Bacolod City: Ri Kwang-hyok bagged a brace as Rimyongsu twice came from behind to draw 2-2 with Group B hosts Ceres La Salle on Tuesday in what was the first appearance of a North Korean club in the AFC President’s Cup.
Cheered on by almost 6000 fans at the Panaad Stadium it was the home side that took the early initiative when Spain-born Philippines international defender Juan Guirado, who is on loan at Ceres from Spanish Tercera Division side CD Burgos, opened the scoring with just ten minutes played.
Ceres held the lead until six minutes before half-time when Ri, a two-time AFC Challenge Cup winner with DPR Korea, netted the equaliser to write his name in the history books as the first player to score for a North Korean club in the AFC President’s Cup.
Four minutes after the restart Ceres, who are coached by South Korean Cha Soung-yooung, regained the lead through Patrick Reichelt but for the second time in the match Ri was on hand to restore parity, with the 26-year-old forward scoring his and Rimyongsu’s second on the hour mark.

afc.com