PKR spring a surprise

The victorious Preah Khan Reach team that saw off PPCrown 3-1

Preah Khan inflicted a surprise dent to the confidence of Phnom Penh Crown yesterday, and left the favourites languishing in 4th spot at the end of the regular season. PKR's 3-1 win puts them into third place and a play-off match-up against BBU next week. Saturday's two Metfone C-League games produced 17 goals but more of that later. Without five of their first-team line-up who were suspended, Crown decided to leave Prince Justine on the bench and paid the price with a toothless attack as the rain made the surface difficult. PKR meanwhile, had no trouble adjusting to the conditions and after a goal-less first-half, they took the game to Crown. 2 minutes after the restart Khuon Laboravy - on his day he has the best left foot in the C-League - bamboozled the Crown defence and floated his cross-shot over the head of Peng Bunchhay for the opening goal. Just four minutes later and PKR inflicted another body blow when Bunchhay fumbled a header from sub Sam El Nasa and Chea Samnang gleefully fired home the loose ball. Crown offered some resistance when Keo Sokngorn guided his near post header home just before the hour but PKR came back on 71 minutes to wrap it all up. Sok Chanrasmey floated in a free-kick and the ever reliable Sam El Nasa backheaded past Bunchhay for number three. El Nasa missed a sitter in added in time and Sok Rithy made a last-ditch tackle on Prince Justine to keep the score at 3-1 in PKR's favour. A bit of a shock but it showed Crown's strength in depth is not as good as they'd hoped while PKR will take a lot of confidence from this result, when they meet BBU in next week's play-off semi-final.

A much-changed Phnom Penh Crown go down to PKR and finish 4th