Kirivong Sok Sen Chey’s Sos Nasiet (R) tries to pull down Preah Khan Reach’s Joseph Olatubosun. Photograph: Sreng Meng Srun / Phnom Penh Post

Hun Sen Cup winners Preah Khan Reach remained top of the Metfone C-League leaderboard yesterday after their 2-0 victory over Kirivong Sok Sen Chey at Olympic Stadium.

An own goal by Sos Nasieth on the hour mark led to Kirivong’s swift downfall as Khoun Laboravy consolidated PKR’s lead in the next six minutes with a neat advance from the left and a neater finish.

Military Police-backed PKR ran into a couple of tight situations inside their own box midway through the second half but a strong backline and even stronger Sos Sophea under the bar kept their lead safe.

A ninth victory for PKR in 13 outings took them to 29 points, two clear of the midweek’s joint leaders National Police Commissary, who could only draw 1-1 with Build Bright United in an earlier kickoff.

The Police, who have played one game more than PKR, are second on 27 points following their fifth straight draw.

The striking prowess of Nelson Oladiji was glaringly evident in his deft dash to the box and delightful finish, but the Police could only latch on to that 13th minute lead for little over 25 minutes before the University-backed side hit back through Prom Puth Sethy.

A few skirmishes on both sides kept the sides on their toes in a fast paced second half.

The well earned draw fixed BBU to seventh spot in the table with 17 points from 12 matches.

Naga third despite defeat

Goalkeeper Phon Ratana’s faulty collection proved costly for former champions Naga Corp, who went down 1-0 to Ministry of National Defence on Saturday.

The goal that eventually tipped the scales in favour of the Army side came in the 36th minute off a Phoung Tola free-kick.

The Naga goaltender seemingly had the flight well covered but apparently was caught in two minds whether to poach the ball or punch it away.

In the end he did neither, as the ball cannoned into the goal off his hand.

There were some desperate Naga counters after this piece of misfortune, but MND’s discipline at the back ensured safety for the side.

While Naga’s morale took a big hit after their third loss in this campaign, their third place standing in the table was not affected.

The Army men move up to fifth spot with 20 points from 13 games, pushing defending champions Phnom Penh Crown a notch back to sixth.

Boeung Ket Rubber Field, who enjoyed a weekend off, are slotted in the fourth spot.

Chhlam Samuth convincingly won the battle of the tailenders, beating Western University 4-1 in Saturday’s other fixture.

Striker Bisan George was at his best for the Sea Sharks, nailing a hat-trick that took his season tally to 11 goals.

Silva Sunday chipped in with Sharks’s fourth goal. Western University’s lone strike came off Long Boran.

Despite the victory, Chhlam Samuth continue to flounder in the drop zone, albeit three points above league novices Western University.

To contact the reporter on this story: H S Manjunath at [email protected]