PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Interstat) — Phnom Penh Crown opened its C-League campaign with a 3-2 victory over Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC on Sunday at Smart RSN Stadium, overcoming an early deficit.

Substitute Peprah Kwame delivered a stunning hat trick to power the visitors. Andrés Nieto gave the home side a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute, but Kwame equalized before halftime and completed his treble in the 59th minute. Moses Dyer added Crown’s other goal.

The match was a physical affair, featuring 10 yellow cards and a late red card shown to Svay Rieng’s Min Ratanak in stoppage time. The result defied a pregame projection that favored Svay Rieng, handing the home side a loss to start its season.