Himalayan News Service

Kathmandu, May 9:

Duddely Lincoln Steinwall struck twice as Blue Star Sporting Club of Sri Lanka defeated Hello United of Cambodia 3-2 and entered the semi-finals of the AFC President’s Cup Football Tournament here at Dasharath Stadium today. In the other match, WAPDA of Pakistan beat Dordoi-Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan 1-0.

Blue Star and Hello United, both had three points each, and the win took the Sri Lankan team to last four as Group B runners-up behind Dordoi-Dynamo, also with six, on inferior goal difference. In Thursday’s semis, Blue Star will face Regar TadAZg of Tajikistan at APF Stadium, while Nepal’s Three Star will face Dordoi-Dynamo at Dasharath Stadium.

The semi-finals were scheduled to be held at Dasharath Stadium at 1600 hrs and 1900 hrs, but the organisers today informed that the matches will be held in different venues, but the times remain unchanged.

Steinwall put the Sri Lankan team ahead in the 32nd minute through a penalty, but Hang Sokunthe scored an equaliser for Hello United on Hok Sochetra’s pass in the 60th minute. Steinwall again put Blue Star ahead in the 72nd minute when he scored through a free kick. Seven minutes later, Cambodian skipper Sochetra converted the spot kick to level the tally. Fawzan Mohmed snatched the winner in dying moments.

At APF Stadium, Arif Mehmood scored the only in WAPDA’s 1-0 win. Arif found a loose ball outside the penalty area and dodged the Dordoi custodian Zakir Djalilov before firing the ball into the net.