AFC President's Cup 2013: Balkan preview

Turkmenistan’s Balkan stormed into the Final Stage after finishing as leaders in their four-team group during the competition’s Group Stage in Phnom Penh, Cambodia in May.

The 2011 semi-finalists are now in Group A along with Erchim of Mongolia and Nepali outfit Three Star Club while Dordoi from neighbouring Kyrgyzstan are in Group B of the finals competition to kick off on Monday in Malaysian state Melaka, a neutral venue.

Bishkek-based Dordoi boast a record eight-time appearance in the competition and were the title lifters in the 2006 and 2007 editions while long-absent Three Star Club will be Balkan’s first opponents.

“Maybe it’s luck that we are not in the same group with Dordoi who are a very experienced and successful side in this competition,” Kurbanmamedov (pictured, right) said during a press conference on Sunday.

“However, we are also confident with my team’s ability and who knows, maybe we’ll meet Dordoi in the final which will be an interesting all-Central Asians final tie.

“As for Nepal’s Three Star Club, it’s also a pleasure to be up against them in our group, even though they have been absent from this tournament for eight years.”

Meanwhile, Balkan playmaker Mammedaly Karadanov (left) is happy to play an important role in this year’s campaign having appeared in last year’s edition and also in four editions of higher club continental competition, the AFC Cup.

“I’m glad that I’m playing again this year," he said. "This is one more great chance for me to try and win and get the trophy this time.”

Balkan will play the first game of the tournament on Monday and face off Erchim four days later.

The winners of Group A will advance to the final to meet the leaders of Group B which consists of Dordoi, KRL Football Club of Pakistan and AlQuds Hilal Club from Palestine.

Photo: WSG