AFC Cup qualifiers: K-Electric through to next round

A goalless draw between Khoromkhon and Druk United enabled the club to progress

KARACHI: K-Electric (KE) confirmed their place in the next round of the 2016 AFC Cup qualifiers, courtesy  a goalless draw between Mongolian champions Khoromkhon FC and Bhutan’s Druk United FC on Saturday.

Despite collecting four points and scoring four goals in two matches, the Pakistan Premier Football League (PPFL) champions were nervously watching Group A’s last match, which would determine their standing in the pool.

Hosts Druk United were under pressure to win the last match on Saturday; however, the Mongolians held them in a goalless draw.

According to KE manager Zabe Khan, the dream of AFC Cup remains intact, with the club to begin their preparations for the second round soon. “The dream continues for us,” Zabe told The Express Tribune. “We became the PPFL champions this year and then made our debut at the AFC Cup. We are overjoyed.”

Zabe said that the biggest challenge for his side was the venue and playing at an international arena for the first time. “It’s been a great experience so far, and it also taught us to deal with different weather conditions. It’s huge for KE to be going international for the first time and playing well in such tough competition.”

Bangladesh’s T Shaiekh Jamal Dhanmondi Club have also booked their place from Group B in the next round.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 16^th, 2015.

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