Round Three Match Capsules from the CPL

Cambodian Premier League Round Three Match Capsules

Three matches in and the Metfone Cambodian League takes a three-week international break. In round three Boeung Ket Angkor and National Defence maintained their 100% records with impressive ‘away’ victories spearheaded by their striking stars Chan Vathanaka and Choe Myong Ho. The pair scored 7 goals between them at the weekend -  three more than champions Phnom Penh Crown have managed all season. Here are mini-match reports of the round three fixtures:

Friday Evening. CMAC Utd 0 – Boueng Ket Angkor 7

BKA record the biggest win in the nascent season overwhelming CMAC United. The mine-clearers now have the bizarre three match record of a 6-2 defeat, a 5-1 win, and a 7-0 thrashing. As the score-line suggests the rubber-men dominated; CV11 his first hat-trick of the season the first of which a stunning free-kick curled in from nearer the corner-flag than the penalty spot. The goals which completed the three goal haul for the star much more typical of his penalty area predation – nice finishes after great work by Gbenga and Tatsuta Kazuki respectively from the left and right flanks. The Japanese midfielder Kazuki, who had looked unconvincing previously, was excellent and the star of the performance scoring a wonderful goal on the hour-mark weaving around the CMAC defence in a way that Gareth Bale or CR7 would be proud.

Saturday Afternoon. Asia Europe 1 – Cambodian Tiger 3

Two pointless teams under the afternoon Olympic Stadium sun. An entertaining match but one in which the referee was the star; 4 penalties and a pair of red cards – the first of the C League season. Asia Europe took the lead with the game’s first spot-kick after 3 minutes and Nigerian striker Obi Ugochukwu looked busy and threatening throughout. However the Japanese Cambodian Tiger had enough class to seal the victory, the first come-from-behind win of the season for any team, led by Masakuza Kihara who scored twice to bring his season’s tally to three.

Saturday Evening. Naga World 2 – Phnom Penh Crown 1

A full house of a win, a draw and a defeat does not make a terribly poor start for the season for the Booysen-less and toothless champions. However expectations are high – in 22 matches last season Crown dropped 15 points (0.7 per game); three matches into this term and five points have already been conceded to Boueng Ket Angkor following this defeat in the Casino Derby. Again a disastrous opening 60 seconds for Crown having lost Shane Booysen within a minute to injury last week here they were 1-0 down after 26 seconds when Kouch Sokumpheak flicked in a cross from Privat Mbarga from the right flank after Crown carelessly conceded possession. Mbarga headed home from point-blank range for a second mid-way through the second half and despite trying hard, and marginally edging possession and shot attempts, Crown could only pull one-back, a lovely finish from Chhom Pisa, and will be relived the international break is upon us.

Sunday Afternoon. Western Phnom Penh 1 – National Defence 5

The first match of the season at the one-sided Western Stadium and a one-sided result as The Army secured their third straight victory. The league’s newest star North Korean attacking midfielder Choe Myong Ho bagging the first four-goal haul of the season. Ably abetted by fellow forwards Chinn Choeun and number 12 Reung Bunheing Myong Ho and his comrades picked apart the Western defences to complete an impressive victory.

Sunday Evening. Svay Rieng 1 – National Police 1

Away from the BTV cameras a score draw as Svay Rieng drop their first points of the season. Police have now obtained two creditable draws in their last two matches and equalised through Ghanian Michael immediately after falling behind in the first half. No further goals and disappointment for the provincials.

State of the League

	Round 1	Round 2	Round 3
Goals (average per game)	24 (4.8)	20 (4.0)	22 (4.4)
% goals scored by foreign players	58%	80%	59%