Solar FC ran out 4-2 victors over Crossroads in Battambang Saturday in the grand final of the 2009 Hello Adult League.

BATTAMBANG

Solar FC began their 2009 Hello Adult League final Saturday at Battambang’s Institute of Technology at a cracking pace. Indeed, the Crossroads defence was breached three times in the first four mintues to send the game to a predictable conclusion.

Solar striker Chhnon Sothea opened the scoring in the first minute with a beautifully struck shot from distance that flew beyond keeper Tit Engsrouns’ reach. One minute later Oem Sophors doubled Solar’s lead, taking full advantage of diabolical defending to tip the ball over the line from close range. Loaded with self-esteem, it was Oem Sophors who scored again to make it 3-0 for his side.

Despite the calamitous opening minutes, Crossroads kept on trying. However, Solar keeper Tep Manith was in fine form to deny his opponents an answer in the first half.

In the second half, the pace of Solar striker Lim Kidory took Crossroads by surprise, with a foul just outside the penalty area their only solution to halt him. Lim Kidory took the freekick himself, which deflected off the wall to flatfoot the keeper and make the score an ominous 4-0 with 40 minutes left.

Ten minutes later, Crossroads were given a break by the referee in the form of a penalty which Nouv Sophal duly dispatched past Tep Manith.

Then, with a quarter of an hour remaining, Nouv Sophal netted his second to spark an unlikely comeback charge. However, the clock ticked away with no more goals scored, including a missed spotkick by Solar’s Thab Bunchen, and the match ended 4-2.

After the game, Solar FC were awarded the Hello Adult League trophy and US$600 prize money from sponsors Hello phone company. Sam Mary, the invited guest from the provincial government of Battambang, gave a congratulatory speech to the team, also thanking Sam Schweingruber, the director of the SALT Academy in Battambang, for organising the league.

Spectators also gave warm applause to beaten finalists Crossroads, who received $350. $200 also went to Baitong FC who beat Jerusalem in the playoff.

Jerusalem left with nothing but disappointment, after providing a spirited comeback from 4-0 after half an hour, to end the game 7-6.

Crossroads hotshot Um Tola was awarded the Golden Boot as the topscorer of the Hello Adult League, with a total of 21 goals over nine games.

KCD Rangers collected the fair play prize.