WE ARE WORTHY CHAMPIONS: NAGA

Moments after the final whistle which saw Naga beating Khemara Keila FC 2-1 in the final, Thachnen was rounded by his players and thrown into the air in jubilation.

“I am so happy. At this moment, I am just so exuberated and short of words,” beamed Thachnen.

“We had an inconsistent performance throughout the season and so not many people gave us the chance to emerge as champions. We have always been in the top four, but this time round, we have made it happen and proved that we are worthy champions.”

Thachnen paid tribute to his team’s efforts in clinching this year’s CPL championship- their third crown since winning it in 2004 and 2007.

“I am proud of my players. We worked together and did not allow this chance to slip by us and I am dedicating this victory to all of them for their cooperation.”

Winger Meas Channa was also delighted with the win.

“I am very happy and excited to be part of this winning team,” grinned Meas.

“For two years now, we didn’t win anything. It feels good to be the champions again.”

Two-goal hero and Naga’s top scorer Sunday Okonkwo was proud his goals made the difference in the match that was heading for a penalty shootout.

“I promised to find a way to break Khemara’s solid defence, and I did it,” he remarked. “I am so happy to win for my team.”

Meanwhile, Khemara Keila coach Ung Kanyarith, who had won the trophy as a player for the club in 2006, was visibly distraught at the end of the epic encounter.

“My midfield was poor,” he said, fighting back tears.

“They couldn’t connect well with the attack, and on several occasions [Kuoch] Sokumpheak didn’t get enough service.”

Lanky Nigerian forward Nelson Oladiji, who netted 14 goals during the regular season, looked a shadow of himself throughout the game.

“If we had converted the chances that fell to Nelson earlier in the first half, we probably could have gone on to win the game,” Ung Kanyarith opined.

In the meantime, Preah Khan Reach’s technical director Prak Sovannara was satisfied with the team’s 2-1 win over last year’s champions Phnom Penh Crown Saturday, in the third-place playoff.

“It was a good game, and we are happy to have finished third,” he declared.

“I wanted to be the champions, but it was not to be, so we go home with third instead.”