September 26, 2007	Wednesday	Ramazan 13, 1428

LAHORE, Sept 25: Pakistan Army made exit from the third AFC President Cup after losing 2-3 to Bhutan’s Transport United at the Punjab Stadium as four matches decided on the last day of group matches on Tuesday.

Army, which have failed to register any win in the competition, were hot favourites against the United Transport but after the match, they found themselves at the bottom of the Group ‘A’ with only one point which they had obtained from a drawn game against Sri Lanka’s Ratnam Sports Club.

In other matches, Ratnam Sports lost to Regar TadAZ 0-1 at the Railways Stadium. Both Ratnam and Regar have qualified for semi-finals from the Group ‘A’.

Nepal’s Mahendra Police Club defeated Cambodia’s Khemara 6-4 to reach the last four from the Group ‘B’. Dordoi-Dynamo, which have already qualified for the pre-final stage, defeated Tatung 5-0.

In the semi-finals which will be played on Thursday, Regar TadAZ will take on Mahendra Police Club while Dordoi will clash against Ratnam Sports Club.

Army were in need of a big margin win against Transport United but instead earned a stunning defeat.

The winners made a stormy start. Front-runner Wangay Dorji opened the scoring in the 5th minute of the match which was doubled by midfielder Sonam Jmtsho in the 21st minute.

Army reduced the lead in the dying minute of the first half when midfielder Mohammad Shabbir gave no chance to Bhutanese goalkeeper Puspalal Sharma.

In the second half, there was more shock in store for Army as Wangay Dorji struck his second and team’s third goal in the 74th minute to increase the lead 3-1.

Army increased their pressure on the Bhutanese with frequent attacks but could only fetch a goal in the dying minute of the regulation time through international striker Faheem Riaz.

The win could not help Transport United to enter the last four.

Meanwhile, the match between Regar TadAZ and Ratnam Sports ended on a thrilling note with the former winning it 1-0 at the Railways Stadium.

Regar TadAZ, who have the honour of scoring most goals in AFC President’s Cup history (34 in eight matches), struck the match winner in the 66th minute after locking in a goalless first half.

The winners wasted some chances as midfielder Rahmonali Barotov’s attempt in the 2nd minute and defender Naim Nosirov’s header off Alisher Hakberdiev in the 6th minute went straight to Ratnam’s keeper Dammika. They also missed out an open sitter when striker Abbos Abdullayev was off the target in the 10th minute as his kick went over the bar.

On the other end, Ratnam, needing a draw for the semi-final spot, missed goal-scoring chances in the 13th and 29th minute.

In the group ‘B’, Mahendra Police Club, Nepal, earned an impressive 6-4 win against strong Khemara to sail into the pre-final.

Mahendra were given a fright in the closing stages by Khemara as they brought the game to four-all with three quick goals, but Mahendra recovered and added two more goals to its tally to seal the fate of the match.

Mahendra’s all-time leading scorer Roman Kornilov banging in four goals in the 18th, 62nd, 83rd and 89th minute with the opener pumped in by Artem Muladjanov in the 11th minute and Ananat Raj Thapa struck in the 12th minute.

Khemara scored through Rotha Loch (23rd minute), Bun Vi Chet Ty (67th minute) and Sokumpheak Kouch (70th and 78th minutes).

Final group standings

(Tabulate under teams, matches, won, drawn, lost, goals for, goals against, points):

Group A

Regar TadAZ 3 3 0 0 16 1 9

Ratnam Sports 3 1 1 1 9 5 4

Transport United 3 1 0 2 4 21 3

Army 3 0 1 2 6 8 1

Group B

Dordoi-Dynamo 3 3 0 0 12 0 9

Mahendra Police 3 1 1 1 6 7 4

Khemara 3 1 0 2 5 10 3

Tatung 3 0 1 2 0 6 1