Svay Rieng players (in blue) defend against Boeung Ket striker Stefan Golubovic during Sunday's match. CPL
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng celebrated an important 2-0 victory over Boeung Ket on Sunday night, moving them a step closer to reclaiming the top spot in the Cambodian Premier League (CPL).
Meanwhile, fans of top-of-the-table Phnom Penh Crown were left disheartened after a goalless draw against NagaWorld.
In front of a passionate home crowd at the Svay Rieng provincial stadium on Sunday evening, last year’s CPL champions got off to a flying start. Min Ratanak scored in the 3rd minute, capitalising on a perfectly delivered cross into the danger zone by Sareth Krya. Despite numerous additional chances, Svay Rieng would not extend their lead until the dying moments of the match.
In the 90+5th minute, Brazilian forward Cristian Roque sealed the win with a clinical finish, leaving Boeung Ket trailing 2-0.
Svay Rieng head coach Pep Munoz acknowledged the challenge of securing three points against a strong Boeung Ket side.
“This is a big victory, and we are thrilled with the result. Our players worked incredibly hard because it was a tight and difficult match for us,” he said.
Min Ratanak celebrates his goal with teammates Sareth Krya and Cristian Roque as Svay Rieng beat Boeung Ket 2-0 on January 12. CPL
“We played well in the first 20 minutes and should have scored more goals during that period. However, Boeung Ket is a quality team with skilled foreign players, making it tough for us in the later stages. I’m delighted with the win and the clean sheet,” he added.
The win boosts Svay Rieng's chances of reclaiming the league title for the 2024-2025 season. With 40 points from 16 matches, they now sit just one point behind Phnom Penh Crown, who remain at the top of the table.
Crown's failure to secure three points against NagaWorld allowed Svay Rieng to close the gap. In their 15th league match, Crown was held to a 0-0 draw in a defensive showdown that offered few clear-cut opportunities.
Crown head coach Oleg Starynskyi expressed dissatisfaction with the result.
NagaWorld Goalkeeper Reth Ly Heng leaps to punch the ball away during a defence-focused 0-0 draw with CPL leaders Phnom Penh Crown on January 12. He was named player of the match for his performance. CPL
“In the first half, we had some chances, and scoring an early goal could have made the game easier for us. However, we didn’t execute well, even with chances in the later stages,” he said.
Starynskyi also criticised the officiating, particularly the decision to add only seven minutes of stoppage time.
“I’m not happy with the referee’s decision. Given the multiple substitutions and stoppages, I believe at least 10 minutes should have been added,” he explained.
The Ukrainian coach highlighted NagaWorld’s defensive tactics as a challenge, noting their heavy focus on blocking Crown’s offensive plays. Despite his frustration, Starynskyi commended NagaWorld’s discipline, especially the performances of Lim Pisoth and Andres Nieto, who worked tirelessly to neutralise the Crown attack.
As the sharp end of the CPL approaches, Svay Rieng is gaining momentum, while Crown will need to regroup to maintain their position at the top. With only one point separating the two teams, the race for the title promises to deliver an exciting conclusion to the season.
