K-Electric crash out of Bangladesh event

Manager Zabe Khan blames weak defence for the losing run

KARACHI: Pakistan Premier Football League champions K-Electric (KE) crashed out of the Sheikh Kamal International Club Cup on Saturday with a 4-2 defeat to Chittagong Abahani FC.

Even though striker Muhammad Rasool scored twice for the Pakistani outfit, KE were not able to avoid a third consecutive defeat and manager Zabe Khan rued the weak defence which leaked in four goals.

“We scored early but faltered under pressure later on,” Zabe told The Express Tribune. “Our weak defence cost us the matches. We could’ve performed better and the players are also aware now that they have the potential to put up a fight against the regional clubs. We went all out in the last match and have learnt a lot from the tournament. The good thing is that we now know that we aren’t too far behind as a club, despite the current scenario in Pakistan where we don’t even have the domestic league going at the moment.”

Sheikh Kamal International Cup: K-Electric lose 3-1 to East Bengal FC

Zabe added that his Nigerian defender Okpala Michael did not get the visa on arrival in Bangladesh therefore there was a gap in the defence.

“It would’ve helped if Michael was there, but we had to go on without him as his visa on arrival was refused,” he said.

KE will now look forward to their AFC Cup campaign scheduled to take place in January.

The manager said they will need at least a two-week long camp to prepare for the tournament.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 26^th, 2015.

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