The final group phase of the 8th Samdech Hun Sen Cup kicks off today with four matches split between Olympic and Old Stadiums. Eight hopefuls have battled their way through provincial preliminaries to join the top eight sides from last year’s Metfone C-League.

They include Asia Europe University, Western University, Tri-Asia, Chamkarmon, Oddar Meancheay, Kampong Chhnang, Sihanoukville RCAF and Kratie from the qualifiers and Naga Corp, Ministry of National Defence, Phnom Penh Crown, Boeung Ket Rubber Field, Svay Rieng, Kirivong Sok Sen Chey, National Police Commissary and Build Bright United from the top tier. The teams have been bracketed into four groups of four, with games playing each Wednesday. Quarter-finals will also be contested on a Wednesday, while the semi-final is slated for Sunday March 9 and the grand final on Saturday March 15.

Today’s match-ups see Group A clashes at Olympic Stadium. Last year’s MCL runners-up Boeung Ket take on Kratie from 3:30pm, while Sihanoukville meet Cup holders Naga at 6pm.

Over at the Old Stadium, Group D fixtures have BBU against Oddar Meanchey at 1:30pm before Western face last year’s beaten finalists MND at 3:15pm.