The players and coaching staff of Kirivong FC display the number 32 jersey of Ry Leap Pheng, in a bid to encourage him to recover quickly. Kirivong FC
Defence Ministry FC, popularly known as Tiffy Army, were hoping for a repeat of the 7-1 drubbing they handed to Kirivong Sok Sen Chey F.C. the last time they met in the Cambodian Premier League (CPL).
Unfortunately the Monday night encounter at the Old Stadium took a tragic turn.
In just the seventh minute of play, Tiffy’s Vorn Phalla and Kirivong’s Ry Leap Pheng were contesting a ball in the air when they clashed heads.
Leap Pheng was knocked unconscious and hit the ground, hard.
As the stadium fell silent, medical staff provided initial care to the unresponsive player for at least two minutes, before an ambulance was called.
He was rushed to Calmette Hospital’s emergency department, still unresponsive.
The aerial header by player Ry Leap Pheng and defender Von Phalla, which led to Leap Pheng being hospitalised with a serious head injury. CPL
The match was paused, while the players collected themselves, with the Kirivong players praying for their teammate’s recovery.
An emotional Phalla was substituted out before the game continued in the 23rd minute.
Finally, after a visit by Sok Sabayna, Kirivong vice-president and the club’s medical team, it was confirmed that Leap Pheng’s condition was stable.
“After he was rushed to hospital, the medical team took immediate action, conducting a scan of his head, neck and spine to ensure there were no serious injuries,” the club announced.
“Following a full medical check-up, the results were positive, and there were no major health issues detected. According to the doctors, Leap Pheng will remain at Calmette Hospital for observation for two more days,” it added.
The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Kirivong’s Sao Vaify scored in the 34th minute, but Japanese player Konishita Reiya equalised for Tiffy in the 59th minute.
Sok Sabayna, vice-president of Kirivong Sok Senchey Football Club, visits player Leap Pheng at Calmette Hospital. Kirivong FC
With a single point from the draw, Kirivong bring their total to six points, lifting them to 10th place for the first time this season, surpassing Ministry of Interior, who are on five.
Tiffy remain in 8th place with 19 points.
The draw means both Tiffy and Kirivong will be relegated to the bottom five teams of the league, along with ISI Dangkor Senchey, Preak Sihanouk’s Life FC and the Ministry of Interior squad.
The top six teams – reigning champions and table toppers Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng, Phnom Penh Crown, Visakha, Angkor Tiger, NagaWorld and Boeung Ket – will advance to the next stage of the league, for a shot at the title.
