KRL puts Global hopes in danger

CEBU CITY—Khan Research Laboratories of Pakistan stunned Global, 2-0, last night, putting the Filipino side’s hopes of making the AFC President’s Cup final round in jeopardy at Cebu City Sports Complex.

A goal in each half by the Pakistani side secured maximum points even as Global, the country’s first representative in the continental tournament, struggled to create clear-cut scoring chances despite being dominant in possession.

While KRL, a semifinalist in last year’s President’s Cup, has all but secured one of the top two spots in the Group, Global faces an uphill task of beating a two-time champion Dordoi Bishkek on Sunday to clinch a spot in the final round in September.

Having played KRL to a 1-1 draw last Wednesday, Dordoi only needs a stalemate against Global, which fell to third spot with three points coming from a win against Yeedzin Wednesday night.

Dordoi flaunted its attacking might in a 9-0 drubbing of Yeedzin of Bhutan in the first match to jack up its tally to four points.

Compact and organized defensively, KRL hardly gave Global space on its final third. On attack, the Pakistanis cashed in on their chances.

The breakthrough came 12 minutes in when Global’s new goalkeeper Moussa Sanogo misjudged a swerving corner kick from Mahmood Khan that took a slight deflection on Jerry Barbaso before getting a favorable bounce at the post.

KRL punished Global for some poor defending to double the lead in the 76th minute when Adil ghosted into the area to drill home a cross from the right.

After struggling to create openings against KRL of Pakistan Wednesday night, Dordoi finally underlined its reputation as a force in the tournament with a ruthless performance against the same team it  also beat by nine goals last year.

Kyrgyzstan international Mirlan Murzaev scored five goals, while Rustamov Tursunali got a brace for Dordoi, which also drew a goal each from Shamshiev Islam and Sergey Kaleutin.

“It’s a good win for us, but our job is not yet finished,” said Dordoi’s Russian coach Sergey Dvoryankov, whose side faces Global side on Sunday for its last assignment.