Raju Nepali, Ram Kumar Biswas and Naresh Meche scored a goal each as the departmental team reached the final of Gurkha Cup for the first time. Army will meet the winner of the other semifinal between Three Star Club and Manang Marshyangdi Club (MMC) in the title clash on Saturday. The second semifinal will be played on Thursday. En route to the final, Army has remained unbeaten, scoring 14 goals and without conceding a single goal in the five matches played so far. [break]
The last time Army had made it to a final in the capital was in the Suwarna Shumsher Cup football tournament in 2063 BS. On the occasion, Army was defeated 4-3 in tie-breaker after a 3-3 draw in regulation time. However, Army’s last final in a knockout tournament was during the Buddhasubba Gold Cup held in Dharan in April. Army had lost 2-1 to Hong Kong Nepalese Federation on the occasion.
In the one-sided match on Wednesday, Army did not have any trouble taking the lead as early as in the 15th minute as the slippery conditions caused by a light shower a few minutes before the kick-off also worked to its advantage. Boys Union custodian Raju Yogi’s blunder gifted a goal to Army as the ball easily slipped from his hands. Raju Nepali’s strike from the edge slipped from Yogi’s hands and entered the net from between his legs.
“To concede a silly goal in the early stages was unfortunate,” Boys Union coach Bijay Maharjan said at the post-match conference. “The goal became the turning point of the match and keeper Yogi lost his confidence after that even though he is a brilliant goalie,” said Maharjan, whose side rarely threatened the opposition.
Expressing satisfaction toward the team’s overall performance in the first tournament after returning to top-tier football, Maharjan however opined that his side came under unnecessary pressure against Army. “Overall the boys put up a solid performance. Our main target is the league and we gained invaluable experience playing with some of the best teams.”
Defender Biswas doubled the advantage for Army in the 55th minute heading home Mahendra Khawas’ cross off Raju Tamang’s corner from the danger zone. Meche ensured the win for Army in the 70th with a cool finish from the area. Meche sprinted a long way with the ball, beat past two defenders and took his time before achieving his target from the area.
Besides scoring, Army also created nearly half a dozen dangerous moves, but could not find the finishing touch. “We had poor finishing compared to the chances created in the whole tournament,” admitted Army coach Yogambar Suwal. “We failed to find our rhythm and speed in the first half but the performance improved after the interval,” opined Suwal.
In the 33rd, fast but ‘selfish’ winger Tanka Basnet shot inches wide from the area for Army after dribbling past two defenders. In the 45th, Basnet was denied by a diving custodian Yogi and Meche fired inches above the bar on the follow-up. Army coach Suwal, however, denied that Basnet played selfishly. “Tanka could not pass the ball due to his high speed. It is difficult to scan other teammates and pass at such speed.”
In the 55th, Meche fired at the crossbar after beating the custodian in a one-on-one situation and Raju Tamang shot the rebound inches above the bar. On the hour mark, Kashiraj Karki shot wide in Basnet’s cross even though goalie Yogi was already beaten.
Today’s match
Three Star Vs MMC
Time: 15:10 NST
Venue: Dasharath Stadium
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