Nelson is the man

Hat-trick hero for BBU, Nelson Oladiji

Star of the show from today's two Metfone C-League games was Nelson Oladiji, which is timely as I picked him as my star of the week for Friday's Khmer edition of Sports Today after his performance last weekend. This time around he netted a hat-trick for Build Bright in their 4-1 trouncing of Prek Pra Keila and looks like he's in the goalscoring groove as the second half of the season really gets underway. The win takes BBU into 2nd spot behind Naga, who did just enough, again, to beat Preah Khan 2-1 in the first match of the day. Winning by the odd goal is becoming the norm for Naga as they grind out their results and maintain thier push for the Super 4. Back to BBU, Prek Pra took the lead through Mat Hasan but Oum Chandara levelled two minutes later in the 1st half and with Oladiji netting just before the break, it was the signal for BU to take over. Two goalpoacher goals from Oladiji at the start of the 2nd half sealed it for the students, who had the luxury of leaving top scorer Nuth Sinoun on the bench.
The Naga versus PKR game was a lot closer as two of the league's stronger teams met. PKR kept Khuon Laboravy on the sidelines again, which is a mystery as he's their main source of goals. However, it was keeper Ouk Mic who kept them in the match in the 2nd half with a string of fine saves before the 70th minute winner from Naga sub Jonathan Onyeahiri. Naga had taken the lead on 14 minutes when Suon Thuon netted an own goal after Mic had saved a shot from Kop Isa but the ball rebounded off the defender's knee and rolled over the goal-line in slow motion. 10 minutes later PKR drew level through evergreen Sam El Nasa and could've scored more with a bit of luck. Naga did just enough to win and could even afford for their big shots like Joseph Oyewole, Meas Channa and Teab Vathanak to play well under their normal level of consistency. The win takes Naga back to the top of the table though Phnom Penh Crown play tomorrow and could snatch it back.