AFC President’s Cup – Three Star Face Bitter Start

The 2069 league champions Laxmi Bank Three Star club faces humiliating defeat against Turkmenistan league winners Balkan FC.

Balkan 6-0 Three Star

The stars face bitter start in the final round of the tournament when the Turkmenistan league leaders bang six goals to the Lalitpur based club. Starts who ended up first in the qualifiers played at Dasarath Rangashala lacked pace and enthusiasm in the game.

The first defeat in the group stage means they totally rely on Balkan’s final game even if they produce winning results against Mongolian side who they already defeated in the qualifiers back in home.

Three Star looked to build the momentum after five minutes of play, looking well managed in the passing game, however they lost the tempo and conceded one after other goal.

The first goal came in 22nd minute as Tkachenko gave Balkan the lead while the second one was quick to come, two minutes later, scored by Balkan skipper Garadanow whose touch on a goal gave Balkan two goals lead and they ended up 2-0 at the end of first half.

Three Star struggled even in the second half and conceded four goals to end up 6-0. The third goal came from Saparow in 59th minute while Sirmedow scored another in 63 minute.

Three Star were lucky as a goal on Kiran’s mistake was called a foul, Kiran failed to catch the ball and Balkan striker found the net, lucky for stars as the goal was ruled out for a foul.

Gurnabi converted penalty for Balkan , scoring to the right side of Chemjong, however Kiran dived the other way. The final score remained 6-0 as Conkayew wrapped up the game scoring in 87th minute of the game.