NPC take on Dordoi in opener

HIMALAYAN NEWS SERVICE

KATHMANDU: Nepal Police Club (NPC) kickstart their AFC President’s Cup Group ‘B’ Qualifier with a match against Dordoi Bishkek of Kyrgyzstan at the National Olympic Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on Saturday.

After two disappointing editions on home soil, the policemen will be be under pressure to deliver. The NPC’s run in the AFC-organised tournament has been in the decline ever since their first participation in 2007, where they made it to the final before losing 2-1 to Dordoi. NPC advanced to the last four in 2008 but crashed out of the semi-finals going down 3-1 against the same opponents, then called the Dordoi-Dynamo.

Worst was to follow as the National and ‘A’ Division League champions NPC even failed to qualify for the main draw in 2009 and 2011, both on home soil.

On the contrary, the Kyrgyzstan powerhouse have reached the title match all six times they have represented their country and were crowned champions twice in 2006 and 2007. Dordoi only missed out of the tournament in 2011.

The policemen will be under pressure to end their three-match goal drought in the tournament. The recently concluded British Gurkha Cup winners have not scored in their last three President’s Cup matches since Chetan Ghimire struck twice in their 2-2 draw against Regar-Tadaz of Tajikistan at the Dasharath Stadium on May 18, 2009. The NPC have so far played three matches against Dordoi and are yet to taste a success. They have been able to score twice in those three matches, while Dordoi have netted eight.

Also on Saturday, the 2011 finalists Phnom Penh Crown FC will face Yeedzin FC of Bhutan. NPC next play Phnom Penh on Monday before wrapping up their qualifying campaign with a match against Yeedzin FC on Wednesday.