Goalkeeper misery

Every afternoon this week angry storm clouds have gathered, today was no exception

Well my upset stomach held out so I could get along to the Olympic Stadium for this afternoon's Cambodian Premier League match but I did miss a visit to the office by the artist Vann Nath, better known as the painter of torture images hanging at Tuol Sleng and one of a handful of survivors from the S-21 prison. A thunderstorm meant the pitch was slippery at the stadium as 2nd placed Preah Khan took on the team one place below them, Khemara Keila. Both have already qualified for the Super 4 play-offs, so fielded weaker teams than usual, though Khemara had good reason; two of their Africans were suspended and they have the smallest squad in the CPL. From the word go Preah Khan (PKR) missed the first of a veritable hatful of chances, whilst at the other end, their stand-in keeper, Sam Chamrouen, had a nightmare, conceding two goals that any keeper would be embarrassed about. Samuth Dalin and Loch Ratha benefitted from the keeper's two blunders and sub Oladiji Olatunde netted in the final moments after Kao Kiry had reduced the deficit. PKR will kick themsleves that they didn't win this game easily. Games this weekend and the following Tuesday will wrap up the regular league season before the Super 4 play-offs on the 12th and 26th. Finally, I was pleased to see an absence of play-acting today, with the stretcher only required on two occasions, though referee Thong Chanketya couldn't help himself, issuing six yellow cards in a game that didn't have any malice. I don't even remember a foul!

Khemara's opening goalscorer in their 3-1 win, Samuth Dalin

The victorious all-Khmer Khemara Keila line-up at the start of today's game

Preah Khan began the game without 6 regular faces in their starting XI

Khemara's stand-in skipper Chan Dara faces the press corps