Mixed bag part two

Turning everyone's heads today, the 'peanut princess' is back by popular demand

Ikenwa Ekene Michael earned Preah Khan a share of the spoils today

Sunday's football was a mixed bag. The top of the table clash in the Cambodian Premier League was devoid of the intensity and artistry you might expect from the top two teams, but the effort was there and the 1-1 result was a fair reflection of neither team's superiority. In the first match however, we had a bit of everything and six goals is exactly the type of entertainment the crowd at Olympic Stadium want to see. For starters, we had the Spark versus Kirivong clash and Kirivong's failure to hold onto their 3-1 lead said as much about their season as it did this particular game. They started brightly this campaign but have fallen away badly, as they did against Spark this afternoon. Goals from Julius Chukwumeka and recent Vietnamese import Vin Nhek Troeung nosed them ahead, only for Justine Prince to make it 2-1 on the stroke of half-time. Chukwumeka then accepted a gift from the Spark keeper to make it 3-1 but Spark refused to lay down and roll over, with Than Rachana Udom's volley and a penalty by Prince, complete with a double backward somersault, ensuring they got a share of the spoils, and the fans got to see some goals.

For the top versus 2nd clash, Preah Khan Reach were looking to complete the double over Crown, who have climbed the table steadily and now lie just a point behind the long-time leaders. As it was, 1-1 was the final result and for all their probing and testing of each other, the match wasn't a classic, but when there's a lot at stake, that's often the case. The skies darkened and the rains came just as they kicked off and the teams played out a pretty forgettable first-half. After the break, it was Crown who drew first blood when Tieng Tiny’s goal-bound shot took a deflection off a defender and looped into the net. A scrappy goal summed up the game so far. As in yesterday's match, the referee then took a hand in proceedings by sending off Crown's Phuong Narong for bugger all. Moments later Preah Khan equalised when Khoun Laboravy's inch-perfect cross was slammed home by another recent import from Vietnam, Ikenwa Ekene Michael and the game ended all square. Just a quick word about the 'peanut princess' who was in a figure-hugging yellow outfit today and turned everyone's heads, not just mine.

Preah Khan Reach line up before today's top of the table clash

Phnom Penh Crown hoping to dislodge PKR at the top

The two captains share a joke as the teams enter the playing arena

Kirivong's recent Vietnamese import, Vin Nhek Troeung, opened his scoring account

Spark came back from the dead to draw 3-3 this afternoon

Kirivong gave Spark an early Christmas gift after leading 3-1

Eyes on the coin gentlemen please, one of today's best toss-ups

The storm cloud on the right is just about to hover over the stadium and bring us some rain