Prek Pra's lifeline

2 goals from Dennis Nwaizu confirmed Prek Pra's 3-1 win Chhma Khmao

Prek Pra Keila gave themselves a lifeline to remaining in the Metfone C-League Saturday with a 3-1 win over down and out Chhma Khmao and if results go with the formbook, they might just do it. They are now level on points with Wat Phnom but have a superior goal difference of ten. Both teams have two games left to play and will be expected to lose both of them, which could just leave Prek Pra hanging onto their C-League status at the end of their first roller-coaster season in the top flight. Their boisterous fans celebrated as though they were safe already. They're not but you could understand their delight. The match between the bottom two teams was pretty good. Nip and tuck throughout with Prek Pra doing enough to win it though referee Khuon Virak tried to make life difficult for the sides with two late red cards. It's just something he likes to do to keep himself busy. That's eight red cards from him since the mid-season break. Prek Pra drew first blood just after the half hour when Mat Hasan finished with accuracy, only for Chhmao Khmao's Kung Vichea to let fly from thirty yards with a stunning equaliser 3 minutes later. All square at the break. Prek Pra began the second half like a train and it took less than a minute for Dennis Nwaizu to impose himself, with another neat finish after Hasan's spurt into the box. A second yellow card for Prek Pra's dominant defender Philip Ali, with 19 minutes to go, will have given them the jitters but they held on and in the sixth minute of added-on time they netted a third. Chham Khmao's Lea Sopheap bundled over Feut Sulkiphly and as the last man he was given his marching orders, allowing Sot Sa Aun to slot in the resultant penalty. Referee Virak spotted encroachment so ordered a retake which saw Dennis Nwaizu promptly pick up the ball, put it on the spot and whack it against the foot of the post and in. 3-1 to Prek Pra, the players and fans celebrated as though it was a cup final and it might just turn out that that's exactly what it was.

Prek Pra may just have preserved their C-League status with the win over Chhma Khmao

Chhma Khmao have been relegated in their 1st season in the top flight