Goals from Shiva Shrestha and Anil Gurung gave Manang Marshyangdi Club a 2-1 comeback win over hosts Sri Lanka Air Force SC in the AFC President’s Cup Group A opener at Sugathadasa Stadium on Saturday.
Kavindu Ishan had put the Sri Lankans in front after just five minutes but Shrestha’s goal 10 minutes before half-time saw the sides level at the break.
Captain Gurung then netted the decisive goal for Manang, who last qualified for the finals of the tournament in 2006, when he coolly converted a 61st minute penalty and got the Nepalese club off to winning ways ahead of their second group stage game against Turkmen side FC HTTU on Monday.
“In the first half there was a lot of pressure as they went ahead early. But once we got our equaliser we were able to find our natural rhythm and dominate the game,” said Manang coach Nabin Neupane.
“As we played with five midfielders, we were able to pack the middle and dominate ball possession.
“In our next match, however, we will look to instead play on the counter-attack, as FC HTTU are physical and strong.”
The hosts had got off to the ideal start after just five minutes, though, as Ishan raced on to a long kick downfield from goalkeeper Sujan Perera and the 21-year-old fired across Bishal Shrestha who was unable to stop the powerful shot despite getting a hand to the ball.
But Manang almost found a swift response as Zikhai Dodoz raced on to Stephen Mbile’s lofted pass but he saw his angled drive pushed away by Perera with 10 minutes played.
The Nepalese side continued to press for an equaliser with Sri Lanka Air Force content to sit back and try to hit back on the counter, although they struggled to create further chances.
Instead it was Perera who was far the busier custodian and he again denied Dodoz shortly before the half hour mark, this time facing down the onrushing Ivorian forward and standing tall to bat away his shot.
Manang were not to be denied, though, and the leveler arrived with ten minutes of the half remaining.
Shiva Shrestha’s one-two with Dodoz put the Nepalese midfielder through on goal and although his dinked effort beat Perera but not the crossbar, the rebound fell kindly for him and he rolled the ball into the empty net.
Following the re-start, however, it was Sri Lanka Air Force that went close to re-taking the lead, as Ishan’s mis-hit cross seven minutes into the second half almost crept in at the far post, only to clip the woodwork and roll to safety.
Ishan it was who continued to look the host’s best chance of scoring, and the Sri Lanka U-23 vice-captain was denied inside the 16-yard-area again, this time by Bishal Shrestha who scrambled the ball clear at the feet of the young Sri Lanka Air Force forward.
But against the run of play it was Manang who went in front shortly after the hour mark as Dodoz was brought down inside the area by Perera and Gurung fired the resulting penalty low into the bottom left-handcorner.
With the comeback complete, and Ishan beginning to tire and visibly suffering from cramp, Sri Lanka Air Force saw their control of the tie wrested away; despite their best attempts to restore parity, and it was Manang who finished on top.
“Despite the defeat, I am happy with the players’ performances because they worked hard and did their best,” said Sri Lanka Air Force coach Sampath Perera, who pinpointed the absence of the suspended Janaka Chaminda as a major factor for the defeat.
“We were lacking the midfield link that Chaminda normally provides us. His replacement tried hard but the reality is we were missing one of our really key players.
“I will watch FC HTTU in their game on 22nd of September and see if I need to come up with some new strategies and tactics for our next match.”
