An incredible day

Crown celebrate with Kouch Sokumpheak and Sun Sopanha holding the cup aloft behind Sports Minister Im Sothy

Let me get my breath back first...okay, got it. Phnom Penh Crown are the Metfone C-League champions, did I mention that already? I did, okay. This afternoon was the final game of the season against our rivals and the team who finished in 2nd spot, Naga Corp. It turned out to be a thrilling climax to the season, showing that both teams deserved to be in the top two places in the league table, with a 3-3 draw the final result. Naga's red-hot strikeforce took full advantage of Crown's makeshift backline with Omogba Esoh scoring twice on 11 and 19 minutes, only for Kingsley Njoku to reduce the arrears with a twice-taken penalty, just three minutes later. With chances going begging at both ends, Naga got a decisive third through the league's top scorer Julius Oiboh on the stroke of half-time. Crown piled on the pressure after the break with Kouch Sokumpheak sent sprawling inside the box but no whistle from the referee, though on 67 minutes, he did get Crown's second with a low drive through a forest of legs. With opportunities aplenty in both goalmouths, it was Crown who snatched a dramatic equaliser five minutes from the end of normal time with a second goal for Kingsley Njoku. A great advertisement for Cambodian football. After the match, Crown celebrated their championship success, receiving their medals and the cup from the Minister of Sport, Im Sothy.

The Crown squad pose with the cup and their medals after the presentation ceremony

It's ours and I'm not letting go of the Metfone C-League championship trophy