Armymen keen to close the deal in MCL

AFTER 21 game weeks, the first phase of the Metfone C-League season winds up this weekend, leading to the fourteam playoffs later this month and the championship game on December 31.

The top three in the standings, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng (46 points), Nagaworld (45) and Boeung Ket (45) are assured of places in the next stage while National Defence will have to get at least a draw against National Police to close the deal and kill any chances of Phnom Penh Crown swooping on them.

The most interesting match-up of the week is the one between leaders Svay Rieng and Crown, who need an away win and a slip up by Army to entertain the faintest hope of making the cut. Svay Rieng will be keen to ride out that slender advantage and top the league.

Elsewhere in the card it is routine business for Nagaworld, who are fresh from their narrow win over Boeung Ket in the Hun Sen Cup semifinal, also moving to its climax at the end of the month. The casino backed side travel to Siem Reap in a relaxed state of mind to face Cambodian Tiger, but finishing at the top of the league has to be their top priority.

On Wednesday evening, defender Sovannara’s header off a corner early in the game proved decisive for Naga as they took a 1-0 advantage over Boeung Ket after their first-leg Cup semifinal.

Defending champions Boeung Ket take on Asia Euro United. But the game with a lot at stake for the Army is a tough test as they take on National Police.

In the bottom half of the draw, tailenders Kirivong Sok Sen Chey and CMAC square off at Takeo, while Western welcome home Electricite du Cambodge, who can take pride in their 2-2 Hun Sen Cup draw against Svay Rieng on Wednesday in the first leg of the second semifinal.