This year’s Metfone C-League top scorer, NagaWorld’s Nigerian hotshot George Bisan, and South African former Phnom Penh Crown forward Shane Booysen teamed up for World All Stars on Tuesday evening, but even this potent strikeforce could not help win the day.
The World side went down 1-2 to the predominantly Cambodian Bei Jeng Family and, with the defeat, perhaps out of the ongoing ISI Palm KMH Super Cup held at the KMH Stadium in Chaom Chao.
Despite a 17th minute strike from Booysen, who is likely to turn out for Svay Rieng in the ensuing season, the All Stars ended up losing the must-win tie as they had been squarely beaten 4-0 by the African All Stars in their previous four team Group B match.
At the other end of the scale, Bei Jeng, who had beaten Avatar FC 3-2, rode out the momentum through goals from Sok Sor and Mao Piseth’s 86th minute winner.
Booysen, who missed the opening tie, quickly got into his stride, splitting two defenders and finding the space to score early in the game, after which the All Stars seemed to relish the going.
But before half-time Bei Jeng found their way back into the game with a 35th minute goal from Sor, forcing the World All Stars to work doubly hard to make a fight of it.
The appearance of Bisan and Michael Osei Tutu after the break put pressure on the local outfit but in a strange sequence of events Bisan was shown a red card by the referee in the 70th minute for a rough tackle, much to the shock of his teammates.
To make matters worse, the player who the referee deemed fouled by Bisan made no complaint and almost immediately got up, highlighting the soft nature of the call.
Reduced to 10 men, All Stars continued to battle with Mihal Novik and Aaron Sexton doing some good work. But against the run of play, Mao Piseth found the net to ensure his side’s semi-final place is confirmed.
Upcoming fixtures
Thursday 15, Khmer United v KMH All Stars, 7pm
Friday 16, Avatar v African All Stars, 7pm
