Khemara have it in hand

This is what it meant to Khemara keeper Ly Sok Heng to win, as he celebrates towards an empty stadium. Pic: nicksellsphotography

Whoops, nearly forgot the Preah Khan v Khemara match report in my rush to flog the match referee. With PKR fielding a makeshift back-four with San Narith at centre-half, it didn't augur well though both sides gave it their all in the first half and each carved about half a dozen chances apiece, with no-one adept enough to add the finishing touch. So no goals and no yellow cards by half-time. PKR re-organised their back four at the break and it blew up in their face within five minutes when Ek Vannak thumped in a loose ball after the military police team failed to clear their lines. Khemara were down to ten-men at the time and defender Peter Olajide, with a cut above his eye, never returned. PKR levelled when Sam El Nasa headed back across the face of goal and Tum Saray bundled in from a yard, my gran could've scored that one. Referee Thong Chankethya was just warming up on the yellow card front and was only too happy to show a second yellow, and a red, to PKR's Lay Raksmey for a high foot when a finger wagging would've sufficed. From the free-kick, Kuoch Sokumpheak's shot was blocked but Sophal Udom followed it up to score. Two minutes later and Khemara were left scratching their heads when the man in black spotted a handball which no-one else saw and Sam El Nasa, who rarely misses such opportunities, stuck home the penalty. 2-2 sounded right to me but between them the referee and his assistant had other ideas. As the ball bounced in the PKR box, Suon Thuon was adjudged to have handled it (in my opinion, only the yellow-jerseyed arm of Ouk Mic touched it) and Ek Vannak capped a busy performance with a cool-as-you-like penalty. A crucial decision by the match officials, and from my lookout in the main stand, a very poor one. I hope tv replays will give a better view of it.