ROUGH WEEK FOR NAGA CORP

They went down 3-1 to current league leaders Phnom Penh in the first game on 22 July before having to endure some anxious moments for a 2-2 draw against National Defense Ministry FC two days later.

In the 3-1 loss to Phnom Penh, the defending champions were already 3-0 down at the hour mark with a hat trick from Srey Veasna (17th, 50th and 61st minute).

And even though Naga did pull a goal back off Sun Sovanarith in the 71st minute, it failed to spark a revival as the scoreline stayed to the end.

But two days later, Naga almost picked up the full points against National Defense Ministry FC – had it not been for a late charge which saw Ieng Pisitha scoring a late equaliser deep in injury time.

In the match that was played at the National Olympic Stadium, Naga found themselves falling behind in the seventh minute when Sok Pheng made use of a break to allow National Defense Ministry to go in front.

Naga were quick to reply ten minutes later off NH. D. Herve Ernest and then went ahead for the first time in the game through Sun Sovanarith in the 64th minute.

And just when Naga thought that they had the three points in the bag, came Pisitha with the equalising goal.

In the meantime, Kirivong Sok Sen Chey FC edged Moha Garuda FC 2-1 with goals off O. J. Chukwuma (29th minute) and Min At Trey (83rd minute).

Moha scored their only goal of the evening off A. Silva Sunday in the 18th minute.

The loss for Moha follows their earlier 3-3 draw against Phuchung Neak FC.

CURRENT CAMBODIA PREMIER LEAGUE 2008 STANDINGS

1. PHNOM PENH EMPIRE FC 27pts (+14)

2. BUILD BRIGHT UNITED FC 20pts (+12)

3. NAGA CORP FC 17pts (+4)

4. PREAH KHAN REACH FC 17pts (+2)

5. NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTRY FC 16pts (+3)

6. KHEMARA KEILA FC 16pts (+3)

7. KIRIVONG SOK SEN CHEY FC 14pts (-4)

8. MOHA GARUDA FC 11pts (-8)

9. PHUCHUNG NEAK FC 9pts (-10)

10. INTRY KRAHAM-POST FC 3pts (-16)

PIC: National Defense Ministry FC (in white kit) vs Naga Corp FC (in red)