National Defence Ministry kept themselves in the hunt for a domestic double with a 6-0 stomping of Metfone C-League strugglers Wat Phnom Wednesday

National Defence Ministry captain Khim Borey (centre) takes on Wat Phnom’s Sun Menghuot (left) Wednesday.

Wat Phnom’s Chhun Mesa (right) attempts to dispossess National Defence Ministry’s Phuong Soksana during their Metfone C-League match Wednesday at Olympic Stadium.

Photos by: Nick Sells (www.nicksellsphotography.com)

WAT Phnom’s aspirations of moving up the Metfone C- League table suffered a further blow Wednesday afternoon as the National Defence Ministry (MND) team gave them a 6-0 thrashing. The late introduction of Wat Phnom’s recent recruit Michael Ezeoke proved ineffective as Suong Virak inspired the Hun Sen Cup holders to a first half rampage.

Skipper Khim Borey put MND in front after just two minutes, signalling their intent to topple current league leaders Phnom Penh Crown. The Cambodian national team star controlled a long pass from the right with a perfect first touch and blasted his shot into the near side corner, leaving goalkeeper Sin Pisal well beaten.

Wat Phnom responded instantly, forcing Army stopper Sou Yaty to make a double save, first from Chhim Pras and then from Phourn Saorom. However, it was Sin Pisal at the other end that really had his work cut out, as MND’s Suong Virak began to run rings around the Wat Phnom defenders.

Army are noted for their strong wing play, and they used their superior pace to outwit the opposition, who were guilty of playing too high up the pitch and caught napping on several occasions.

Six minutes into the game, Suon Virak doubled his team’s lead after Phoung Soksana had beaten the offside trap on the left flank. His low cross was expertly met by Virak to give Sin Pisal no chance.

Two minutes later and Suon Virak was on song again after Wat Phnom defender Put Savuth fumbled the ball in between his legs just outside the centre circle. The Army forward stole the ball and was one on one with the keeper before picking his spot to grab a three goal lead inside of 10 minutes.

Wat Phnom’s attempt to fight back met a brick wall in Sou Yaty, who parried away a shot from Sun Sovanratha in the 21st minute. Khim Borey then missed a glorious chance to increase the MND tally when he chose to chip rather than take the ball around Sin Pisal.

The Army were hungry for more goals, with Crown carrying a significant advantage in goal difference. Suon Virak continue to torment the Wat Phnom backs, and in the 26th minute he sped down the right to send in a delightful cross for Phoung Soksana to flick into the net.

Just after the half hour mark, Phoung Soksana saw his header deflected away for a corner and then defender Thong Oudom joined the party as he headed home the resultant corner kick with Wat Phnom failing to clear their lines.

Despite a 5-nil cushion going into the break, MND refused to take their foot off the gas after the restart. Nov Soseila came on for the Suon Virak in the 54th minute to inject even more pace and caused consternation in the Wat Phnom rearguard.

Wat Phnom managed to weather the storm for a while, as coach Nem Sophorn introduced defender Chan Youhan and striker Ezeoke, who fashioned a chance from his first touch only to drive wide of the target.

Moments later, Ezeoke was one-on-one with Sou Yaty but his shot cannoned off the chest of the Army keeper for a corner.

Army remained resolute, and increased their tally with ten minutes left when Khim Borey was left in acres of space on the left side. The captain flighted in a delicious cross which was met at the near post by Phoung Soksana with a neat half volley for his second.

Op Sam An’s troops have now collected 10 points from four matches and are joint top with Crown on points although a have six to make up on goal difference. Wat Phnom’s latest defeat keeps them teetering above the drop zone on three points.