Out with a bang

Army striker Phuong Soksana netted 2 goals against Chhma Khmao

The Army team inflicted a 7-2 whipping of Chhma Khmao on Sunday

In the 2nd C-League game on Sunday, the Army finally put their inconsistent form behind them to thrash relegated and bottom-of-the table Chhma Khmao 7-2. The two all-Khmer teams met in the final game of the regular league season and the Army took the lead on 6 minutes and never looked back. Touch Sokheng poked home the first with Khim Borey netting a penalty for the second just 2 minutes later, after Phuong Soksana was upended. On the half-hour Soksana finished off a precise Borey center with a tap-in and 30 seconds later, Borey went down under a challenge from the Black Cats keeper and Om Thavrak stepped up to convert Army's second spot-kick. Chhma Khmao got a spot-kick of their own when Rang Borin felled Meak Chhordaravuth and Pao Phearith rolled in his penalty, sending Sou Yaty the wrong way ten minutes before the break. Eight minutes after the restart Men Piseth bicycle-kicked the Black Cats' second goal but ten minutes later Khim Borey fired in from an angle to put the Army firmly back in the driving seat. They increased their lead with another goal for Phuong Soksana and a last-minute effort from Chhin Chhoeurn, both supplied by the hard-working Khim Borey. The Army finish the season in 6th spot, having promised so much when winning the Hun Sen Cup before the start of the campaign. For the final game of the regular season, referee Thong Chankethya couldn't resist adding to his red card count and dismissed Chhma Khmao's Kung Vichea for two bookable indiscretions.

The Black Cats of Svay Rieng line-up for their final C-League team photo before relegation