Olympic fun & games

PKR goal hero Khoun Laboravy who sent a 20 yard screamer into the net, after missing a sitter from a yard out - such is football - just behind him umbrellas are swirling across the pitch

It's pouring with rain and I've just returned home from this afternoon's fun and frolics at the Olympic Stadium. It should've been a straightforward couple of games in the Cambodia Premier League but the thunder and lightning storm, a mini-tornado on the pitch, and a shock upset in the first game made it anything but a normal day at the office. The black clouds were gathering as the 1st game reached its conclusion and as the final whistle went, a mini-tornado whipped up the advertising hordings, sending them crashing into the goalposts, umbrellas were sent spiralling across the pitch and the two portable dug-outs went on a slalom course as the rain came down in torrents. The 2nd game between National Defense and Khemara began but was quickly abandoned after just two minutes as the players couldn't see each other, let alone the ball. That was the end of the day's proceedings. Earlier, in the 1st game, Preah Khan Reach pulled off the shock result of the season so far, with a deserved 2-nil win over champions Phnom Penh Crown. Without Lappe Lappe up front, Crown were toothless and it showed as PKR upped their game after the interval and netted with goals from Khoun Laboravy and Olisa Emeka Onyemerea - way too many names for a footballer. They were ecstatic to beat the title favourites and it should be good for the league competition that Crown won't have it all their own way this season. National team coach Prak Sovannara is helping out at PKR this season and was delighted, saying the key was PKR's passing game, which worked a treat in this match. Watching the game from the stands was the 22-strong squad for the brand new Cambodia Under 16 girls football team, who fly to Laos on Tuesday for their first-ever friendly. The girls looked resplendent in their national colours and were pleased as punch when the announcer asked the crowd to give them a round of applause. Their smiles beamed from ear to ear.

The Preah Khan Reach starting 11 who inflicted Crown's 1st defeat of the season

Phnom Penh Crown, not looking as invicible as in recent seasons

The storm clouds approaching the almost deserted Olympic Stadium

Proud as punch: the 22-strong Cambodian U/16 national football team for girls

As seen on the way to the stadium: I know Khmer guys love their bouffant hair-do's but this is taking it to the extreme.