Easy for Naga

Naga line up before their game against Chhlam Samuth

The curtain-raiser for the Phnom Penh Crown and Army clash yesterday afternoon was the replay of the Naga v Chhlam Samuth game that was abandoned at half-time due to a torrential downpour last Sunday. As expected, Naga ran out easy 5-0 winners but were given quite a scare for much of the 1st half. If the former Navy team had more composure they could've made it very uncomfortable for the 2nd-placed team but they didn't and Naga went onto win by a country mile. Needing a win to maintain any hope of pipping Crown for the Metfone C-League title, Naga were lucky to survive a 14th minute double fright when San Thydeth and then Sunday Ayodele should've done better with close range efforts for Chhlam Samuth. Phorn Ratana in the Naga goal stood firm for both and then used his legs to deny Ros Samoeurn before Naga, and of course, Julius Oiboh took the lead five minutes before the break. The lanky powerhouse striker netted his 25th goal of the season when Chhim Bunsan missed his defensive header leaving Oiboh with a simple finish. Two minutes into time added on, Naga scored a 2nd and the game was over as a contest. Chin Chom, or is it Chum, found space on the left, took Oiboh's pass in his stride and finished with ease. Two minutes after the restart and Naga netted a third when Chom pulled back a bye-line center and San Thydeth turned it into his own net. Oiboh showed he is human when he missed an absolute sitter from three yards out with the goal at his mercy before Chom got his second, volleying in Teab Vathanak's inch-perfect cross. With keeper Sam Chamroeun being kept busy, Chhlam Samuth managed to stem the tide of Naga attacks until two minutes from the end, when Chom was left with a simple headed tap-in from Meas Channa's deflected cross to complete his hat-trick and a five-goal whitewash.

Chhlam Samuth gave a good account of themselves in the 1st half

This is the Army starting line-up for their match against Phnom Penh Crown