NRT registered a 4-1 comeback victory over the newly promoted, Kalimati-based United Youth Club.[break]
Army scored a goal in either half to register a 2-0 win over Bauddha Football Club, who have returned to top flight football after being relegated in 2063 BS.
United took a surprise lead in the 71st minute against NRT after both the teams had failed to break the deadlock in the first half. Bishwas Lama stunned NRT as his powerful one-touch strike from 35 yards entered the net after NRT custodian Binay Shrestha failed to release the ball properly.
NRT leveled the scoring five minutes later through substitute Rajiv Gurung, who later added one more goal to his account in stoppage time. Gurung had entered the ground in the 56th minute as a replacement for Rajan Adhikari. Ashim Jung Karki and skipper Roshan Lamichhane netted one each in the 85th and 87th minutes for NRT, the semifinalists of the previous edition.
United could not make any other attempts on goal during the whole match.
Despite his side´s impressive win, NRT boss Raju Shakya was not satisfied with the performance. "The boys did not follow my instructions and also lacked coordination," Shakya said. He, however, consoled himself saying, "It was difficult for them to adjust as it was their first match in the tournament." Shakya also assured that his side would perform better in the upcoming matches.
New Road Team (NRT) and United Youth Club players in action (Photo: Dipesh Shrestha)
United coach Narendra Shrestha lauded his team´s performance despite a short time for preparation. "We had aimed to play a draw and we had prepared for only 10 days." He blamed lack of experience for the defeat.
Army player Ram Kumar Biswas, who was assigned the role of forward in the absence of their regular striker Bikarna Shrestha, opened the scoring one minute before the interval in a competitive match. Utilizing a poor clearance from a Bauddha defender, Biswas made a quick and powerful low shot to send the ball into the far post.
The second goal for Army came from Raju Tamang who lashed an unstoppable 30-yard shot into Bauddha´s net after an exchange of clever and quick passes with Bhoj Raj Ghimire.
Despite having equal ball possession, Bauddha could not make a single attempt on target.
Army coach Dambar Singh Gurung said that his side failed to perform up to his expectations. "Our poor striking line-up could not open up and score due to lack of coordination," Gurung said.
His counterpart Kiran Shrestha, who is looking after a top flight team for the first time, rued that his players are physically weak. "The army players were physically stronger than us, and it was a drawback for our team. We also conceded goals due to our own mistakes."
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