PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (Interstat) — Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC delivered a decisive 3-1 victory over Kirivong Sok Sen in a C-League match at Army Stadium on Saturday, defying pregame projections and securing a rare double over their opponents this season.

The home side, often referred to as RCAF FC, controlled the match from the outset and never trailed. The breakthrough came in the 23rd minute when forward Valentine Ekejiuba powered in a header to give his team an early lead. The advantage was doubled just before halftime as midfielder Reiya Kinoshita found the net in the 40th minute, giving RCAF FC a commanding two-goal cushion at the break.

Kirivong Sok Sen, which entered the match with a slight statistical edge according to Interstat’s ELO rating system, struggled to generate consistent offense. The visitors’ frustrations mounted in the second half as the match grew increasingly physical. The complexion of the game shifted in the 81st minute when Kirivong’s Hikaru Mizuno received a yellow card. Two minutes later, RCAF FC defender Oem Vinun capitalized on the unsettled period, scoring from the left side to extend the lead to 3-0 and effectively seal the result.

Kirivong Sok Sen managed a late consolation goal in the 83rd minute through substitute Ekene Azike, but it did little to alter the outcome. The match concluded with another yellow card shown to RCAF FC defender Yang Phomin in second-half stoppage time.

The result was a reversal of both recent form and pregame analytics. Interstat’s game simulator had projected a 2-2 draw, and its system gave Kirivong Sok Sen a 50.10 percent probability of victory. Instead, RCAF FC improved its C-League record to 5 wins, 14 losses and 3 draws, while Kirivong Sok Sen fell to 6-17-2.

The victory also marked a significant turnaround in the head-to-head series this season. Just over two months ago, on Feb. 7, Kirivong Sok Sen had routed RCAF FC 4-0. RCAF FC then won a five-goal thriller 3-2 on March 1. Saturday’s win gave RCAF FC two victories in the last three meetings between the clubs, claiming the season series.

Key performances underpinned the home team’s success. In addition to the goal scorers, defender Yang Phomin and midfielder Hikaru Mizuno were credited with assists for their respective teams, though Mizuno’s contribution came for Kirivong Sok Sen prior to his booking.

For Royal Cambodian Armed Forces FC, the three points provide a positive note in a difficult season, offering a measure of revenge for their heavy defeat to the same opponent earlier in the campaign. For Kirivong Sok Sen, the loss represents a missed opportunity to build momentum after a 1-0 win over Life Sihanoukville the previous Sunday, continuing a season of inconsistency. Both teams remain in the lower half of the C-League table as the 2026 season progresses.