NagaWorld overcame last week’s Hun Sen Cup shock by putting the skids on joint Metfone C League leaders Ministry of National Defence, the only goal of the match from Anderson Zogbe (pictured, Sreng Meng Srun)coming deep into injury time at the Old Stadium on Saturday

A game of rapidly shifting fortunes and missed chances at both ends was seemingly heading for a goalless deadlock, when a powerful header by Ivory Coast striker Anderson off a well delivered corner bulged the Army net.

Naga coach Meas Channa welcomed the outcome as a huge relief following the team’s Cup loss in the quarter-finals to CMAC. Though Naga have a mountain to climb in their League campaign, the exciting prospect of getting into the 2017 AFC Cup qualifying rounds next month has kept the casino-backed side bouyed.

The AFC has given Naga a place in the three-team playoff, with Three Star Club of Nepal and Erchim of Mongolia, as replacements for Phnom Penh Crown, who were disqualified by the Asia’s governing body last month after four of the club’s officials were suspended for match-fixing earlier this year.

The second defeat for the Armymen helped Boeung Ket Angkor move clear at the top of the table after a Khun Laboravy inspired 2-1 victory over Western Phnom Penh. Down by Rany’s seventh-minute goal, Boeung Ket were under intense pressure close to an hour before Laboravy struck twice in as many minutes. The equaliser came off a tidy finish and the go-ahead goal was a neatly placed spot-kick.

With 30 points from 11 matches, Boeung Ket have moved to 27 points, three clear of the Armymen.

Phnom Penh Crown were quite literally at home on the RSN Stadium pitch, scoring a bloodless 3-0 win over National Police, who continue to struggle near the foot of the table.

After missing the target a few times in the first session, Crown forged ahead four minutes after the break when Bin Thierry headed in. Crown doubled the advantage in the 74th minute through Anthony Aymard, and Keo Sokgnon completed the tally 10 minutes before the end.