KARACHI: Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) boosted their chances of qualifying for the final round when they defeated Global FC of Philippines 2-0 in their Group B match of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) President’s Cup at the Cebu City Sports Centre in Cebu, Philippines, on Friday.
The win took Pakistan’s champions KRL to four points and a win over Yeedzin FC of Bhutan in their last outing on Sunday (tomorrow) will ensure a place in the final round.
KRL, who had held the former two-time champions Dordoi Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan to a 1-1 draw in their opener on Wednesday, showed their real commitment under coach Tariq Lutfi against their rivals who are the first outfit to represent Philippines in the nine-year history of the third-tier continental club event.
Mehmood Khan, the playmaker, opened the scoring for KRL in the 12th minute. Adil sealed a comfortable victory with a nice effort in the 77th minute.
“It was a fine victory,” KRL assistant coach Sajjad Mehmood said.
“The team played really well and if we are able to beat Yeedzin FC in our final match we will be able to make it to the final round,” said Sajjad.
KRL have a decent chance of moving forward as Yeedzin FC are too weak to give tough time to Lutfi’s side who are featuring in the event for the third time in four years.
Meanwhile, in the other match of the day, Dordoi Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan crushed Yeedzin FC 9-0 with striker Murzaev Mirlan scoring five goals in ninth, 41st, 50th, 72nd and 80th minutes.
He was joined on the scoresheet by Rustamov Tursunali with a brace that he scored in the 30th and 84th minutes.
Kaleutin Sergey (62nd minute) and Shamshiev Islam (54th minute) were the other contributors.
The victory enhanced Dordoi’s chances of making it to the finals with four points to their credit and one match in hand against Global FC on Sunday.
Two teams from the group will qualify for the finals.
Meanwhile, Group A slots carrying Taiwan Power Company of Chinese Taipei, Three Star Club of Nepal, Abahani Limited of Bangladesh and Erchim FC of Mongolia are in progress at the Dashrath Stadium in Kathmandu.
From Group C Balkan FC from Turkmenistan and Al Quds Hilal Club from Palestine have already qualified for the finals.
Beoungket Rubber FC of Cambodia and Sri Lanka’s Army Sports Club were the other teams in the group who finished third and fourth, respectively.
From: The News