Saturday, February 8, 2014

Bragging rights for AEU

Two very different games at the Olympic Stadium this afternoon as the Metfone C-League moved into its into third week. Last season's champions Svay Rieng looked anything but title contenders with a poor showing against previously pointless Asia Euro University, who claimed the bragging rights with a goal-less draw in the early kick-off. There was certainly nothing to shout about for the boys from the province who gave debuts to strike partners Nigerian Bata Dzarma and Frenchman David Quadrao but both failed to trouble the scoreboard, though Dzarma was thwarted by another point-blank Mak Theara save - he's making a habit of them - just after the interval. It was a turgid first half and the 2nd period wasn't much better and with a bit more composure, AEU could've sneaked a late win. Ten minutes into the 2nd half and Svay Rieng had made their three substitutions, two of them being defenders. What does that tell you? In the later match under floodlights, it was one-way traffic for most of the game, with TriAsia starting off like a runaway train and leading 3-nil after just sixteen minutes against a hapless Albirex Niigata. A cricket score looked likely though Tatsuta Kazuki nicked a consolation before the floodgates opened up again. TriAsia led 5-1 at the break and ended up registering an 8-1 win, when it could, and should've been considerably more. Sok Chanrasmey netted two early on, after Chan Rithy lobbed the opener. Vi Lika headed in from a corner and Kouch Dani scored the first of his hat-trick before the interval. A Dani free-kick and another long range effort from the French-Khmer import sandwiched an embarrassingly easy goal for substitute Masakazu Kihara. Still no room in the line-up for Friday Nwakuna as TriAsia move into top spot after three matches. As for Albirex's defence, if they continue in that vein their time in the MCL will be short-lived. Over at the Army Stadium, Boeung Ket's nightmare continued, losing 2-1 to National Police. Beaten by TriAsia the week before, Khuon Laboravy scored for the province team but goals from Ol Ravy and Reijin Tani, even though the Police had Sob Ravy red carded, gave the spoils to the Old Bill. For the second week running, the match ended with handbags aplenty as both teams squared up. No magic from Elroy van der Hooft this week either, he was sidelined with injury. In the second match, NagaCorp found their scoring streak to put BBU to the sword, 5-0, with goals from Sun Sovannrithy 2, Jang In Yong, Chin Chum and an own goal.

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