Action from the match. Photo by: AFC / Stanley Chou

KUCHING, Malaysia: Tajikistan champions Vakhsh sidelined Kyrgyzstan’s Dordoi-Dynamo 3-0 to begin their campaign in style in the second edition of the AFC President’s Cup here on Thursday. Last year’s runners-up Dordoi-Dynamo started as favourites to win this crucial Group B encounter but Tajikistan side proved their mettle with a emphatic victory. Striker Akhtam Khamrakulov opened Vakhsh’s account in the 24th minute and Abdukayum Karabaev made it 2-0 in the 62nd minute. Nazirshoh Rizomov sealed the fate of Dordoi-Dynamo with a 81st minute strike. Dordoi-Dynamo will take on Sri Lanka’s Ratnam Sports Club on May 13 while Vakhsh will clash against Nepalese outfit Manang Marshyangdi Club on the same day. “Our game is modeled on the German system…a lot of discipline. We observed several styles and decided that this best suits our team and our performance tonight proves that,” said Vakash coach Uraz Turaqulov. “We made three mistakes and we got punished everytime,” said Dordoi-Dynamo coach Boris Podkorytov. “But mistakes do happen and I’m hopeful we have learnt from that.”