Kuching, May 11:

Manang Marsyangdi Club (MMC) rued the missed chances as they went down 0-2 against Ratnam Sports Club in their first Group ‘A’ match at the second AFC President’s Cup football tournament here today.

Despite putting up a good fight in the first half, the Nepali national league champions’ offensive strategy proved fatal in the second half conceding both the goals to the Sri Lankan opponents.

Kasun Jayasuriya put Ratnam SC ahead in the 66th minute when MMC’s defenders had moved far forward. Mohammed Rawme Muhideen put the issue beyond doubt when he struck one minute from time.

Playing against the team that had eight national team members, MMC created an opportunity in the second minute but Raj Kumar Ghising muffed up a certain goal from eight yards on a perfect cross from Anil Gurung.

Anil Gurung wasted another chance in the 16th minute. Ratnam SC goalkeeper Damini Tilakratne easily collected Gurung’s weak shot following skipper Tashi Tsering’s header. Ghising missed another easy chance six minutes before the break when he lost his balance and fell down in one-on-one with goalie Tilakratne. After the break, MMC lost its momentum and conceded the first goal. The goal forced MMC players to be more aggressive which resulted into a loose defence that made easier for the Lankans find the net one more time. Coach Chhiring Lobsang Gurung’s move to send Khum Gurung (76th) and Prasant Giri (80th) in place of Anil Gurung and Pravesh Katuwal proved worthless as they failed to improve the game. MMC had a chance to equalise in the 83rd minute but Ghising failed to direct the header inside the nets.

Lamenting on the poor finishing by his strikers, coach Gurung said that they lost the game despite playing better. “The wasted chances turned out fatal for us,” said Gurung, adding that he would change some players in the next match against FC Vashkh FC on Saturday. MMC will take on Dordoi Dynamo on Monday.