Prek Pra’s Sos Souhana (left) vies with Ly Rony of Rithy Sen during their previous Metfone C-League clash on June 5. The sides, which occupy the bottom two places of the Metfone C-League, play on Sunday. Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

National Police Commissary v National Defence Ministry

Saturday, August 13 – 2pm

Key players: Say Pisith and Chhin Chhoeun

Newcomers National Pol-ice have already secured their Metfone C-League status next year, but will pursue as high a placing as possible as the final rounds of the season play out.

Last weekend’s dramatic walk-off just 20 minutes into their match with Phnom Penh Crown saw them receive a 5-0 loss by default but escape further punishment.

Although Touch Pancharong’s sending-off, which sparked the Police’s decision to forfeit the game, means he will be sidelined tomorrow, Say Pisith, Ieng Tin and Chhin Meng Seang are still available to shore up the defence.

Captain Sophal Udom and Long Nasy are still the best choice up front for Police head coach Oung Kanyanith, while Man Ritavan and Tit Dina would assume the roles of providers for the goal getters.

National Defence are realistically only chasing second place this season. Their striker Phoung Soksana scored the decisive goal during the last time the teams played each other.

For tomorrow’s clash, Army winger Chhin Chhoen – nicknamed “the Cambodian Nani” – will attempt to put pressure on the opposition through his remarkable pace.

Captain Oum Kumpheak and midfielder Meak Chhordaravuth should also feature prominently in leading their team to the full three points.

Phnom Penh Crown v Kirivong Sok Sen Chey

Saturday, August 13 – 4pm

Key players: Sun Sovanrithy and Ouk Thorn

FOLLOWING the ugly scenes of last week’s fixture with the Police, Crown have announced an indefinite suspension of midfielder Phoung Narong, who ran onto the pitch off the bench to incite the walkout.

The reigning champions will be unperturbed and look to consolidate their lead over Naga Corp at the top of the standings. In Sun Sovanrithy, they have not only a powerful defender but also a considerable offensive threat.

Striker partners Kouch Sok-umpheak, Chan Chhaya and Kingsley Njoku will be key men in breaking down the Kir-ivong backline, while Crown’s Takahito Ota and Sun Sopanha should boss the midfield with their neat interplay.

Meanwhile, Kirivong right winger Ouk Thorn showed fantastic skill during his side’s 2-1 victory over Build Bright United last weekend.

Forwards Mam Sophal, Ek Vannak and Nelson Oladiji also provide the Takeo club with a good chance for goals.

Captain In Vicheka needs to lead from the back and help Touch Sok Heang and Sok Va  thwart the Crown attacks.

In their first-leg encounter, the teams shared the points from an entertaining 4-4 draw.

Prek Pra Keila v Rithy Sen

Sunday, August 14 – 2pm

Key players: Sos Souhana and Tam Yusos

LEAGUE debutants Rithy Sen are bracing themselves for an almost certain demotion from the top tier, but face fellow drop zone occupants Prek Pra in perhaps their finest chance to gain their first win of the campaign.

Neither side has managed to muster a single point from matches during the second leg.

Rithy Sen’s Tam Yousos and Prek Pra’s Sos Souhana were on the mark when the teams finished locked at 1-1 in their previous meeting. Last weekend, Rithy Sen suffered a demoralising 11-1 demolition at the hands of Naga, although Ly Tauman netted the consolation goal for the Kampong Chhnang outfit. Prek Pra, meanwhile, were edged out 1-0 thanks to an injury-time winner by Preah Khan Reach’s Yun Mesa.

Rithy Sen’s Tam Yousos, Raymond Esin, Thiv Sophearom and Mat Rofazy all possess the talent to grab an elusive result for their side, although their opponents are a team who battle on till the very end.

For Sunday’s match, Prek Pra will focus their attention on the frontmen, but if Sos Souhana, Jamiv Adebayo and You Safy fail to unlock the Rithy Sen defence, a midfielder could step up to take the spotlight.

Naga Corp v Chhlam Samuth

Sunday, August 14 – 4pm

Key players: Julius Oiboh and Sanny Dauda

NAGA seem content to be led by the trailblazing exploits of club top-scorer Julius Oiboh, who is topping the league charts with an outstanding   24 goals.

They will need nothing but wins from the final four fixtures to have a hope of  usurping Crown at the summit.

Youthful Naga defender Soeung Monyroth will be absent due to injury, but Om Thavrak, Neang Chenla and Teat Chandarasokha have enough calibre to deal with the might of Chhlam Samuth. Teab Vathanak, Chin Chum and Kob Isa are also in the hunt to improve their own goal tallies for Naga.

The Sea Sharks, meanwhile, are desperate to put safe distance between themselves and the relegation places, and are likely to put Thay Sineth in goal to replace Pech Rovin Yothin, who has a conflict of interest in facing the club he is on loan from.

Chhlam Samuth’s Nigerian contingent of Sanny Dauda, Paul Olabode and Ayodele Silva are the heartbeat of the team but defenders Kao Viso, Mort Nasiet and Pov Samnang seem destined to have the busiest day after the clubs’ first tie ended 8-3 to Naga.

TRANSLATED BY IN SOPHENG