AFC Challenge League
Kenean Maleko’s first-half penalty at Changlimithang Stadium gave the Oman side the three points as they made their debut in the group stage of an AFC competition.
Al Shabab made a strong start, with Paro’s Jeffrey Baltus tipping out a 35-yard Maleko strike, collecting a tame header from Opa Nguette and blocking a close-range shot by Maleko on the left - all within the opening 10 minutes.
The visitors’ relentless pressing saw them awarded a penalty in the 26th minute after Tshelthrim Namgyel brought down Yousuf Al Malki, with Maleko converting by sending the ball beyond Baltus’ outstretched arms.
The visitors’ relentless pressing saw them awarded a penalty in the 26th minute after Tshelthrim Namgyel brought down Yousuf Al Malki, with Maleko converting by sending the ball beyond Baltus’ outstretched arms.
Paro had the crowd cheering in the 36th minute when Timothy Okereke slid the ball home, but they quietened down after referee Yudi Norcahya indicated that skipper Evans Asante’s cut-back to the Nigerian striker had crossed the touchline.
The five-time Bhutan Premier League champions’ Kezang Dorji and Riku Ichimura both booted their attempts into the stands in the closing minutes while Al Shabab’s Mohamed Al Ghafri lost a golden opportunity to put his side further in front when he headed wide from close range in time added on.
The five-time Bhutan Premier League champions’ Kezang Dorji and Riku Ichimura both booted their attempts into the stands in the closing minutes while Al Shabab’s Mohamed Al Ghafri lost a golden opportunity to put his side further in front when he headed wide from close range in time added on.
A scorching 30-yard free-kick by substitute Richard Sagna which sounded the crossbar three minutes after the break signaled the hosts’ fightback, with Kareem Omolaja doing the same with his set piece from a similar distance four minutes later.
Al Shabab’s efforts to increase their lead came to nothing, with Baltus easily collecting Ahmed Al Riyami’s low shot in the 67th minute and then going full-length to tip over Musab Al Maamari’s first-time volley seven minutes later.
Al Shabab’s efforts to increase their lead came to nothing, with Baltus easily collecting Ahmed Al Riyami’s low shot in the 67th minute and then going full-length to tip over Musab Al Maamari’s first-time volley seven minutes later.
Mahmood Al Khusaibi shot wide from inside the six-yard box with only Baltus to beat in the second minute of time added on and Sagna sent the ball skywards minutes later to close the entertaining match.
Al Shabab will play Kyrgyz Republic’s Abdysh-Ata in their second fixture on Tuesday while Paro take on Altyn Asar of Turkmenistan in a later match.
Al Shabab will play Kyrgyz Republic’s Abdysh-Ata in their second fixture on Tuesday while Paro take on Altyn Asar of Turkmenistan in a later match.
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