Asian Football Confederation President's Cup:

Sri Lanka's Blue Stars win 1-0 against WAPDA SC

BERNARD Perera reporting from Nepal

KATHMANDU, Thursday - Sri Lanka's Blue Stars SC came up with a fine display to overcome Pakistan's WAPDA SC by one goal to nil in an Asian Football Confederation President's Cup encounter at Dasrath Stadium yesterday.

The Lankans were right on top from the begining and went on the attack. Until the 20th minute none of the teams found the net.

At this stage Lankans missed a golden opportunity of scoring when Fawmy's corner kick which was right on target saw Irshan's header touch the upright and bounce back.

The Pakistanis though they had the physical advantage could not stop the onslaught of their opponents. Five minutes later Dudley Steinwall who played a calm game found the net when he smashed a bullet like kick from 25 meters out to put Lankans ahead. Lemons were taken with Lanka leading one nil.

The turn around saw Lankans turn on the heat and were seen moving in the close range of the goal area for nearly 25 minutes.

But luck was not with them. Pakistan's defender Ahmed Thanweer was the man who halted the Lankan club scoring in this period. The full second session was scoreless.

K. Bakessh fired many kicks at goal but was saved by goalie Tillekeratne, who was at his best in this game.

Chatura Madurange was taken to hospital for a leg injury during the second half. The Indian referee, Manuel Parera had a tough time in controlling the game as Pakistanis were found guilty on many occasions.

Sri Lanka's next game will be on Friday.

Nepal-Chinese Taipei draw 1-all

The host nation of the inaugural Asian Football Federation President's Cup Nepal's Three Star had to settle for a 1-all draw against Chinese Taipei's Tai Power Co. SC on the opening day of the championship.

Nepalese were in full control of the game from the start on a soggy ground as rain continued right through 90 minutes. Taipei players never allowed their opponents to take the lead with their strong defence.

Taipei drew first blood in the 38th minute. When their midfielder Chen Chi-Feng netted in the goal from close range to put his into the lead.

Taipei's lead did not last long as they went on the attack and found good results scoring the equaliser in only two minutes. The equaliser coming from the boot of Pradeep Maharajan.

After the turn around it was a ding dong battle for supremacy but none could score. The game got to rough play as players from both sides receiving warnings from Thai referee Kunsata Chaiwat.

First hat-trick

In the other game at Halchowk Stadium, Tajikistan outplayed Bhutan's Transport United SC by six goals to one. Dzhomikhon was the player who ran through the defence of Bhutan scoring a hattrick of goals - the first of the championship.

A colourful cultural ceremony was held before the commencement of the championship. The Crown Prince Paras Veera Vickram Sahader and Princess Himani Rajyalaxmi were the chief guests. Other guests included the Minister of Education & Sports R. Krisha Menon and Peter Velappan the Secretary General Asian Football confederation.