Dordoi-Dynamo coach Sergey Dvoryankov

BISHKEK – Head coach Sergey Dvoryankov is refusing to talk up Dordoi Dynamo’s chances of success ahead of their semi-final clash with Nepal Police Club as the Kyrgyzstan side bids for a third successive title.

Since the tournament began in 2005, Dordoi Dynamo have appeared in all three finals and recovered from the loss to inaugural champions Regar-TadAZ to record wins over Vakhsh and Kathmandu-based Nepal Police Club, who were known as Mahendra Police Club at the time.

But despite having home advantage at the Spartak Stadium in Bishkek, Russian Dvoryankov echoed the words of Nepal Police Club’s Birat Krishna Shrestha in insisting history will count for nothing on Friday.

Dvoryankov took over the Dordoi Dynamo helm in April and is looking to follow in the footsteps of predecessor Boris Podkorytov, who was in charge for the two previous triumphs.

“The Nepal coach is right, it is a football match and we will see at the end of 90 minutes who is stronger. We do not have a psychological edge, the match will prove who is stronger,” said Dvoryankov.

“What ever happened before does not count, we have to look at what is happening right now.

“We know a lot about the Nepal team as we played them twice in the last tournament. We have also had the opportunity to see a DVD of them in the group stage and will look to capitalise on their mistakes.

“It is a big incentive for us that the tournament is being held in Kyrgyzstan. When we have won it in the past our fans just read about it in the newspapers, but now they have the chance to see it live and it gives us a chance to show our professionalism and win the tournament.”

Experienced captain Ruslan Sydykov, who has led the side to the back-to-back President’s Cup triumphs, was quick to follow his coaches’ cautious approach.

“We are ready for the important game and all the players understand their responsibilities as we are playing in our own country,” said the Kyrgyzstan international defender and captain.

“We will not underestimate our opponents. We must remember this is a new tournament. All the teams at this stage are equal.”

Dvoryankov will look to Ghanaian imports David Tetteh and William Gyan, the only two foreign players allowed in the Dordoi Dynamo squad due to competition rules, to continue their recent form against Nepal Police Club.

Tetteh scored a hat-trick while Gyan also got his name on the score sheet in a recent 8-0 win over a young Abdysh-Ata-91 side in the Kyrgyzstan League.

“We only have two foreign players available but there is no problem as the local players are good and the foreign players are very good,” added Dvoryankov.

“There is no problem only being able to use two foreign players during the tournament.”

Dordoi Dynamo recently won the national cup competition and are currently two points behind the leaders in the Kyrgyzstan League.