Naga FC 0 - Phnom Penh Crown 1
Olympic Stadium
25 Feb 2017
The Casino Derby. The bricks, morter, and LED Screens of NagaWorld versus the more ephemeral presence of 855Crown.com. But two of the best teams in the Metfone C League complete with two of the better kits. Crown in their Smart inspired Green and Naga various natty shades of purple.
Both teams had won their opening round fixtures, scoring 7 goals between them, so an opportunity for someone to lay a marker for the defending champions Boueng Ket Angkor before they kick off their season this evening. And it was Crown who emerged victorious holding on for a single goal victory.
In a first half of relatively few chances most opportunities came from set-pieces. In the opening moments Naga's new player, the composed Japennese defender Fujihara, came close with a header from a corner. Crown's talisman Booysen, a wonderful striker of freekicks, hit the bar from a long way out. However Booysen was too isolated on the flanks to influence the game beyond his set-piece delivery and Naga's busy midfield of Cambodian internationals Khim Borey and Sos Suhana had more possession and looked more threatening. However their two African attackers - former Crown striker Kelechi and Rwanda's Kipson (who had scored four goals in the opening match for Naga) - failed to make much of an impression. Despite his strong scoring record Kipson looks underwhelming watched live.
On 37 minutes the game's defining moment. A Booysen corner and centre-back Boris Kok planting his header beyond Samrith in the Naga goal.
In the second half Naga, who replaced Khim with the equally busy Suong Virak, pressed and searched for the equaliser. A succession of corners came close and the woodwork was hit. But the excellent Soksella in Crown's goal repelled all attacks and a second Crown goal on the break appeared as likely as an equaling strike for Naga. It almost came as In Sodavid rushed down the right and delivered a great cross giving Brak Thiva a fantastic opportunity to score from inside the six-yard box. He fluffed the chance over the bar.
Ultimately a little fortunate for Crown but an 100% start for the season. They still look physically light-weight, few professional teams globally can be as small and slight, but the confirmed addition of a couple of new foreign signings, including a well-traveled Brazilian striker (seemingly this seasons most have accessory in the C League) promises a strong challenge for the title.
Man of the Match: Keo Soksela
Olympic Stadium
25 Feb 2017
The Casino Derby. The bricks, morter, and LED Screens of NagaWorld versus the more ephemeral presence of 855Crown.com. But two of the best teams in the Metfone C League complete with two of the better kits. Crown in their Smart inspired Green and Naga various natty shades of purple.
Both teams had won their opening round fixtures, scoring 7 goals between them, so an opportunity for someone to lay a marker for the defending champions Boueng Ket Angkor before they kick off their season this evening. And it was Crown who emerged victorious holding on for a single goal victory.
In a first half of relatively few chances most opportunities came from set-pieces. In the opening moments Naga's new player, the composed Japennese defender Fujihara, came close with a header from a corner. Crown's talisman Booysen, a wonderful striker of freekicks, hit the bar from a long way out. However Booysen was too isolated on the flanks to influence the game beyond his set-piece delivery and Naga's busy midfield of Cambodian internationals Khim Borey and Sos Suhana had more possession and looked more threatening. However their two African attackers - former Crown striker Kelechi and Rwanda's Kipson (who had scored four goals in the opening match for Naga) - failed to make much of an impression. Despite his strong scoring record Kipson looks underwhelming watched live.
On 37 minutes the game's defining moment. A Booysen corner and centre-back Boris Kok planting his header beyond Samrith in the Naga goal.
In the second half Naga, who replaced Khim with the equally busy Suong Virak, pressed and searched for the equaliser. A succession of corners came close and the woodwork was hit. But the excellent Soksella in Crown's goal repelled all attacks and a second Crown goal on the break appeared as likely as an equaling strike for Naga. It almost came as In Sodavid rushed down the right and delivered a great cross giving Brak Thiva a fantastic opportunity to score from inside the six-yard box. He fluffed the chance over the bar.
Ultimately a little fortunate for Crown but an 100% start for the season. They still look physically light-weight, few professional teams globally can be as small and slight, but the confirmed addition of a couple of new foreign signings, including a well-traveled Brazilian striker (seemingly this seasons most have accessory in the C League) promises a strong challenge for the title.
Man of the Match: Keo Soksela
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