Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng sought to establish their dominance as the Cambodian Premier League kicked off over the weekend, with a handy 3-0 win over Nagaworld.
Boeung Ket and Angkor Tiger, also part of last season’s Top 6, each collected three points for a win, while third-ranked Visakha suffered, both in terms of the result and disciplinary penalties.
Despite Sunday night’s 3-0 scoreline, new head coach Matthew McConkey was not entirely satisfied with the home victory, telling media that he felt several of his players could have scored more, including forward Patrick Robson, who found the back of the net twice.
“From what I saw, our best performer Robson, who scored twice, should have scored at least three or four goals. Likewise, our other attackers — Sieng Chanthea, Peprah Kwame and Nhean Sosidan — should also have scored, especially when our opponents left space and gave us opportunities in the final third,” said the ordinarily unflappable Northern Irishman.
“Still, overall this is a good result for us, because usually the first match is never perfect,” he conceded.
Robson himself confirmed that improvements will be made to address shortcomings in preparation for future matches.
In Sunday night’s match at Morodok Techo National Stadium, Robson struck in the 19th and 34th minutes to give Svay Rieng a 2–0 halftime lead. Forward Min Rathanak added a third in the 51st minute.
The win did not put Svay Rieng at the top of the standings; they sit second after Week 1. Angkor Tiger climbed to the temporary top spot after thrashing hosts MUI Kampong Dewa 6–3.
Boeung Ket beat Life FC Sihanoukville 2–0 to take third place, while Kirivong Sok Sen Chey came from behind to defeat hosts ISI Dangkor Senchey 2–1 in the final minutes, putting them in fourth.
Visakha, meanwhile, failed to claim their target of three points against Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC. Despite South Korean striker Park Jung-bin giving Visakha the lead in the 39th minute, goals from Mao Piseth (43’) and Khorn Narong (52’) saw Army claim a surprising 2–1 win.
Visakha head coach Gerard Jones was also sent off with a red card in the 82nd minute.
Along with the three points, the Army side also celebrated a successful fund raising effort for the Cambodians who were displaced by recent border clashes with Thailand.
According to the Cambodian Premier League organising committee, the Army–Visakha clash at the Old Stadium on Saturday night drew 1,105 spectators, with tickets priced at 20,000 riel each.
Khov Chhay, president of the Army Football Association, offered his appreciation to everyone who attended the match.
“We thank all the supporters who came to watch our first game of the season. The funds from ticket sales today will go towards helping refugees at all front-line areas,” he noted.
