Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Melaka: KRL Football Club delivered an upset to tournament veterans Dordoi of Kyrgyzstan as the Pakistani club beat them 1-0 in their AFC President’s Cup 2013 Group B match on Monday.
Both sides went into the break in a goalless stalemate and despite Dordoi making a lot of attempts, the Pakistani League champions finally found their break 21 minutes into the second half.
Both teams played hard to find an opening until Dordoi almost found their target when striker Mirlan Murzaev crossed from the right and fired down a shot between two KRL defenders in front of goal but it was saved by goalkeeper Saqib Hanif on 45 minutes.
Dordoi’s Ghanaian defender Tagoe Daniel Nii Armah then received a long-distance free kick 20 minutes later but failed to make good of the chance at goal in the game held in Malaysian state Melaka.
Striker Kaiumzhan Sharipov then sprinted down the left towards the goal post and released a powerful shot but was again stopped by Hanif on 71 minutes. Five minutes later KRL forward Kaleemullah scored the game’s solitary goal right from inside the box amidst heavy defending by Dordoi.
Up next, two-time champions Dordoi and KRL will be up against AlQuds Hilal of Palestine on Wednesday and Friday respectively at the Hang Jebat Stadium.
Photo: WSG