By the formbook

NagaCorp beat Boeung Ket 2-1 to return to the top of the table

Today's Metfone C-League matches went with the formbook and saw Preah Khan Reach and NagaCorp win their respective matches, at the Olympic Stadium. PKR had it all their own way in the early kick-off. I say early, as it was earlier than anyone expected. I arrived in time for the advertised 2.30pm start, only to find out that the match had started at 2pm, courtesy of a late change by the Federation. Nice one FFC. Tum Saray scored twice before half-time, the second being a mile offside. Khuon Laboravy hit the post, missed a glut of opportunities and then disappeared from view after the break. Western Uni conceded again just after the interval when PKR's own Theo Walcott, Prak Mony Udom netted. In the last minute Sok Chanraksmey wrapped it up with a tap-in. 4-0 and a very easy win for PKR.
The later kick-off was much more interesting, especially towards the end when Boeung Ket bust a gut to try and equalize, which they ultimately failed to do. Naga are developing a habit of pulling Kenny Nwafor off after just half an hour and they did it again today. A few minutes later they conceded an own goal when Thul Sothearith chested a corner past his own keeper; a corner which was mistakenly awarded by the linesman. Naga then equalized two minutes into time added on before the half-time break when Lawal Nofiu headed in powerfully at the far post. In the 2nd half, the Naga manager was dismissed from the dug-out for petulance and Chuon Chum somehow managed to send a three-yard diving header over the cross-bar. Five minutes after the hour mark, a Sun Sopanha free-kick from way out was deflected past his own keeper Penh Bunchhay by the outstretched foot of Lar Pichseyla and Naga took the lead which they never relinquished. Time-wasting was the order of the day for Naga as they fell over time and again, with Chum and keeper Phorn Ratana the worst culprits. Referee Yien Kivatanak added on seven minutes but blew after six and should've really started dishing out yellow cards to cut out this gamesmanship by Naga who ran out 2-1 winners. I know they will say 'all's fair in love and war' but their antics really do leave a sour taste in the mouth. It's just that they are so blatantly obvious about it. Boeung Ket left it too late to bring on their skipper Keo Sokngorn, strangely left warming the bench for 82 minutes, while Naga, who went back to the top of the table with this win, had to leave out Sun Sovannrithy and San Narith after the AFC confirmed their ban lasts until the end of May, even though the FFC allowed them to play in recent weeks. The word, shambles, comes readily to mind.

Boeung Ket had six of the 9 former PPCFC players who started the match