Sri Lanka Air Force defeat Ugyen Academy in event opener. PHOTO: FILE
Khan Research Laboratories (KRL) began their campaign in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Presidents Cup 2014 with an under-par performance as they played a goal-less draw, against Bangladesh’s Sheikh Russel in Colombo on Wednesday, according to Sri Lanka football federation.
KRL, Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) Champions, are making their third straight appearance in the Presidents Cup.
KRL are touted as the heavyweights in the competition after finishing as the finalists last year.
The Group A match took place at the Sugathadasa Stadium. According to seasoned KRL player, Muhammad Qasim, the team was expecting the weather to suit them and it was important for them not to lose the opening match.
They will play their second match against Ugyen Academy FC on May 9 and will later face Sri Lanka Air Force A team in their group. The team is going through a rough patch as they lack the skills of two of their key players. Striker Kaleemulllah, who scored a good number of goals for the team last year and Muhammad Aadil have left to play with Kyrgyzstan’s FC Dordoi.
Meanwhile, KRL’s captain Samar Ishaq is also missing the event due to an injury whose shoes are being filled by Kamran Khan, who is a talented midfielder.
KRL’s Saddam Hussain and Bilawalur Rehman are also absent from the tournament as they are going to participate in the Al-Nakba International Football Tournament in Palestine with the national team.
SL Air Force defeat Ugyen Academy 1-0
Hosts Sri Lanka (SL) Air Force started their run with a win in a nail-biting encounter.
They defeated Ugyen Academy 1-0 in the first match of the day at the same venue.
Both the teams toiled hard to find the net, but they were only able to produce a goal-less first half. However, the hosts sealed the win with a goal from Nipuna Dewinda Bandara in the 58th minute of the match.
This is the last edition of the Presidents Cup and the top six teams from the group stages will not only qualify for the next round of the tournament, but they will also book their place in the AFC Cup 2015 play-offs.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 8th, 2014.
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