ball over Phan Ratana from fifteen yards to complete the 8-0 rout.

PKR 2 Naga Corp 2

The first half of this eagerly-awaited Metfone C-League clash of the titans lived up to expectations, but the second period fizzled out into mediocrity and a draw was a fair result at the close.

Preah Khan Reach (PKR) started strongly, tackling feverishly in the middle of the park and not allowing reigning champions Naga Corp to settle. The game burst into life on 13 minutes, when new PKR recruit Devide Njoku’s deflected shot crept in at the far post. Within two minutes Naga were level when Chin Chom’s early centre found Teab Vatanak in acres of space and he finished with ease past a stranded Ouk Mich.

The goals were coming thick and fast, and on fifteen minutes PKR recaptured the lead. Teenager Prak Mony Udom weaved his magic on the bye-line, leaving two players in his wake and picked out Anthony Nzekwest at the far post with a perfectly flighted cross, which was duly dispatched with a powerful header.

As the game ebbed and flowed evenly between the two teams, it was Naga who struck next. On the half hour, Chin Chom’s free-kick was headed against the bar by Teab Vatanak, and when Devide Njoku struck the rebound goalwards, Joseph Oyewole popped up with a deft header to direct it past a melee of players and into the net.

The second half never reached the dizzying heights of the first in terms of goalmouth incidents, though neither team gave any quarter in their desire for victory. PKR were forced to play the last half hour with a man short after full-back Lay Raksmey saw red for two bookable tackles in the eyes of match referee Duong Socheat. It was Raksmey’s first game back after a dismissal in his previous game.