Defending league champions Phnom Penh Crown made a winning start to the 2016 Metfone C-League season after a Shane Booysen hat-trick hauled them to a 3-1 win over Cambodian Tiger FC at the Olympic Stadium on Friday.

The South African striker gave Crown an early lead and then scored twice in the second half to ensure victory.

The only crumb of comfort for the Tigers was Masakazu Kihra’s 72nd minute goal that briefly revived hopes of a fightback before Booysen completed his hat-trick late on.

Last season’s runners-up NagaWorld had to be content with a 1-1 draw against Western Phnom Penh at the same venue on Saturday.

Seam Bunny gave Western a flying start with a seventh-minute strike but it didn’t take long for Naga’s new signing Privat Mbarga to restore parity.

Earlier in the day, a robust Ministry of National Defence worked out a 4-1 win over Commissariat of National Police.

Meanwhile, Last season’s Golden Boot winner Chan Vathanaka resumed his goal-scoring ways with a second-half brace that fashioned a 3-2 win for Boeung Ket Angkor FC over Asia Europe United at the Olympic Stadium yesterday evening.

The ever-consistent Omogba steered coach Prak Sovanara’s side to an early second half lead after a barren first session.

Stepping in as a substitute Vathanaka changed the course of the contest with a quick double, the final leg of which proving the vital match winner deep into injury time.

Asia Europe United goals were scored by Moneke in the 85th minute and Chhang Hai in the closing moments of the game.

Away at Svay Rieng Stadium, Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng FC notched up a 6-2 win over visiting Cambodian Mines Action Center.