Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Melaka: Balkan of Turkmenistan became the champions of the AFC President’s Cup 2013 as they scored in the dying moments of their 1-0 game against KRL Football Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
The win was brought on by midfielder Amir Gurbani’s goal three minutes before full time after the Balkan club took many chances at goal in both halves of the game.
Balkan controlled most of the proceedings in the first half and their first clear chance happened just before the 19th minute mark when skipper Mamedaly Karadanov flicked the ball towards goal from inside the six-yard box but it was saved by KRL goalkeeper Saqib Hanif.
Gurbani then had his chance to make his goal much earlier in the first half as he slipped past keeper Hanif inside the penalty box with only KRL captain Samar Ishaq between him and the post but Ishaq’s defending proved to be too tough to penetrate.
Balkan defender Yagmyrmyrat Annamyradov then had an opening from the right side and dished a smart feed to Gurbani but the two did not connect and the ball was turned over.
Another opportunity came for Balkan as Annamyradov was fouled and Gurbani took the free kick from the right side outside the 18-yard box but it was headed away before the game went into the break in a goalless stalemate.
Balkan had a clear chance in the second half when Karadanov took a strong free kick from outside the penalty box but it hit the woodwork.
Balkan’s Rahmet Shermetov then sprinted from the left crossing into the box and fired a shot but it went well above the crossbar.
It was then KRL’s turn to make some clear chances as striker Kaleemullah fired a long-range shot on 77 minutes from outside the box but it was punched away by Balkan goalkeeper Nikita Gorbunov.
Ten minutes later KRL substitute Saadullah released a volley right from the penalty spot but it was a weak and easy one for goalkeeper Hanif to stop.
The moment in time came for Balkan when Gurbani finally found KRL’s net on 87 minutes to seal the 1-0 win for the Central Asian side.
Photo: WSG