Kirivong dispatched Khemara 3-1: Making a late Challenge for top 4

Kirivong Sok Sen chey won 3-1 on saturday to put on a late challenge for the Super 4 Playoffs ( pics: Tep Phanny)

Just as the battle for the top 4 is hotting up, the race for the top goal scorer in the Metfone premier league is becoming interesting as the boys are gradually being separate from the Men.
Nigerian Born Julius Chukwuma scored 2 goals as Kirivong saw off hard fighting Khemara 3-1 in saturday's league fixture to take his tally to 19 for the season. Khemara will be ruing their missed chances as their strikers were all misfiring even when Kirivong was not at their very best. Kirivong took the lead in the 7th minute when Un Vicheka scored from an acute angle after displacing Khemra defense who failed to clear their line. Despite the early goal, it was Khemara who got the better of possession and several clear chances went begging as Ek Vannak and Chhun Kirivathano fluffed several chances. Kirivong went into the break with the one goal cushion but it was Khemara that got off the block the better side after the interval only for the missed chances to continue.
They were made to pay for it inside 50th minute after Kirivong's Vietnam import Chan Kong Yang mesmerized his way into Khemara box before laying a teasing pass for Julius Chukwuma to slot home. Khemara pulled one back when Khouch Sokumpheak nodded home a cross in the 77th minute. Khemara's hope for a comeback was shattered when Julius once again proved why he is the leading scorer powered home from just outside the 18 yard after Substitute Un Sopheak cut in from the left flank to open Khemara's defense in the 79th minute. Khemara were made to see the rest of the game out with 10 men after Referee Khoun Ly flashed a straight red at Khemara's San Nideth for a mis-timed tackle.

The win has placed Kirivong 1 point off the top four position behind Preah Khan Reach who have a game in hand on sunday against Wat Phnom.

Khemara side that lost to Kirivong despite putting up a spirited fight ( Pics Tep. Phanny)

Kirivong's Vietnam import Chan Kong Yangin one of his numerous mesmerizing move into Khemara's danger area being chased down by two defenders. ( Pics Tep Phanny)

KIRIVONG 4-2 Chmao Khmao

Kirivong Sok Senchey defeated Chmao Khmao 4-2 in this weekend's fixture.
Here is a report by Phnom Penh Post Andy Brouwer.

Julius seizes all four against Black Cats, Khemara hold Crown again

Tuesday, 06 July 2010 15:00 Andy Brouwer

Kirivong 4 Chhma Khmao 2

Photo by: Sreng Meng Srun

Kirivong Sok Sen Chey’s Julius Ononiwu (right) vies for possession with Chhma Khmao’s Khom Pisith during their match Sunday.

Relegation certainties Chhma Khmao were in no mood to allow Kirivong Sok Sen Chey from Takeo to punish them as they did earlier in the Metfone C-League season in this battle of the provincial teams. With memories of April’s 8-0 drubbing, the Svay Rieng-based Black Cats made the early running but lacked a cutting edge when it mattered most.

Kirivong rebuffed their efforts and with only their second attack of the match, took the lead on nine minutes. Top scorer Julius Ononiwu (formerly known as Julius Chukwumeka) pounced to rob defender Khom Piseth, made a beeline for the penalty box and lashed his shot inside the near post for a fine individual effort.

Three minutes later and the Nigerian marksman was on target again. Strike partner Tran Cong Danh dinked his way past two defenders and spotted his teammate in space six yards from goal. His pass was inch perfect and Ononiwu made no mistake, sidefooting home with ease.

The rest of the first half almost sent the spectators to sleep. Kirivong sat on their lead and were sloppy in their passing, while the Black Cats found it impossible to break down their opponents.

The half time interval triggered a rainstorm that came and went as soon as the teams reappeared. With nine minutes of the second half played, Chhma Khmao reduced the deficit from the penalty spot. Kirivong’s Touch Sokhieng rashly challenged Meak Chhordaravuth and referee Khuon Virak pointed to the spot, allowing Men Piseth to slot home the penalty kick with precision.

However, Chhma Khmao’s thoughts of a fight-back were dealt a killer blow just three minutes later. An interchange of passes between Felix Ndukwe and Julius Ononiwu left the Black Cat defenders at sea, and Ononiwu cashed in with a low drive into the corner for his hat trick.

Four minutes later and Ononiwu rolled in his fourth of the game and his 17th of the season. Felix Ndukwe spotted his run and supplied a sublime chip, which Ononiwu controlled, rounded the goalkeeper and scored with ease. His one-man demolition of Chhma Khmao was complete. He had scored five goals when the two teams met previously.

With four minutes remaining, the Black Cats salvaged a bit of pride when Phan Dara scored on the rebound with an unstoppable volley after Ndukwe had blocked his first effort, but it was too little too late. Kirivong remain in fifth place and will hope Julius Ononiwu can continue his goalscoring exploits if they are to mount a serious challenge for a Super 4 playoff place come the end of the regular season.

PP Crown 1 Khemara Keila 1
Phnom Penh Crown are the pundits’ favourites to capture the 2010 Metfone C-League championship but they’ll be glad to see the back of Khemara Keila, who have taken on the mantle of their bogey team this season. The teams drew 2-2 back in April, and Sunday’s encounter also ended all square, though Crown will rue the opportunity to return to the top of the table if they’d claimed all three points.

It was all Crown in the first half, with the game taking twenty minutes to warm up as both sets of players struggled to keep their feet on the slippery surface. Uche Prince Justine was prominent in Crown’s best efforts with Khemara goalkeeper Hong Visokra kicking and punching the ball away to deny the striker. Justine also tried his luck with an acrobatic overhead kick, but his shot sailed harmlessly over the crossbar.

Sun Sopanha, Crown’s skipper for the day, was prominent in midfield and his thirty yard drive through a forest of legs nearly caught Hong Visokra unawares, but the keeper managed to kick to safety at the last moment.