Strengthening their grip

Week 19 of the MCL campaign, courtesy of Sabay.com.kh

It sure looks like Phnom Penh Crown are in no mood to let their grip on the Metfone C-League Championship slip, condemning National Police to a 3-1 defeat in Saturday's clash at Olympic Stadium under lights. George Bisan, with goal number 19, Odion Obadin and on the hour, captain Kouch Sokumpheak getting on the Crown scoresheet, with Tith Dina scoring the Police's consolation. It was their 7th straight win. In contrast, Boeung Ket were frustrated by the Army on Sunday and have conceded that their challenge has faltered beyond repair, after a surprise 1-1 draw in a game they expected to win. The gap between the Rubbermen and Crown is now seven points and one more win in their next three games will give Crown the crown, so to speak. Mohammed Tijani scored for Boeung Ket but didn't know much about it, as an attempted clearance struck his body and rebounded back into the net. The leveller from Ung Dara came courtesy of a penalty conceded by Pheak Rady. Boeung Ket groaned as Army rode out a late surge to share the spoils. Elsewhere, BBU managed a 2-1 win over strugglers Kirivong with Thai Phalla and Takahito Ota scoring. A late late strike from Yusuke Ueda helped bottom dwellers Albirex Niigata to a 2-2 draw with AEU, but it won't help their plight as they are doomed to relegation. Western Uni did their survival hopes a power of good when Reo Nakamura's late goal proved decisive in beating TriAsia 1-0.
In Wednesday's midweek game, former champions Svay Rieng gave Kirivong a lesson they won't forget quickly, thrashing them 9-0 with Nigerian striker Dzarma Bata netting a personal tally of 5 goals to take him above Crown's George Bisan in the race for the Golden Boot. Prak Mony Odom grabbed a brace, with Nob Tola and Samoeun Pidor adding the others. In the later game, NagaCorp and National Police rode out a boring 0-0 draw.