Turgid final

Kim Borey, PPCFC skipper, collects the Fair Play cheque

PPCFC line-up with their two cheques for 3rd Place and Fair Play

I had to drag myself kicking and screaming to write a report from Saturday's Hun Sen Cup Final debacle. It lacked everything you would wish from a final; excitement, entertainment and skill. Both teams were completely clueless about how to break the other team down and as a result we had to endure 120 minutes of turgid football. The only event of note within the entire 90+30 minutes extra time was a disallowed goal by referee Thong Chankethya, who else. Sun Sovannrithy fired goalwards on 23 minutes and Army's normally-reliable keeper Sou Yaty made a hash of catching it, let it slip through his fingers and watched as it crossed the line. At least two Naga players were standing on or near the goal-line and though they didn't touch it, the linesman flagged and the goal was cancelled out. The offside rules have been so buggered about with these days that no-one really has the definitive answer as to whether it should've stood or not. In the event, Chankethya ruled it out. So it went to penalties, as did both of the semi-finals, and it was Naga who kept their nerve, scoring all five of theirs whilst Thong Udom missed the Army's opener and left the door open for Naga to win 5-3 on spot-kicks. Through the crocodile tears of joy, Naga collected the trophy and a nice cheque with Choun Chum getting MVP and Phorn Ratana, top keeper, of the tournament. Both decisions I find impossible to fathom. Boeung Ket's precocious talent Chan Vathanaka collected the Golden Boot, while Phnom Penh Crown banked 3rd place medals and cheque and the Fair Play award.

Naga, finally won the Hun Sen Cup in their 4th final

Army, 1 missed penalty and they lose the cup final