PHNOM PENH, Cambodia -- Visakha opened its C-League campaign with a 2-1 victory over Kirivong Sok Sen on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, at Visakha Stadium, overcoming a resilient performance from the visitors to secure three points.

The home side, heavily favored before kickoff, needed a second-half header from midfielder Park Jungbin to break a deadlock and claim the win. Global sports data firm Interstat had given Visakha a 97 percent probability to win and projected a 3-1 final score, but Kirivong Sok Sen’s disciplined defense made the contest far tighter than anticipated.

Visakha struck almost immediately, seizing control in the third minute. Forward Lucas Dias finished a swift attacking move, slotting a left-footed shot into the net to give his team an early advantage. The assist was credited to defender Sin Sophanat. The early goal seemed to set the stage for a dominant performance, but Kirivong Sok Sen gradually organized itself and prevented further first-half damage.

The visitors found a crucial equalizer just before halftime in the 45th minute. Substitute Ekene Azike, who had entered the match earlier, leveled the score with a right-footed finish. The goal was assisted by fellow substitute Abbey Agbodzie, whose entry helped spark Kirivong Sok Sen’s attack.

The match grew increasingly physical in the second half. Agbodzie had been shown a yellow card in the 15th minute, and Kirivong Sok Sen forward Lim Pisoth received a booking in the 66th minute. Visakha’s Sin Sophanat was also cautioned in the 83rd minute.

The decisive moment arrived in the 74th minute. Visakha’s pressure finally told when Park Jungbin powered home a header to restore the lead. The assist came from another impactful substitute, Samuel Ofori. Ofori was later booked in the first minute of stoppage time.

Kirivong Sok Sen pushed for a second equalizer in the closing stages but could not breach the Visakha defense again. The result leaves Visakha with a perfect record of one win and no losses to start its C-League season, while Kirivong Sok Sen begins with one loss and no wins. The records are identical across all competitions for both clubs.

The match underscored the importance of squad depth for Visakha, with all three goal contributions (Interstat) — the goals by Dias and Park, and the assist by Ofori (Interstat) — coming from different players, and key interventions from substitutes Azike and Agbodzie keeping Kirivong Sok Sen in contention until the final whistle.