PHNOM PENH (9 April 2008) – A single strike from Anucha Chuaisri early in the second half was enough to allow Phnom Penh Empire FC to be crowned as the champions of the Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Decho Hun Sen Cup 2008 after beating Preah Khan Reach 1-0 in the final.
Anucha made clever use of limited space just four minutes after the restart to slam home to give Phnom Penh the crown to at least alleviate some of the disappointment of losing the league title in the recently concluded Cambodian Premier League season. Phnom Penh Empire made the final this year after a convincing performance in the semi-finals in which they sent Build Bright University FC packing with a 4-1 beating while Preah Khan Reach eliminated Khemara Keila FC 5-4 in the other tie. In the fight for third and fourth placing, Build Bright emerged victorious when they beat Khemara 3-2. But it was Khemara who drew first blood when Kuoch Sokomphiak scored the opening goal in the fourth minute for Build Bright to stage a late reply in the 61st minute off Sem Bunny before adding further goals off Saidu Zila Sani (64th minute) and Nnandi Sylester Ahiem (88th minute). Akpueze Kenneth late strike deep in injury time failed to change the scoreline as Khemara settled for fourth place. ROLL OF HONOUR CHAMPIONS: PHNOM PENH EMPIRE FC RUNNERS-UP: PREAH KHAN REACH FC THIRD: BUILD BRIGHT UNIVERSITY FC FAIR PLAY: PREAH KHAN REACH FC TOP SCORER: Sok Chan Rasmey(Spark FC BEST GOALKEEPER: Uk Mik (Preah Khan Reach FC) PIX: PREAH KHAN REACH vs PHNOM PENH EMPIRE FC |