Sunday, May 2, 2010

The Hem Simay show

BBU custodian Hem Simay turned in a man-of-the-match performance
Today's man of the moment turned out to be goalkeeper Hem Simay of Build Bright United, who almost single-handedly kept out Phnom Penh Crown and was only beaten by a goal on the hour that looked yards offside. The 1-1 draw meant Crown would drop to 2nd in the Metfone C-League if Army could win their game. Without the suspended Prince Justine and playmaker Sun Sopanha, they missed both players and despite taking the game to BBU, they couldn't find a way past Hem Simay. In the early moments he turned a shot from Sok Pheng onto the post and then brilliantly tipped aside a great strike from Keo Sokngorn. On 15 minutes BBU caught Crown with their pants down when Prum Putsethy eluded the attentions of Sani Saidu and threaded his shot inside the post to give his team an undeserved lead. The only other event of note in the 1st half was a mini-whirlwind that blew the hoardings down and sent umbrellas tumbling. After the break it was more of the Hem Simay show, with a point-blank double save from Oscar Mpoko and Friday Nwakuna particularly outstanding. However, on the hour he was beaten with a little help from the linesman. Mpoko was put in by Srey Veasna and he finished well though he looked yards offside, and referee Thong Chankethya waved away the BBU appeals. Crown also struck the woodwork through Veasna and substitute Chan Chhaya and without Simay in such great form should've taken all 3 points. They didn't and left the Army with the opportunity to go top.
Phnom Penh Crown were held to a 1-1 draw by BBU and lost top spot in the C-League
The plucky BBU line-up that held out against Phnom Penh Crown to earn a draw

2 comments:

ungchamroeun said...

So happy to see Simay turn back. He is my favorite one. Does he become player of the week?

Andy Brouwer said...

Good spot sir, indeed Hem Simay is Star of the Week for his fantastic 1-man performance. I counted that he made 8 real quality saves to keep Crown from scoring and was only beaten by a goal that looked well offside in my opinion. I don't think he's played for a year due to injury so it was a great return to action for the goalkeeper for BBU.
Andy