Sentiment is not dead

Wat Phnom registered their 1st win with a 6-3 thrashing of Prek Pra

The first man on the pitch to congratulate the Wat Phnom players after their 6-3 success over Metfone C-League newboys Prek Pra Keila on Saturday was Prince Justine. Although he left his former Spark FC colleagues in the close season to join Phnom Penh Crown and scored twice against them in last week's opening match, he was as pleased as punch when they registered their first win of the new season. Sentiment and camaraderie still has a place in professional football. As for Prek Pra, who brought along a vociferous crowd with them, their defending was so woeful, that they will struggle badly this season without some serious shoring up. They've conceded eleven goals in two games and next week they face Crown, who might just rattle up a cricket score. They were down 4-1 at the interval yesterday, contributing much to their own downfall. They did equalize Phlong Chanthou's opener when stand-in striker Philip Ali headed in a corner but after that they collapsed. Uche Henry Asonibe scored a couple of goals in quick succession and the smallest player on the pitch, the diminutive Phoeurn Saorum dived full-length, which isn't much, to head in before the break. Wat Phnom continued to dominate after the restart with Asonibe completing his hat-trick from the penalty spot before a late rally from the newcomers, who scored through Ali and substitute Feut Soulkiply was small consolation to their supporters. Saorum lashed in a sixth goal for Wat Phnom, who are still waiting for visa clearance for two of their Nigerian imports.

Prek Pra Keila seem to be destined for a long hard season ahead

Wat Phom skipper and goalscorer Phlong Chanthou