In sharp contrast to National Police swamping the Bati Football Academy 6-1 in their second leg for an aggregate 11-1 win, three of the other quarterfinal matches in the Hun Sen Cup involving some of the heavyweights spilled over to extra-time and penalties, with Siem Reap-based Angkor Tiger recording a sensational comeback against Phnom Penh Crown from three goals down on Wednesday evening to tie the second leg 4-4 before winning 4-3 on penalties.

First of the four to kick off in the afternoon at the Bati Center, National Police were ruthless riding home their first leg rout. Noun Borey’s double was padded up by goals from Suos Chenda, Ol Ravy, Teat Kimheng and Chey Chetra.

When NagaWorld’s Suong Virak scored in the 11th minute to cushion his side’s lead to 3-0 following their 2-0 first leg win it looked curtains for the defending league champs.

But in a resolute push back, Boeung Ket produced a strong second half finish, with Ly Mizan and Khun Sengthai bridging the gap and then Sun Sovanarithy coming up with a goal that would tie up the teams at 3-3 going into extra-time, during which neither side could find the net.

Going into the inevitable penalties, it was a rollercoaster ride for Boeung Ket and misses on both sides added to growing excitement, but eventually Naga prevailed 3-2 in the nerve tingling finale to earn a semifinal place.

Away in Svay Rieng it was a rough and tumble encounter and the script took several devious turns before Army beat the local side 2-1, the margin that they had lost by in the first leg, forcing the game to extra-time and then penalties.

It was a touch and go affair until one costly miss by Svay Rieng was seized upon by the army to win 5-4. Chhin Chhoeun scored in the sixth minute for the home side and Sok Heang doubled the lead past the half hour mark.

However Svay Rieng found their way back into contention with Hoy Phalin’s 45th minute goal.