LAHORE: Defending champions Kyrgyzstan's Dordoi-Dynamo have just one hurdle in Ratnam Sports Club on their way to make it to the third successive AFC President's Cup final.

The second semi-final between these two teams is slated for Friday night at the Punjab Stadium. Dordoi-Dynamo’s track record and form in the ongoing event make them the odds-on favourite to beat Ratnam. In their previous two outings against Sri Lankan clubs, Dordoi has an impeccable record, bulldozing Blue Star 8-1 in the first edition in Kathmandu , Nepal , and overpowering Ratnam 3-0 last year at Kuching.

The power-packed Kyrgyz unit has the proud privilege of reaching the final of the last two editions. They lost to Tajikistan 's Regar TadAZ 0-3 in Nepal but bounced back to down another Tajik outfit Vakhsh 2-1 last year to clinch the crown. Last year’s Most Valuable Player Roman Kornilov served a warning to Ratnam’s defence on Tuesday slamming four spectacular goals, leaving Tatung's defence in tatters. Kornilov's combination with last edition's hero Ildar Amirov will be a treat to watch. Dordoi-Dynamo coach Boris Podkorytov was convinced that his side would repeat the performances of the previous two editions. "Our history in the event is good, our boys are in good form and we hope to feature in the Sunday's final,” he said. For their part, Ratnam are troubled by injury to its star striker Kasun Jayasuriya, rated as one of the best in his country. Jayasuriya scored a goal in the opener against Pakistan Army but to the great chagrin of coach Packeer Ali, in the next encounter he limped off the field.

Packeer Ali will miss his captain and midfielder Mohamed Rawme Mohideen due to suspension but Channa Ediribandanage, who is leading the top goalscorers’ chart with six goals, would be looking to improve his individual tally. Packeer Ali was confident that his charges can turn the tables on Dordoi-Dynamo. "My boys played well against Tajikistan ’s Regar-TadAZ in the final group game. We lost narrowly to them and I can say that Dordoi-Dynamo, another Central Asian outfit in this event, will have a tough time against us.” “Jayasuriya is recovering from injury and I hope he would be fit to play in tomorrow’s crucial game. His combination with Channa would help us penetrate the Dordoi defence.”