Dordoi coach Boris Podkorytov. Photo by: AFC / Stanley Chou

KUCHING, Malaysia: Pre-tournament favourites Kyrgyzstan’s Dordoi-Dynamo will have a do-or-die battle against Sri Lanka’s Ratnam Sports Club in their second Group B game of the AFC President’s Cup here on Saturday. Dordoi-Dynamo suffered an unflattering defeat in their opening game, allowing three unanswered goals against Vakhsh FC. Needless to say, they can’t afford to drop any more points. “You can’t let your guard down against that team,” said Dordoi coach Boris Podkorytov. “They are a very nippy and quick side. They took all their chances very well in the first game. It is not good to be in a situation like this because it just adds on to the pressure.” Ratnam, however, are certainly looking forward to the encounter. The team is in high spirits following their opening 2-0 win over Nepal’s Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC). And the ace in their pack, according to coach Emmanuel Balendra Anthony, is the combination of Kasun Jayasuriya and Channa Ediribandanage. “These two have been playing together for about 10 years now. I was the national Under-18 coach when I took them under my wings and we have been together since,” said Anthony. “They have also been in the national team ever since and that’s really what makes the team tick. They can be dangerous to any team upfront.” Vakhsh will take on MMC in the second game on Saturday. Manang are a determined side but their lack of international exposure was also quite obvious. Coach Chhiring Lopsang Gurung is hoping that the ground conditions will be more favourable on Saturday. Vakhsh, however, would like to take one game at a time. “It is important we do not get ahead of ourselves. There is still some work to be done with the team. For instance, there were still too many chances that we missed,” said coach Uraz Turaqulov.