Kathmandu, September 22:

Nepali league champions Mahendra Police Club (MPC) opened their AFC President’s Cup campaign with a goalless draw against Tatung of Chinese Taipei at the Punjab Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan on Saturday.

MPC wasted about half a dozen scoring opportunities in the first half after the strikers repeatedly wasted marvellous move made by the midfielders. Bhola Silwal was the chief culprit when he missed an easy chance from the close range following a cross from Ju Manu Rai early in the fifth minute.

MPC skipper Ramesh Budhathoki failed to beat Tatung goalkeeper Jen Feng in a one-to-one situation in the 24th minute. The Nepali team put continuous pressure in the first half but failed to score, which cost them the important two points. The second half, compared to the first, was little bit slow as the MPC players seemed tired. Silwal missed a certain goal when he shot wide in an open post after Ju Manu Rai’s cross beat Tatung goalkeeper Wan in the 56th minute.

Tatung almost earned three points when Chung-Tzu Chencame close to scoring in the injury time, but defender Rakesh Shrestha saved the ball from goal line. MPC will play Dordoi Dynamo of Kyrgyzstan on Sunday and Khemara of Cambodia on September 25. Dynamo lead the Group B table following a 4-0 win over Khemara.

In Group A matches on Friday, Regar TadAZ of Tajikistan hammered Transport United of Bhutan 13-0, while Pakistan Army and Ratnam Sports Club of Sri Lanka played a 3-3 draw.