Taken to the cleaners

Kirivong line up before their 8-0 spanking of Chhma Khmao. 5-goal Julius Chukwumeka (7) is far right.

Julius Chukwumeka was a one-man demolition team for much of Sunday's Metfone C-League match between his team, Kirivong, and the Black Cats from Svay Rieng, Chhma Khmao. Both teams were pointless after three games but it was Kirivong who clicked into gear and gave their fellow provincial team a good spanking. Chhma Khmao were under the cosh from the start and the biggest surprise was that it took Kirivong 17 minutes to open the scoring. Chukwumeka combined well with Mich Sophasith to carve open the Black Cats before finishing with a simple tap-in. He was on the mark again, on 33 minutes, with a free header from a corner. Even I would've marked the guy who scores all the goals. 4 minutes later he registered a first-half hat-trick with a neat finish after Felix Ndukwe's long ball caused consternation in the Black Cats rearguard. Two more goals before half-time gave Kirivong a 5-nil unassailable lead. Felix Ndukwe collected the ball thirty yards out, and ended his mazy run with a low drive into the corner, before setting Mich Sophasith on a free run on goal and he finished coolly. After the break Chukwumeka added another 7 minutes in, letting fly with a left foot swinger which crept over the line courtesy of a goalkeeping howler. Twenty minutes from the end he rolled the ball into an empty net after another defensive balls-up for his fifth goal. Substitute In Vichheka joined the party, neatly lobbing the ball in after dancing around the penalty area for a few minutes. Chhma Khmao were a disorganised wreck in defense and Kirivong took them to the cleaners with considerable ease to record their 8-0 victory.

The Black Cats of Chhma Khmao before their thumping by Kirivong