The HTTU Football Club from Turkmenistan and Rimyongsu FC from Democratice People’s Republic of Korea advanced into the finals of the Asian Football Confederation President’s Cup 2014 after topping the Group B of the Qualifiers at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Bacolod City.
HTTU beat host Ceres-La Salle Football Club, 2-1, both goals scored during injury time, while Rimyongsu shut out Tatung Company from Chinese Taipei, 5-0.
Ceres-La Salle scored the first goal of the match in the 20th minute after Carli de Murga engaged the goalkeeper on a one-on-one and prevailed.
But HTTU equalized at injury time before halftime (45+2), as Suleyman Muhadov completed a corner’s kick by heading the ball into the net.
The 1-all deadlock remained until the regulation time expired but referee Yousef Thyth Almarsouq from Kuwait ruled for a five-minute added time. Fourth minute in the injury time, Muhadov scored his fifth goal in the tournament as he hammered the ball into the goal after it slipped through Ceres FC keeper’s Michael Casas’ hands.
HTTU head coach Rowshen Meredov said that their goals came late but he never doubted that they will score those goals. He said Ceres is a very good team, very well organized and they played very well.
Ceres FC team manager Ali Go, on the other hand, expressed some misgivings on how the referee officiated as he pointed out several inconsistencies in the call.
He said the injury time went beyond five minutes and the referee failed to call the glaring fouls in the final seconds of the match.
However, he said the team will bounce back from the defeat and move on.
Meanwhile, DPR Korea head coach Jon Man Ho said they are glad to be into the finals of the AFC President’s Cup and they will train hard in preparations for the championship.
He added that the 5-0 goal against Taipei was their insurance to get through the Qualifier as they knew that the 2-1 score between Turkmenistan and Philippines will not be enough if they settle for a draw or score a few goals against Taipei.
Visayan Daily Star
